The true meaning of Christmas can captivate even the youngest of children. Teaching children the story behind Christ's birth in a manger can be a joyful experience to all those involved.
I am privileged to teach at a Christian preschool. One of the great benefits of teaching at this school is being able to tell the story of Christ's birth during Christmas time. I used to teach in a private school where the story was not allowed. Being able to share the story with kids allows kids to learn so much about the fulfilled love of Christ.
With this responsibility comes the challenge of teaching such an amazing story to preschoolers on a level in which they will understand, memorize and learn. Here are a few of the ways I teach my preschoolers.
Story Time
I break the story down in sections starting the first day of December. Telling the story in smaller parts makes it easier for children to understand. I do read from the scripture first so that the kids get used to seeing the Bible as well as hearing scripture word for word. We may spend a day on Mary, then Joseph, then the birth and then the wise men. Telling about Herod may be a little much depending on the wording. I do tell my kids that a Mean King forced Mary and Joseph to flee. I then recite the story from the Play and Pray Bible. If you are a Christian teacher, this is really the best resource to have for stories. The Bible has great pictures, wording and provides songs and activities.
Other books we read are The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado; Who is Coming To Our House by Joseph Slate and This Is The Stable by Cynthia Cotton. It is important to make the story come alive for the children so you may wear a cloth or sheet over your head like Mary while you tell the story. Be sure and use a lot of passion in your voice when reading the scripture. Older preschoolers can even act out the story.
Art Time
Make a manger scene. We actually use stickers from Oriental Trading Company and allow the kids to place them on construction paper. I have also seen teachers cut out Nativity pictures from old Christmas cards for the kids to glue on paper to make their own scene.
Star Art. Have kids make stars with sponge paintings. Or cut out a giant star to paint with glitter. You can also tape a star to yellow construction paper and allow the children to use a roller to paint the paper black. Take up the star when the paint dries to reveal a gold star. Be sure to discuss how the wise men were led by a star to Jesus.
Make a crown. This can be done several ways. You can go buy gold crowns at USToy Company and allow the kids to glue jewels to the crown. You can also die cut crowns or ask Burger King to donate. Allow the kids to decorate the crown. Explain to the kids that you are learning about the birth of the Christ King.
Homeliving
Place a shoebox filled with hay in the homeliving center. Place a baby with blankets. Allow the kids to wrap the baby in swaddling blankets and place in the shoebox. Allow the kids to pretend to care for the baby.
Blocks
Add farm animals to the block area. Instruct kids to build the nativity scene. This is also a great center to put the Little People Nativity if your school owns one. If not, consider purchasing one for your school. The kids love it!
Sensory Table
Place hay in your sensory table. You can even place animals or a baby doll. Explain to the kids that Jesus was placed in hay when he was born. Ask them if they would like sleeping in the hay or in their bed.
Throw a Birthday Party
For a final day celebration, I throw a party. I explain to the kids that celebrating Christmas is celebrating the Jesus' birthday. We sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. We wear party hats and I decorate the room as if it was a birthday. We even have cake for snack and do confetti poppers. I explain that we should celebrate his birth daily.
Music
I teach my kids the Christmas Carols: Away In A Manger and the first verse of Silent Night. We then go class to class singing carols. During this time, I keep Christian carols on during lunchtime and free play time.
These are just a few suggestions. Feel free to share activities you do as well below in the comment section. Let the joy of Christmas be evident when you teach and the children will be excited to learn.
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