A Manual for All Ages
February 24, 2012
If you hear the words “nursery manual” and think of a book just for teaching small children, you might want to take a closer look. Behold Your Little Ones, the Church’s manual for teaching nursery, is great for nursery… and a whole lot more! Its clear and simple lessons teach doctrinal concepts in a way that can bless any age, and beautiful pictures and activities reinforce the principles taught. It can be the basis for great family home evening lessons. Children themselves can use it effectively to teach. Many families are finding that when children teach, they become active and willing participants on Monday night.
For more great ideas on how to effectively use this valuable resource, read “Much More Than a Nursery Manual” in the March 2012 Ensign. You will find testimonies of families who successfully use this manual as a resource to solve challenges, teach children with disabilities, and help young children recognize the Spirit. You may find that the nursery manual does offer much more than you expected, and it may be just what you’ve been looking for!
Preparing for Baptism
By Tiffany Lewis
February 17, 2012
In preparation for my son’s baptism, we sat down and read “Journey to Baptism” from the October 2006 Friend. I love that it relates children’s experiences in their own words. The article opened up some great discussion about how my son could prepare for his baptism. We then read “Questions and Answers about Baptism” from the August 2008 Friend.
After his baptism, I encouraged my son to write in his journal about the experience, as I did when I was eight years old. I wanted him to remember that his older brother played the hymns, and that his grandpas gave the talks. Most especially, I wanted him to remember how he felt going under the water and then receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.
“Your mission, should you choose to accept it…”
By Jocelyn Christensen
February 10, 2012
February can be quite cold and overcast in our part of the world, so to brighten up our days we dedicate the month to serving others. It’s fun to look around and identify family and friends who could use a little extra love. This February, we will be joining the “Secret Service,” as suggested by the February 1982 Friend.
To help our little agents complete their missions to serve others, I prepared a Secret Service notebook for each child to write down the names of people they would like to serve and what they will do to help them. The coldest month of the year is becoming the most heart-warming!
Getting Creative with Scripture Figures
By Hilary Watkins Lemon
February 3, 2012
You probably noticed the Book of Mormon Scripture Figures on the inside back cover of February’s Friend. The issue also has some great ideas for using the scripture figures. For example, you could laminate or glue your figures on to cardstock so they last longer, or glue magnets to your figures for spontaneous play on the refrigerator door.
Leaders and teachers might find the scripture figures especially useful this year, since older children are studying the Book of Mormon in their Primary classes. Families with younger children can listen to the Book of Mormon stories online while acting out the scenes with the scripture figures.
