For Parents of Little Ones

Your children may have heard the Primary song that says, “Reverence is more than just quietly sitting.” And yet they may think that “being reverent” just means “hold still and be quiet.” How can you help little ones experience the deeper, sweeter blessings of reverence?

Here are some ideas:

1. Point out times when they are feeling a sense of awe and reverence—gently holding a newborn baby, stargazing for the first time, or hearing a story about Jesus. “How do you feel inside? Can you tell me about those warm feelings? That is reverence.”

2. Teach them words that go along with reverence. Words like love, respect, or thankfulness. For older children, you might ask them to draw pictures of those words.

3. Help them think about how being reverent helps others listen. “When you are trying to listen to a story, does it help if others are quiet? What if others are noisy?” Explain that they can help church be a reverent, happy place where people listen and learn about Heavenly Father.

4. Little ones need lots of practice being reverent. Set a timer for a minute or two and invite them to listen to soft music or a story about Jesus. Share your feelings of reverence and love.

You can read past letters at FriendFPLO.lds.org.