Glory Kids Dinner Theater

Share the positive message of faithful obedience and loving God with family and friends at our next Family Fun Event. This Friday, May 2, the Glory Kids Children's Choir will present "Babble at Babel," a modern day story of the Tower of Babel. 

Preschool Place

Here's a fun treat to make as you teach your preschooler about patience. 

Frozen Fruit Treats

A Cooking Adventure

1 banana, sliced or

1 cup of your child's favorite fruit, sliced into bite-sized pieces

1 cup fruit juice

What To Do

• Help your child pour all the ingredients into a blender. Cover it and let the child push the button to make the blender whirl. Continue blending until the ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
• Pour the mixture into small cups. Help your child stand a plastic spoon or craft stick in each cup.
• Place the cups in the freezer.
• When frozen, eat.

Teaching Patience

• Is your child having a hard time waiting for this sweet treat? Together, come up with a list of constructive ways to fill the time until the frozen treats are ready. Then do some of the things on that list together.
• Compliment any signs of patience your child exhibits when waiting for the treats. Patience, after all, is built slowly. Your child has to start somewhere.
• Read the story from a preschool Bible of how Abraham and Sarah waited patiently for their son, Isaac. (Gen. 12:1-8, 21:1-5)
• Learn this Bible verse together, "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him." Ps. 37:7a

How Children Learn to Be Patient

Age Three

Three-year-olds are impatient and still in the beginning stages of learning self-control. A three-year-old can learn much about patience by experiencing a calm and patient environment. At three, a rush, rush, "hurry-up" atmosphere intensifies the already movement- oriented, short-attention-span, "I want it now" approach to life. Being patient with a dawdler and displaying a calm attitude in the home sets the stage for experiencing patience. A three-year-old child understands concrete examples. Rather than saying, "Be patient," say, "We'll have a snack when everyone is sitting quietly at the table." Or, "I'll get the ball for you when I finish tying Sara's shoe." If required to wait a long time, a three-year-old will wait more patiently if she is distracted or guided into activities that take the focus off "waiting." Singing songs while waiting in line makes the wait more manageable.

Age Four

Four-year-olds are learning to direct their own activities. Tell a four-year-old, "We will read a book when the big hand is straight up on the clock. You can help pick up the blocks while you are waiting." You can be a good model of patience and self-distraction; instead of watching your child work on a task, step off to the side and calmly sort puzzle pieces, rearrange toys, or organize supplies. Help a four-year-old through a frustrating task by breaking it into steps, praising him for problem solving, and encouraging him to try again later if he decides to quit.

Age Five

A five-year-old can better practice patience when told how long to wait and why. Her understanding of time and comparisons is expanding. You can tell a five-year-old, "The bus will arrive in half an hour. That's how long this show is on TV." You can help children increase their patience by designing projects or activities with delayed rewards. Planting a garden or earning points toward a reward for reading books are activities that teach patience, perseverance, and delayed gratification.

Source: More Faith-Building with Preschoolers by Linda Prenzlow and Ilene Allinger Candreva