Play is Practice for Life Skills: Preschool

Two children, embodying the idea that play is practice for life skills even in preschool years, are bundled in winter clothing and building a snowman. The child on the left sports a blue hat and red gloves, while the one on the right dons a white beanie. Stick arms and a carrot-like nose adorn their frosty creation as snow blankets the ground.

According to Fred Rogers, minister, television personality, and author, “Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning.” When children play, they are practicing and learning about new skills and concepts. Playtime puts these life skills into practice. Preschool play-based programs are incredibly beneficial for young children, integrating playtime to incorporate intentional and…

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5 Tips to Equip an Anxious Child

A child, seemingly anxious, sits on a wooden bench, holding a large, fluffy teddy bear close. Wearing a beige sweater and striped pants, their hands gently clasp the bear. The softly lit scene creates a cozy atmosphere amidst the child's quiet unease.

The plan was to get the group of old college friends together over the holidays. You’d been looking forward to it for weeks, regaling the kids with stories of all the fun you had in school and assuring them of a host of new friends. A great time for everyone! But when you arrived at…

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Brick Builders Bible for LEGO Lovers

A festive scene with a book titled "Brick Builders" and a totally cool Bible for kids on a wooden table. Nearby, wrapped presents with red ribbons sit beside a Christmas tree. A decorative truck and birch logs in a container complete the cozy, holiday setting.

Introducing the Brick Builders Illustrated Bible, just in time for Christmas. This is a totally cool bible for kids! Brick Builders Illustrated Bible is a kid friendly, colorful bible. The book contains both Old Testament and New Testament stories from God’s Word in language children will easily understand. All the illustrations are created from bricks, LEGOTM bricks. This…

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J.I.N.G.L.E. Keeping CHRIST in Christmas

A cheerful child smiles in front of a festive Christmas backdrop. Red stockings hang above, alongside a decorated garland with pine cones, bows, and beads. The child wears a gray sweater over a checkered shirt, capturing the essence of Christmas joy.

With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s easy to become busier, impatient, frustrated, and generally overwhelmed with all that needs to be done. Shopping for family members and extended family, planning special meals, decorating the house, and serving at both church and school makes each day a marathon. Working overtime to get the…

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Advent Calendar Ideas for College Kids

A box filled with wrapped gifts resembles advent calendars for college kids, each marked with a December date. The packages boast festive wrapping designs, while bright green sticky notes highlight dates like December 7, 10, 14, 18, and 20.

There’s power in traditions. Rituals bind families together, create special memories, and provide a link between the generations. Each family has a distinctive take on common traditions and unique rituals as well. Faith traditions are especially important to impart values and instill beliefs in children. Advent calendars are apart of many families’ preparation for Christmas.…

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Glorify God in the Fires

A heavily charred and burnt room with stone walls, containing various melted, destroyed household items. The ceiling is mostly collapsed, while an open window frames green foliage outside. Amidst the blackened debris, a silent reminder to glorify God in the fires... Isaiah 24:15 KJV.

Wherefore glorify ye the Lord in the fires… Isaiah 24:15  KJV This past summer and early fall have been filled with emotion. The family cabin was struck by lightning, caught fire, and burned. Ironically, the only thing salvageable was the wrought iron wood rack and a stack of dry oak. My parents purchased the dilapidated…

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Thanksgiving Activity for Kids!

A wooden table set for Thanksgiving dinner features a partially cut pumpkin pie, a slice with whipped cream, braided bread loaf, and a drink in a glass. Decorated with autumn leaves and charming napkin rings, an eager hand holds fork and knife ready to indulge.

Thanksgiving Dinner Napkin Rings Get your kids involved with dinner preparations with the FREEBIE below! Use kid scissors to cut out each verse card. Glue the verses to strips of card stock or cardboard. Kids can  decorate the strips with crayons. Bend verse cards in a circle. Secure with tape. Another option is to use…

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Be Thankful for Our Nation

The image showcases the seated statue of Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., illuminated at night. The inscription above honors Lincoln's role in preserving the Union, urging all to give thanks in all circumstances for his enduring legacy.

Give thanks all circumstances! In 1863, Abraham Lincoln made the day of thanks official during the Civil War. It makes me think of Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). President Lincoln found a way…

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7 Tips for a Neighborhood Friendly Halloween

Two neighborhood children are joyfully carving pumpkins at a table. The girl, wearing a floral dress, pulls out seeds, and the boy in a blue shirt holds pumpkin pulp. Cookies and fruits adorn the table as "Halloween" shines brightly in the background.

Do you know the families in your neighborhood? Maybe you’re new to the area. Perhaps your little one is going trick-or-treating for the first time, so the holiday is a bit more exciting. Be intentional this Halloween in connecting with the neighbors, both the children and the parents who come to the door by using…

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God in the Pumpkin Patch… Halloween FREEBIE!

A pumpkin rests on an orange backdrop featuring Christian text about God's love, a Bible verse, John 8:12 ESV, and mentions of Jesus. The text likens Christians to pumpkins and explores themes of cleansing, removing sin, and shining God's light.

Christians are like pumpkins in the patch, loved by the Creator and designed to shed LIGHT on a dark world. Get your SHINE this Halloween on because God loves you! Download God in the Pumpkin Patch! SHINE with this FREEBIE! © 2018 Becky Danielson. All rights reserved. If you’ve been encouraged by this post, please…

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