Age-based FHE (17 months) - Our Spirits

Sophia LOVES balloons (or as she calls them- "boons") and we happened to have some flying around this week due to a certain man's birthday (age undisclosed). So she had been playing with these for a few days and I wanted to incorporate that in to our lesson. So we learned about our spirits.

So the balloon = our spirit.  Before we came to Earth, we lived with God as spirits.

When we came to Earth, we got a body. Towel=body. We need to come a get a body so we could learn things and make good choices.

Then when we die, our Spirit leaves our body, so we can go be with God again.

Sophia got the hang of it and had fun :D

Age-based FHE (17 months) - The Liahona

Age-based FHE #3

Sophia has been walking a ton this last week, and really getting to be an expert. Thinking about lots of walking, I thought of Lehi and his family in the Book of Mormon. They wandered in the wilderness and followed the Liahona. So we had a lesson on the Liahona. 

Yellow ball = Liahona

We'd let Sophia toss the ball, and then walk after it across the Wilderness (our backyard)- we all followed the 'Liahona' where it led us.

As we played this little game of fetch, we talked about how Lehi and his family were in the wilderness and didn't know which way to go. Then God gave them this compass  of sorts (the Liahona) to direct them. It was dependent on their righteousness, it would only work when they were being good. 

We compared that to us and when we are good, we can feel the Holy Ghost more, and be directed in what we need to do. 

Another fun and simple activity. We celebrated by ringing the wind chimes.

Age-based FHE (17 months)- The Pioneers

Alright- second edition of  age-based FHE 

One of Sophia's past times lately has been pushing things around. Her chairs, stools, her little train- anything. So I decided we'd learn about the Mormon pioneers this week, and how they pushed their handcarts across the plains.

First we loaded up our 'handcart' (just a basket we use for groceries at the Farmer's Market- you really could use anything). I let her choose whatever she wanted to put in it. She chose some books and a blanket- good choices! I explained the pioneers were not able to stay in their homes because of their religion, so they had to pack everything up they could carry in to handcarts and wagons. God wanted them to go and start a new home across the Great Plains so they could be free to practice their religion.

Getting ready to push her handcart.

This cart was actually a little big for her to push with all that stuff, so she opted to use her train to 'cross the plains'. It actually worked out to compare that to how hard it was for the pioneers, and that they had to rely on God and their faith.

Sophia 'crossed the plains' (aka our living room)- I explained that it was really hard for the pioneers. Many people didn't make it, but they knew God would take care of them. Just like he took care of the pioneers, he'll help us when we have to do something hard.

Finally they reached their new home, and were very happy - for Sophia her 'promised land' was snack time.

Simple and fun.

Thanks for feedback on this!

Age-based FHE (17 months) - Manna from Heaven

So in our religion we are encouraged to set aside one night a week to spend time as a family. It's called Family Home Evening (FHE). It usually consists of some type of spiritual thought/lesson, a fun activity, and a yummy treat at the end. It is a great tradition that I do believe helps keep families strong. But teaching a toddler about the scriptures or God can be a little... ummm... difficult. So I've started doing something in the last few weeks that has been great. Instead of just doing a lesson that is way over her head, I try and base the lesson on what Sophia likes to/is capable of doing. That way she is involved and is having fun.

 The first time I tried this, Sophia was really in to building blocks and knocking them down. So why not tell the story of the Battle of Jericho with her blocks?! Get the idea? So I've shared my ideas with several of my friends and family members, and have gotten such good feedback that I decided I'm going to try and start documenting them here, so others can hopefully be helped from them too. 

I'm NOT about to become one of those "Mormon Mommy Bloggers"- don't worry. This is just a fun documentation of something we do as a family, that others may enjoy and find useful. Let me know if you like it.

So this week I was thinking how Sophia loves to collect things. Like pick things up and put them in a basket, bowl or purse. So when I thought of  stories of people collecting things, I thought of the Israelites who wandered through the wilderness. They were starving out in the dessert and God sent them manna each morning for them to collect for the day to live on. 

Small paper plates= manna

Sophia and I went around and collected the plates (manna) in to her basket while I told the story of the Israelites.

Then I explained that God will always take care of us, and give us what we need, just like He gave them manna. But we do have to do some work, like the Israelites having to go and collect it.

Sophia loved our game so much...

...she took the plates out and we did it all over again!