Young Children's Faith Development

From the Open Files of:

NW Synod of Wisconsin Resource Center (715) 833-1153

Contributed by:

Arlene Wright, Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Chippewa Falls, WI
Young Children's Faith Development  

Birth to age Two

Trust is the earliest of the developmental stages. Young children between the ages of birth and two years learn to trust by being physically comfortable, receiving love and attention and knowing they are cherished for who they are. The extent that the child learns to trust or mistrust contributes to later faith development. Images of god carried into adulthood are strongly influenced by the presence of hope.

Children between the ages of birth to two need to learn that:

  1. Adults in their home environment and church environment care about who they are.
  2. Adults can be trusted to care for them physically and emotionally
  3. Children are valued and excepted as part of the church family.

Infants give our church family the gift of newness and discovery. Children provide us with "wonder" that brings us close to God.

Three years to Five years

Early childhood religious experience of God's love is an essential building block for later stages of faith. Young children may not find out everything they need to know about God, but it may be the time when they are most open to God's message of love, wonder, and peace (Parish Teacher, Nov. 1992).

Characteristics of children age three to five:

  1. Egocentric-do not differentiate their perspective from others; center on self and their own experiences.
  2. Difficulty distinguishing make-believe from fact.
  3. Stories are a series of details, Stories do not stand alone and have meaning.
  4. Tell "who" they are by telling stories of their own experiences. They have a hard time reflecting on the stories and drawing meanings from them.
  5. Construct knowledge by actively experiencing their world.

Faith development for children three to six:

  1. God is seen as stern and powerful but a just parent and ruler.
  2. Can grasp idea of God by telling the story about God.
  3. Can not grasp forgiveness or grace.
  4. Fascinated by God who is invisible and lives in an in accessible realm and is everywhere as a loving God.
  5. Understanding of God - Feelings of terror and guilt as well as love and unity (this stage can form deep ongoing and long lasting emotional images - both good and bad).

What can we do as a family?

Share biblical stories.

wonder together about the meaning and implications of biblical stories.

Listen for distortion of moralism e. g. "If I am good God will love me."

Use open ended statements and ask questions e.g. What if, What might happen, Tell me about.

Be a model; what we say and do is important

Pray and thank God together

Talk and think about God as the creator who provides love and cares for us.

Children age three to five need to learn:

  1. God loves and cares for us.
  2. God loves us so much that he sent Jesus to save us from our sins.
  3. God made people in a special way as a special part of his creation.
  4. We are all part of God's family.
  5. God is with us wherever we go.
  6. We need to care for God's creation.
  7. We all need to thank and praise God.
  8. We learn about God through listening to faith stories and bible stories.
  9. We need to retell the story of God and Jesus to other.
[ PRESCHOOL ] • [ HOME ]

© Copyright 2001 by the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin Resource Center. Please see our usage policy.

NW Synod of Wisconsin Resource Center