Toddler Kalli looked at me sternly and yelled, “Go away!”  complete with shoving motions. 

Oh my!  Wherever did she learn that?!  I soon found out.   It was from her daddy and a Bible story!

That evening, I overheard Tim telling her a bedtime Bible story from The Story of Jesus  I was so proud to hear how he had turned that little picture book into an interactive experience for her…until I heard them yelling in unison, “Go away!”
What?! 
They had come to the part of the story where children were coming to Jesus.  The book says that His friends said, “Go away” and they had been really getting into the part!

Ha, it took a simple correction of just reminding Kalli that we don’t talk that way to other people.

But, my take-away was the value of turning a simple preschool Bible story into an active learning time! 
Here’s how Tim did it.

• Motions and preschool words for The Story of Jesus:
  (Suggestions are page by page)*Hug yourself to show how much Jesus loves us.
  *Pat the nativity picture and say “Happy Birthday, Jesus!”
  *Walk in place going to church for Easter.
  *Point and count the 12 disciples.
  *Pat someone and say “Jesus loves you!”
  *Say, “Go away!” and make shewing motions (if you dare!)
  *Say, “Come on!” and make “come here” motions with your hands.
  *Pat boy in picture and say, “Feel better!”
  *Rub tummy like hungry.  Count rolls and fish in picture.
  *Say, “Here ya’ go!” and pretend to share with your hands.
  *Make praying hands.
  *Read the words and encourage your preschooler to repeat along as well.  This is based on 1 John 4:19.  With repetition of this book your little one will have learned this Bible verse!

We love because he first loved us.  1 John 4:19

Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”  Matthew 19:13-14

For more ideas on bringing Scripture into the everydayness of every day,
see your copy of Parenting with Scripture: A Topical Guide for Teachable Moments.