1. Worship and Learning ABC’s for Parents
Worship is one of the basic ways people learn
what it means to be Christian. Children learn
and Friends of Children
worship by worshipping with the congregation Arrive in time to find a good place to sit. Sitting
Sunday after Sunday. near the front will provide younger children with a
better view of the sanctuary.
They learn they belong to Christ and are
welcome in His Church. Bring quiet toys, books, or coloring books for
They learn to know the Lord’s Prayer and preschool and early elementary school age
other parts of the liturgy from memory. children.
They build a fund of memorable, shared
experiences of Christian community against
which they may draw when they are older.
They are enriched by the beauty of music and
Clue in children as to what will happen next in
worship. Children who can read will want to follow
the service in the Prayer Book and find hymns in
Making
art as expressions of praise and as human
responses to God.
They hear stories from the Bible read and
The Hymnal. Children like to be ready.
Room
Discuss worship at home to prepare children for
interpreted, and begin to see Christian
worship as one place where God may speak
any departures from the routine of worship such
as Baptism or other special features. Also give
for Children
in Church
to them.
time to answer questions about worship experi-
They witness the drama of Baptism and
ences.
Eucharist as signs of God’s kindness and
favor.
They discover that they are valued as
Express your gladness at having children in
persons by God and by the people of God at worship. During the Peace be sure to welcome the
Church. children near you. Include them in you conversa-
tions before and after worship to let them know
Bringing children to worship may not always be they belong.
easy, but it is an essential part of their growth
in Christ. The Body of Christ assembled is Free yourself from worry about children’s behav-
incomplete in their absence. We need children. ior and be open to receiving their ministry to you.
A Guide for Parents
and Friends of Children

2. Children at Worship The Preschool Child The Primary Child
Our parish family includes an increasing number Adults may question the wisdom of including The school-age child brings some new abilities to
of families with children. The inclusion of these preschool children in worship. It is true that they worship:
children in worship is of great importance. sometimes distract those around them and A greater capacity for attentive listening.
distress parents by their behavior. But as An increasing ability to read.
We welcome children to worship by: members of the family, they are needed by all of The ability to organize and memorize infor-
Providing a family worship service each us to complete the circle at God’s table. mation.
Sunday;
Encouraging families to bring their children The preschool child comes to worship with: Parents help the primary child toward greater
of all ages to the family worship. Children are A short attention span, participation in worship as these capacities
an important and welcomed part of our Seemingly endless energy, develop when they:
worshipping community; A growing curiosity about everything.
Providing child care for infants and toddlers Help memorize the Lord’s Prayer and other
through age two during worship and urging While these ingredients can combine to test the parts of the liturgy.
parents to slip out at the time of The patience of adults, there are several things Review the bulletin with the child to identify
Communion of the People to pick up their parents can do to make the preschooler’s new or difficult words and preview together
infants and toddlers so that they can go to experience—and everyone’s—more relaxed and those parts where the congregation re-
the altar rail as a family; enjoyable: sponds by reading and speaking.
Encouraging older children to participate in Invite the child to follow the liturgy in the
worship as acolytes and choir members; Sit near the front where the child can have a book Holy Communion for Children.
Encouraging parents to take their children clear view of the sanctuary. Find hymns in The Hymnal and go over the
to the vestibule for a break whenever needed Prepare the child for the different parts of words.
and to use the resources listed elsewhere in the worship service, explaining special events Talk about the sermon and ask the primary
this brochure; ahead of time and answering questions that child what he or she remembers best about
Providing children’s bulletins for young need an answer “right now” in a whisper. it.
children based on the Gospel lesson and Allow the preschooler to bring along a Encourage the child to listen to the sermon
having picture and storybooks on a table in favorite stuffed animal, picture books, for stories, answers to questions or impor-
the back of the church; coloring books or other quiet toys to play tant thoughts.
Modeling appropriate church behavior for with when they get bored. Make use of those
children by teaching them to stand, sit, or provided in the back of the church.
kneel with the congregation. Encourage as much adult-like behavior as
An effective teaching method is to gradually the child can tolerate. Allow children to be
lengthen the time a child remains in church. active within limits of the situation, as long
Children can usually be expected to participate as the activity is not distracting others.
in an entire service in an orderly manner by the Use the quiet time of church as a chance for
time they enter second grade. a special togetherness of parents and child
which may not be possible during the week.
A sensitivity to the preschooler’s abilities and
needs can help make worship a pleasant experi-
ence for everyone.