Articles The Quiet Time Box .jpg) The “box” can be anything that you can conveniently tuck away each day. I prefer to use a small suitcase.
Sit your child in front of you in a bumper seat or propped up on the floor so that you can get down on his level. The routine lasts about ten to fifteen minutes and is done at least three times a week—daily, if possible. As your child grows, you can extend the time and activities according to his skills.
A typical Quiet Time Box ™ routine is presented below using basic items. Suggested things to say or sing to your infant are in italics. (Most of the suggested songs are readily available from a children’s songbook.) You will undoubtedly come up with your own. With infants, keep the routine consistent, but you can vary it as the child grows.
1. Hold up one finger and move it back and forth like a clock ticking. (When my kids were little, we used a musical wind-up toy clock. The ticking and song drove my husband crazy). Sing a little tune (if I can do it, you can too!):
It’s time for quiet time again, tick-tock, tick tock.
It’s time for quiet time again, tick-tock, tick tock.
It’s time for quiet time right now here we go, tick-tock.
If you can find a musical toy clock such as I used, rearrange these words to fit the tune of the toy. If not, just make up a tune. Soon your child will begin to respond to the song by raising his finger in a tick-tock motion.
2. Hold up a small Bible or a homemade “Bible” of pictures depicting well-known stories like Adam and Eve, Creation, Noah and the birth of Jesus.
The Bible has two parts: The Old Testament and the New Testament. Hold up two fingers, one on each hand. At first touch your child’s fingers to emphasize the two parts. Later your child will hold up his own fingers.
Sing the song B-I-B-L-E.
The Old Testament tells us stories about Creation and Noah.
Sing the song Arky, Arky.
3. Show your child seven pictures illustrating the different days of the Creation story.
Sing the Creation Song (see Appendix B).
4. God said let there be light, just by His Word, so now we have different colors. Use blocks or rings to teach colors. Say the colors as you or child stack the rings.
And God said it was good!
5. Place a variety of small animals in a round oatmeal box. Sing the Animal Song (see Appendix B) as you encourage your child to pull animals out of the box one at a time.
6. Other objects depicting the creation that can be placed in the box are artificial flowers and a variety of plastic fruits. Tell your child that God made many wonderful things for us to enjoy. As your child grows, add objects and activities according to his skill level. For example, add puzzles of animals, food or plants to the creation story.
7. Put together a picture book or purchase a book in which a child is.jpg) emphasizing different body parts. As you turn the pages say in a sing-song voice,
God made me! God made me!
Two eyes! Blinking eyes! See you with my own two eyes!
(Touch the baby’s facial features as you name the parts. Child will soon be naming them himself.)
Left ear! Right ear! I can hear with my two ears! (Ring a rattle or bell by child’s ears.)
I have a nose! I can smell a sweet rose! (Use an artificial rose sprayed with perfume for child to smell).
Two hands, two hands! I can clap my own two hands. (Clap child’s hands.)
Two arms, two arms! I can hug you with my two arms. (Hug child.)
Two legs, two legs! I like to kick with my two legs! (Touch baby’s legs).
8. Now let’s talk about the New Testament. The New Testament tells us about Jesus. Show the child a picture of Jesus as a baby. To the familiar tune of “Happy Birthday” sing:
Baby Jesus was born,
Baby Jesus was born,
Baby Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
Say: Just as you were born a baby, Jesus was born as a baby too.
9. Jesus grew to be a man and He loves you. Place a small hand mirror in front of your child and sing “Jesus Loves Me.” Who does Jesus love? He loves [child’s name]. Jesus loves everyone!
10. Show the child a variety of pictures of children from around the world. I had a nesting toy that was the shape of the world with little children that fit inside. Sing “Jesus Loves the Little Children.”
11. The greatest thing Jesus did for us was to die on the cross. Show the child a picture of Jesus on the cross. But He did not stay dead in the grave. He rose and went to heaven. Cut and paste a picture of Jesus ascending in the clouds (easily found in a child’s coloring book) onto a plastic straw. As you talk to your child, slowly raise the picture up above your child’s head. (He’ll follow your movements.) Come back soon, Lord Jesus. Praise the Lord! Raise your hands in praise. Your child will soon imitate your actions.
12. Have your child fold his hands in praying position. Let’s pray. Thank You, Lord, for Your Bible that tells us about Jesus, Your Son.
Watch this short video clip for a sample of a The Quiet Time Box ™
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