25 Days of Christmas: If At First You Don't Succeed .. Try Again!

I have learned a lot in the last few weeks about what works and doesn't work for teaching toddlers ... at least my toddler!  I mentioned in this post, that we planned on using a wooden Advent calendar.  I loved the way my cute calendar looked, but of course he was way more interested in getting the candy than reading the verse and I didn't feel there was enough repetition for him to really "get" what we were teaching.  I decided to go "old school" and make a felt board.  I went online and printed out characters and headed to the teacher supply store to have them laminated where I found this wonderful bulletin board set that I decided to use instead.  I was able to get felt and Velcro at Wal-Mart and our felt board was done!  We have really loved using this board.  We walk through the scripture each night and move the pieces on and off the board.  I have gotten over the fact that it isn't the most beautiful holiday decoration.  This works for us this year and next year may be a totally different story when I have two different ages trying to learn.

Our story pieces

The felt board

Mary riding on a donkey with Joseph to Bethlehem.  Of course this doesn't look quite right, but a 3 year old doesn't know that!

D placing the shepherds

And Baby Jesus

I have also see a few other ideas in the blog world that I think are great and that we might use next year!  This Advent Book that Grace Full Mama shared builds on the passage in Luke each day so that by the end of the month, the kids have mostly memorized the scripture.  I also love Truth in the Tinsel.  Each day you read the Christmas story from the  Bible and make a craft or ornament together.


What have you used to teach your children this year?  Do you have ideas for teaching toddlers?  Older children?