Christianity Oasis Forum

[Timothy]

comfy, Lani, two great posts! Thank you.

After trying so hard for so long and not seeing the fruits one desires,
one can become discouraged and closed to...a new day. There is always tomorrow, an new day, another possiblilty, - hope.

I'm going to follow up on what comfy wrote and try to offer practicle "how to" ideas.

I believe we need to break concepts down to the smallest degree. Then go thru each step, one step at a time, building upon the previous. Some times the things we do come so natural to us, we forget there is a process. First things must be first. (this is biblical) Then the next, etc. Ever think about what it takes to eat? It comes so natural to many off us, yet there is a process. Or to get dressed? We learn by one step at a time.

Kirsten, your son and mine are litteral thinkers.
They also are visual learners. Just talking, lecturing, does nothing for them. Try to lecture to a deaf person. How much do you think they will understand? Or comfy's example of the dog. Actual hands on experience, see it in front of them, touching it, holding it, using it, watching it, are all individual steps to understanding it.

Take comfy's idea of the animal petting farm.
The lamb and the dog examples.
Show the things comfy wrote about but with out speaking. How can that be communicated with out words. Use hands on experiences or pictures much like the Discovery channel. Much like catroons use pictures to show a process of thought, one picture at a time. ( try this; watch a kid's cartoon with out the sound. Can you still follow the story? ) How did your son learn to drive his car? Did he know all ready, before he tried for the first time? Was there a hands on experience? A process of trial and error? Did someone show him "if you do this, then this will happen?" How did he learn to get dressed? How did he learn to eat? Did some one have to work with him teaching each step? Did he learn by watching others?

Then there is the unexplainable connection, relating, between animals and humans. Like dolphins or horses. There seems to be a special connection of some sorts between our children and these animals. I don't know the science behind it, but it has been shown time and time again that special connections and understandings are made. There are therapies with old people in senior homes and dogs. The joy it brings to the seniors works wonders for their health. ( and no words needed, just the experience ) As Lani pointed out: There is something that goes on, in the inside, that our children can't verbalize. But it is happening.

Perhaps something like this?
Step one: Go to an animal petting farm with lambs
Step two: pet, feed, play, observe the animal(s)
Step three: draw picture(s) of the animal(s) - or - use those craft foam things to make a "picture" -or - create your own cartoon?
Step four: buy a stuffed toy lamb, have child help with that - or - knitt or croche' one. ( make one with yarn and stuffing ) ( a puppet maybe?)
Step five: the parent act out some sort of sceen with the things created.
Step six: invite the child to participate in the activity. If not in a game sort of activity, then perhaps in a practicle way? Takes some thought.
Step seven: etc...

Parents, You know your child best. Use your own thoughts on how you might demonstrate an idea in a way your child can understand. Sometimes we may need to just sit back and observe our children doing what they do to learn about how it is that they learn. Look back at past experiences and evaluate those situations. Incorporate those lessons into future activity. It will take thought, time, and effort (see Lani's other posting in her thread on Jesus' question in this forum.)

Parents, look for books, movies, on the subject you want your child to learn. Look in a christian book store, look in online book stores, look in
on line cartoon sites, look in the Christianity Oasis C-O-O-L Mall.

Everyone - I just found this today! I don't know how long it has been here but it is bran new to me. There is a great story called 'Little Lamb' written by Cindy Wilson. Is listed as (item?) 3008. aprox half way down the page.

http://www.christianityoasis.com/Keyword/ChildBooks.htm
(if I did this link thing wrong, look it up in the COOL Mall or in the Christianity Oasis announcement forum at the very top of the forums)

There are no pictures, that I know of, so pictures of some sorts would be good to add. If you are not good at illustrations yourself, see if you can find someone who is gifted in such things. ah, ah, AHHHstargazer777choo!
Excuse me, must be alergies?

I encourage everyone to read this heart touching short story.
Exactly what comfy was writting about in his post:
> ....I'm thinking how Jesus being the Lamb has to do with how a lamb is - little > the child age > and Jesus says He wants us to be as little children... <

(I'm tired, been up too long. If I missed something, I'll come back to it later. Thanks to everyone for sharing and correcting. Keep it coming as this is a process, not a simple or absolute answer. - Timothy )

[Kirsten]

The big problem is that my son does not want anything to do with religion,church,etc.He is using swearwords.This moment i can only lift him up in prayer and be a example.Unfortunate his dad is not a great example for him and he want to be the big guy just as his dad.That is a great sorrow for me.

Kirsten

[Lani]

Hey Kirsten,

Understood... Standing in prayer with you (for your son, your family and you).

The Lord will guide you. You are an amazing example which is a great testament for others to see.

I look forward to seeing more posts from you soon!!

God Bless and Keep you always!

Peace and Luv in Christ,
Lani

[Kirsten]

Thanks for your prayer Hi i Lani.Praying for you and your family as well

Kirsten

[momof3]

hi Kirsten, sis. Its good to see you. God bless you, my sister.

i wanted to share a story with you. Many years ago, we were dealing with some very tough issues with my son and his health. He had been hospitalized yet again...i dont even remember how many times he'd been there before. I was almost at the end of any hope. This particular Sunday, the Lord led me to church instead of the hospital that morning. We had a guest speaker that week. In this man's young adult life, beginning in his teens, he had been involved in drugs, alcohol, and everything he was big enough to do. His mom worried and prayed, and begged him to go to church with her every week. He always insisted he wanted nothing to do with God or His will in his life. One day, while this mom was praying the Lord told her to stop begging him to go to church. He told her that this young man was His, and He knew how to reach him. Over the next several weeks, this young man was relieved that his mom wasnt hounding him to go with her. Not too long after that though, he started believing that the only person who ever really cared for him had stopped caring. Truth is, she had simply given him back to the Lord and kept praying for him. The Lord delivered this young man from everything he had been involved in and led him in His will for his life.

Keep praying for you son, my sister. The fervent prayers of a believer availeth much. God hears your prayers for your son and He knows how to reach him. The same way He reaches us. Rest in the fact that the same God who saved us is also the Father of your son. Im praying with you, sis. I know its scary, but He does know him and love him more than even we as parents can love them.

in Jesus,
love momo

[Kirsten]

Thanks for sharing this story and your prayer momof3.

[realtmg]

Amen Momof!!