Customer Reviews

Guiding your Catholic preschooler

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This was one of the first books I read after the birth of our first child, and I am so glad I stumbled across it! The author gives concrete examples and a myriad of suggestions on ways to incorporate our faith into our everyday moments with our little ones. My oldest is now 4, and she and her two younger siblings still recite the prayers every night that this book suggested. I give this inexpensive book as a gift to new mothers, and I would urge other Catholic moms of small chidren to keep this on the bedside table for repeated reference.

I just received this book as a gift and have read most of it. The sugggestions are so simple and "do-able". I have a 15 month old and I was having trouble knowing what I could be doing to instill the Catholic faith at such a young age. Turns out there are many things, such as showing her how to kiss the crucifix at the beginning and end of each day, make the sign of the cross, etc. Wonderful sections on prayer, holy seasons, tv and the media, and even secular holidays. Highly recommended!!

The Sacrifice of the Mass is not to be made on this altar, but it is there as a place to keep your holy reminders and sacramentals. Perhaps it could be something as simple as a table, or the top of a dresser (as it is in my apartment), where you keep your Bible, some rosaries, and a crucifix. "Complete blinding obedience?" How is perfect obedience to our Church's teachings bad? This is what it is to be Catholic--to be loyal followers of Christ in *all areas* of our lives.

This book is very thorough, and would be just what any Catholic, loyal to the Magisterium, would need in fostering a true love of the Faith in their children. As a matter of fact, what I liked most about it, is that it isn't wishy-washy. At our children's baptisms, we make the promise to raise our children in the Faith. This book will help you do this with your little ones. We should be raising little Saints! That is our purpose as Catholic parents!

As others have reviewed that it is not worth the buy, I would have to say I disagree. If you are a new parent (or a new Catholic or been away from the church with young kids) this is a quick, easy, foundation book on which to build. When I had my first child this was so great for me as a place to start. As busy parents who normally don't have time to delve into a deep, theological book, this is a non-intimidating and inspiring quick read. It is a can-do, apply now, type of book that many parents will enjoy and feel they can put into practice without having to "do" anything. I highly recommend this book, and often give it as a gift for new babies, families etc. it is low cost which is also a bonus! From a mom of SIX beautiful kids--ages 10 down to 2.5 year twins!!

Contray to the other reviews I want to say this book brings simplicity to the teaching of the faith, just what parents of young children need. If you are looking for big ideas and lesson plans for your preschooler this is not for you. But if you are looking to blessing your little ones with the simple beauty of daily living the faith then this is the book to begin with. Things like learning the sign of the cross may seem common sense to some but to others who are converts to the Catholic Church, new parents who have never had little ones to look after, and those who are returning to the faith and were not well catechized, well we need this book.
Very young children need things that are beautiful and simple to lead them gently to God and His Church. Things as simple as lighting a candle at prayer time, having a family altar to display statues of saints especially on their feast day bring the faith into their daily life, changing the color of the cloth that covers the altar to discuss the liturgical colors (and kids are just learning their colors during the preschool years) these are things that make the faith, what it should be LIVED DAILY. There of course will be more to learn but introducing them with little thoughts, prayers and remembrances as this book advises will make the faith real, alive and obedience to the teachings of the Church will not be the problem that many adults have with obedience to the Church authority today. Remeber we obey because we don't want to offend God whom we so love! This is a small investment that will aide you in the early days when learning is what your child is all about, like a little sponge, this book will be THE great opportunity to begin to give your child the love of the Holy Trinity, Mary, the Saints and the Holy Roman Catholic Church in simple, child-like ways that will be laying a foundation for the greatest good of their souls.

This book is wonderful! It has given me a starting point in teaching my 2- and 3-year-olds about our beautiful Faith! The authors make explaining the faith to toddlers and preschoolers easy! They give really great project examples also. I will definately use this book for all my children! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

This is an okay resource for Catholic moms with little ones. As a professional and volunteer catechist, I've found there is a wealth of resources for school-aged children but not as much for younger kids. This book has some age appropriate ideas that I haven't seen before. My almost three-year-old is enjoying the Lenten calendar that we created together, and I like the suggestions for teaching new prayers. I would have liked to see more specific examples of things for holy days and secular holidays. There is some general parenting advice that a reader could find in any secular book, about cyberparenting, tips for babysitters, respectful communication, etc. which I could have done without. With some creative thinking, one could skip this book and adapt ideas from other sources. I found a lot of ideas in Mom to Mom, Day to Day: Advice and Support for Catholic Living by Danielle Bean. Another good book is The Catholic Home by Meredith Gould, which is a great family resource.

This book is full of ideas for bringing up our precious little ones in the Faith. I definitely recommend this book for everyone.

I searched and searched for concrete ideas to implement with my little ones. I am so glad I found this book! The author gives actual ideas you use right away. I find myself returning to this book time and again to reread it in it's entirety or to peruse a particular section for ideas. I implemented ideas a little at a time so as to not overwhelm the kids or me. This book has especially helped with my children's lenten practices. I highly recommend this book.

This is a nice short, easy to read book on Catholic parenting, as well as how to include religious activities into their lives. I do agree that many of the ideas are basic - IF you grew up in a religious home, otherwise, I believe that many of the ideas will be new and thoughtful. Topics discussed include tips on teaching your little one how to pray, helpful tips on attending church, reading the bible, learning tools (such as types of books, toys, etc), and daily practices (such as keeping an alter and holy water fonts). Holidays (holy and secular) are also covered with some easy to do activities to help your child understand the meaning of them and to make them special for them (like making a birthday cake for Jesus and singing "Happy Birthday" to Him before opening gifts).

There is also a chapter devoted to "Controlling Your Child's Sensory Input" that many other parenting books may also have, but it is an important part of a parent's job, so I am glad this was included, although I personally didn't find anything new here. Included in the appendixes are praying The Rosary (although The Luminous Mysteries haven't been include as the book was written before John Paul II released them), favorite Catholic prayers, popular saints and media resources. I think this book would be most useful to someone new to the faith and who didn't grow up in a Catholic home, or at least a non-practicing Catholic home. Although I think all Catholic parents will get at least a few new ideas that they didn't grow up with, and considering the price and easy and quick reading, I would recommend this to all Catholic parents. If you are looking for a more in depth book I would suggest The Year & Our Children: Catholic Family Celebrations for Every Season by Mary Reed Newland.