"not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." — Philippians 2:4 (NIV)

Before children ever enter a classroom, they are already learning about expectations. They learn that certain things are expected of them at home. They may be expected to put their toys away, help with simple household tasks, listen when someone is speaking, use respectful words, follow directions, or think about how their actions affect someone else.

At home, a child may be expected to put their toys away, speak respectfully, help with family responsibilities, and listen when a parent gives directions. At school, the expectations may look different. Children may be expected to sit during circle time, take turns, raise their hands, follow classroom routines, respect personal space, and work cooperatively with their classmates.

Feelings are real. They are part of being human. But feelings were never meant to be our authority. When we teach children that every feeling should determine their response, we can unintentionally communicate that “If I feel it, I should act on it.”

As parents, we have the opportunity to introduce our children to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit—not by creating our own picture of who we think God should be, but by opening the Bible and allowing God’s Word to reveal Him.

The “I Don’t Want to Share!” 5-Day Digital Unit gives teachers a playful, developmentally appropriate way to help young children practice these important social-emotional skills through puppet conversations, songs, games, activities, and teacher-guided discussion. And today, I want to give you a FREE sample from the unit!

Children are always learning. Before they can read a book, understand a lesson, or fully explain their thoughts, children are watching, listening, and absorbing the world around them. They are learning from the words we speak, the actions we demonstrate, the choices we make, and the environments we create.

Before children can fully engage in learning, they need to feel safe, connected, and understood. They need opportunities to practice how to be a friend, how to communicate their needs, and how to solve the everyday problems that naturally happen when children learn and play together. That is why HeartSkills: Circle Time with Puppet Pals was created. Introducing the first digital unit in the HeartSkills series:

Family engagement is much more than attending special events or volunteering in the classroom. It is creating meaningful partnerships that help children develop the social, emotional, and character skills they need to build healthy relationships throughout their lives.

One small Heart Skills: Circle Time with Puppet Pals each week can become the beginning of stronger friendships, more peaceful classrooms, and children who are learning to treat others with kindness—not because someone tells them to, but because they are practicing it together.

A child walks into the classroom and sees two friends whispering together. Neither friend looks in the child’s direction, so the child immediately thinks, They are talking about me. They do not want me here.

This does not mean we dishonor our parents. Honoring our parents does not mean repeating everything they did. We can love them, respect them, and still allow God to renew our minds and teach us a different way.

Many young children naturally want to be involved in what the adults around them are doing. They ask, "Can I help?" They want to stir the batter, carry the laundry basket, wipe the table, or pick up toys. Although it may take longer to complete a task with little helpers beside us, these moments are building something far more valuable than a clean home—they are building hearts that learn to serve others with joy.

As believers, we can depend on the Holy Spirit to help us respond with wisdom and grace. He reminds us that every child is created in God's image and worthy of dignity, compassion, and care.

When mothers strive to follow Jesus daily, children receive a living example of faith. They learn that obedience is not just something we talk about on Sunday. It is something we practice every day in our homes, our relationships, and our choices.

One way children can stand strong is by remembering God's commandment to love others as Jesus loves us. Sometimes that means refusing to join in when others are being unkind. Other times it means telling the truth when it would be easier to lie.

Self-Control Is Learned Through Practice Children are not born with self-control. They are born with needs, wants, emotions, and impulses. Learning to pause, think, and make wise choices takes time. Just as children learn to hold a pencil through practice, they learn self-control through repeated opportunities to make better choices.

"Because the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastens everyone He accepts as His son." — Hebrews 12:6 (NIV)

What did children experience in our classrooms? Did they experience patience when learning something difficult? Did they experience kindness after making a mistake? Did they experience grace when they struggled to meet expectations? Did they experience love? As Christian educators, we have the privilege of teaching far more than academic skills. Every day, we have opportunities to reflect the heart of Christ through our interactions with children.

At the end of the school year, many parents naturally pause to celebrate milestones—reading progress, behavior growth, new friendships, and independence. These are meaningful moments worth acknowledging. But there’s another question worth sitting with as the school year closes: What have we learned about love?