Read every day. Stories feed the imagination, especially those such as fairy tales, which are about good and evil, courage and weakness in an imaginary place or a mythical time. Bible stories, particularly those from the Old Testament, are great stories in themselves about what it is to be human as well as creating a knowledge base for future faith development.
Share times of quiet – whether listening to a story tape, going for a walk, lighting a candle for someone in church or simply watching the ants.
Keep in touch with larger communities like the family, school and church.
Play games and explore activities that develop creativity and imagination.
Play is important for both adults and children. It helps repair the broken and worn out pieces of life. The word recreation means creating again.
Singing, especially with someone else, gives voice to joys and sorrows and forges relationships. This is why singing together at football matches and community sing songs bind people together.
Pray together! One way is to make it a part of the bedtime ritual. A story followed by a quiet cuddle can be used to reflect on something good to thank God for. A problem can also be shared with God. It may be a time to say sorry to each other for an upset during the day. Or it may be the best treat of all – a time of comfortable silence ending with a kiss goodnight.
Listen to each other and show that you recognise his or her that feelings are important.
Show that relationships matter and everyone’s dignity should be respected whatever their age and whoever they are. This is fundamental to Jesus’ teaching that we should love our neighbour as ourselves.
When you make mistakes – and everyone does – reflect on it and admit your mistake and say sorry. The very fact of recognising and owning up to our faults can be immensely healing as well as a valuable learning experience for all concerned. This healing is what the Bible calls redemption.
