So a couple of months ago I was asked to be a nursery teacher. This means I co-teach with another adult the children ages 18 months to 3 (until the January after they turn three, so I could have kids who are 3 and 364 days theoretically). At the time I wasn’t so thrilled. I’ve spent a lot of my church ‘career’ in nursery which can feel like a life sentence where you’re forgotten in a corner of the building and thought to be inactive (not coming to church on a regular basis) by everyone except the parents of the children who you teach. This is the first time I’ve taught nursery and not had nursery aged children (or younger). I think that makes all the difference. Since I’ve been in there I’ve embraced it and have been embraced by it (literally- kids that age are lovey). I’d like to share some gems from the 18 month to 3ish set.
What I learned in Nursery:
Wiping our noses is a good thing, even if it’s on Amber’s skirt/shirt/hand.
Hand sanitizer (magic soap) is awesome.
The best game ever is folding down one end of a long folding table and racing cars down it.
Stopping the best game ever is really hard. There may will be tears.
Jesus loves everyone. Even grown ups.
Jesus loves people who aren’t nice too.
We don’t hit friends.
Jesus will still love you though.
Sometimes someone you don’t expect to be good at playing helicopters will be if you give him the chance.
Two and three year olds will laugh at anything.
I would have a bright future making millions if only toddlers could pay for comedy.
Even little boys like to pretend to cook.
But they find it funnier then little girls when you use a frying pan for a hat.
Even if you wear a hard hat you can still lose and eye.
Telling a little boy he looks ’sharp’ with his new hair cut will not make him happy. It will make him very angry because, ‘Stephen is NOT a shark!’
Sometimes it’s easier to give up on singing time and look for dinosaurs.
I need to learn the names of more dinosaurs.
Moms and dads will always come back.
Sometimes when grown ups suck it’s nice to spend two hours with kids who love you because you play cars, pretend to cook (and eat) plastic spaghetti, who laugh when you fall asleep when they turn off the lights and ‘wake up’ when they turn them back on, hunt for dinosaurs, sit on your lap and let you snuggle them, play cars, play blocks, throw balls (we didn’t have any girls in nursery today) and proclaim ‘that’s my friend’ when they see you walking down the street on a random Wednesday. I think we could all learn a little more about friendship and unconditional love in nursery. Today I was fed more than plastic spaghetti at church.
These seem like some excellent lessons for adults as well!
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I loved the time we spent in nursery! (and we even had one of our kids in there the whole time we were there. Come to think of it, they put us in just before he turned 18 months, and released us the Feb. after he went to Sunbeams…………..hmmmmm there might be a connection there………..)
Seriously, nursery = snacks.
I once saw a little girl in our nursery at a the store, and she pointed at me and started screaming “SNACKS! SNACKS!”
I’m just glad the nickname didn’t stick.
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Sooooo true Amber!!!!
Love it.
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I love it, you sound like an amazing nursery leader! So cute with those kids. Cooking is much more fun when you wear the pan on your head!
Bonnie’s last blog post..This, that, and the other….
No truer words have ever been spoken. I suspect if Jesus were at church today, he would have joined you in the nursery.
Jo’s last blog post..Getting In Touch With My Roots
I was a substitute at my daughter’s preschool this past year and oddly enough - I learned the same things!
3 year olds are a super snuggly bunch!
Beth (A Mom’s Life)’s last blog post..Miracle Monday
I just recently got put in the nursery too. My inital feeling is much like yours. I’m willing to serve but don’t want to get lost in the black hole that is nursery. Thank you so much for you uplifting story. I really need to adjust my attitude and enjoy nursery while I’m there.
I actually liked nursery too, I just wish I could go to nursery AND RS lol.
Im sure it would be much more fun if you didnt have two nursery age kids too.
Speaking of nursery- Ty has one more week of church before he gets to go.
that last comment was me *waves*
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I’ve never served in the nursery but I have been the primary president trying to find a great nursery leader and I have had boys in nursery who need a great nursery leader and I have had friends who I have seen magnify their callings better than any big bad president. It makes ALL the difference.
So, thank you, from someone who appreciates you even though you aren’t in my ward. I hope if I ever have an opportunity to serve in the nursery, I will embrace it as you have.
I have served in Nursery as well and I loved every minute of it. I love all of the things that you learned in Nursery–I too, have had similar experiences!!
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Children really are the priceless gems of the earth..even when they are wiping their noses on things and other people!
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I’ve been in nursery since March. I’m okay with it sometimes, but overall I have a difficult time enjoying myself. I think it would help if there was a regular co-teacher. By the time someone else is put in long-term I will probably be released.
Thanks for posting again.!
Nursery definitely has it’s bonuses. Love the “Jesus will still love you” part!
P.S.
You are my friend, too. Even if it isn’t Wednesday.
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I love being in nursery.
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Nursery is the only primary teaching calling I like. Maybe for the lessons you posted.
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Cute post. I would like to know how you learned some of these things, though. Sounds funny.
I think YOU are a shark.
As the parent of a nursery-aged child and former member of the Primary Presidency, I must say a big “Thank You” for loving those little kids and learning to love your calling. You are truly one in a million and a jewel for any ward to have.
Mindy’s last blog post..Welcome Little One
Awww, now I miss nursery. Almost. Great post.
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sooo funny and insightful. i’ve gotta try the ramp idea.
i think i should share this with our nursery leaders.
what a great post!!!!!!
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