Small Steps

Episode # 9 – Challenge Title: Positive Deposits
Welcome to Small Steps – a Podcast for Growing up Grown Ups.
These Small Steps will be simple, do-able and practical to help you relate to your young child in a healthy way as each of you grows. So hang around for some encouragement as you raise up your little one.
I’m Nanette Johnson, Minister to Preschoolers and their families at First Baptist Church Arlington.
This is Episode 9 of the Small Steps Podcast
As an Elementary student, what is the first chapter book you remember reading in school? Some of you may have read Charlotte’s Web. If you were to list some of Charlotte, the spider’s, best character traits – what would make the list? She was – helpful, encouraging, creative, sacrificial, tender, caring, and a leader. Granted, she is a talking spider in a barn yard – but she does display positive qualities that model goodness. And you really can’t argue with Charlotte!

“So – lets pause here for a few minutes” and think through who is modeling positive qualities for your children to observe and follow. It probably isn’t a talking spider – but in fact, everyone is a model of some kind for your child!

Young children are like sponges, absorbing everything around them. They can pick up on one phrase that you have no clue they’ve ever heard - until they repeat it in public! And then - you are either embarrassed or shocked! When we think of children as automatic time capsules it helps highlight the importance and need for making sure they are surround by those who display positive qualities. Every action, reaction, tone of voice, conversation, emotional outburst, act of kindness, patient behavior, confident response or helpful action gets recorded by your child. They are tiny time capsules instantly recording everything in just one take!
If it only takes one experience for them to “get it” or record it - how much more will they absorb when the same qualities or models are consistently repeated? The reality of your child “instantly recording” everything surrounding them should be a huge wake-up call. Your child needs the investment and intentional influence of healthy qualities. These affect the deeper experiences of observing - respect, kindness, patience, self-control, and gratitude. Surrounding your child with these types of characteristics set the stage for a healthy future.
Parent Cue Instagram posted a quote that said: “If you want to raise healthy kids, teach them to be kind.”

How does this all relate to your family?
When you speak with a kind tone in your voice, they absorb kindness. When they see respect modeled, that investment is recorded in their Time Capsule. When the family works together with jobs around the house, they understand how to be helpful. When they try out a new skill and are given encouragement, they receive a boost of confidence. When emotions are expressed within safe boundaries of self-control, they record healthy ways of sharing their own feelings.
Take a minute to think about what you are modeling for your child. What qualities are being recorded by your child? What do they see repeated most often in your family? How are the character traits, whether good or bad, impacting their own character? Every show watched, song played, video game viewed, or conversation over-heard is having an impact on your child. It is up to the adults to guard their hearts and make sure the positive messages are surrounding them in these very formative years.
What characteristics do you most admire in others and desire to model in your own home? Are there people in your own life, who models these qualities well?
God gives us the ability to be people of good character through His Spirit. Some of these qualities are stated in Galatians 5:
God's Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways.” Galatians 5:22-23 CEV
It takes intentional commitment to become people who model these God-given qualities.
Let me say that list one more time: ….
We all want these for our children!
Let’s summarize with 4 Small Steps –
Step 1 – We know children are little sponges. They are instantly recording Everything – without a filter! They literally are your little Time Capsule.
Step 2 – Be intentional with how you model the inner qualities of gentleness, patients, kindness, and self-control. What other influences are impacting your child’s character? Be aware of shows, music and people that may have a negative influence on your child’s design.
Step 3 – Try making a list of 3 or 4 desired qualities you feel are most important for your family. Then think about how those qualities are being modeled in your home. Make a commitment, with your family, to prioritize these specific Characteristics. Find Bible stories, family mottos, story books, and people that constantly model and highlight these desired traits. Who can you invite to be a part of a family meal or play date that will have positive impact on your children’s lives? Your children need to see people outside of your own family who are people of integrity and who model respect, kindness, and gentleness.
Step 4 – Celebrate! As you begin to recognize the positive influences on your child’s own reactions, helpful actions, or ability to have self-control – stop and affirm that specific quality. The more the positives are affirmed the more established those qualities become!
The Good news is – your child is living their best life to the fullest and taking it all in!
Soon, your little Time Capsule will have another birthday and you will realize how quickly they mature. They will one day, share those repeated recordings of respect, love, kindness, and patience with a bigger world!
There is a quote from Charlotte’s Web that reminds us: “Children almost always hang onto things tighter than their parents think they will.”
Let’s Give them models of positive Spirit-filled qualities to hang on to – for the rest of their life!

Thanks so much for joining me today.
As you repeat these Small Steps consistently, you will learn more about your child’s design and will be amazed by their growth. Their Growth depends on your Small Steps - as you too are Growing Up!