Purpose:

To provide a safe, organized place where young children (18 months old and older) can develop an understanding and love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, have positive experiences in a church setting, and grow feelings of self-worth while their mothers are attending Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment Meeting.

Material Sources:

Scriptures, Primary 1 Manual and aids, and any nursery materials that have gone through correlation, such as previous nursery manuals.

Leader’s Responsibilities:

1.                           Work under the direction of the ward Enrichment Counselor.

2.                          Supervise Relief Society Children’s Class during Enrichment meetings.

3.                          Plan age-appropriate activities that teach children about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Provide lesson materials to teacher.

4.                          Enlist the assistance of mothers who participate in Enrichment activities to provide activities for the Children’s Class. The Children’s Class Leader is not responsible for conducting this class.

5.                          Provide class time as suggested below:

Greeting and Playtime............................30 minutes
Teaching time...........................................15 minutes
Artistic time............................................20 minutes
Snack time...............................................20 minutes
Music time................................................15 minutes
Playtime....................................................20 minutes
Closing and cleanup time.......................Rest of time

As you can see, this is a 2-plus hour block of time. The Children's Class should also start and end with prayer. It is suggested that Children's Class assistants attend 15 minutes before Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment Meeting starts and 15 minutes after.

6.                          Snacks are needed during class time because this is such a large stretch of time for small children. This is part of the RS budget, although mothers may take turns bringing food for all children.

7.           Supervise Assistants: May consist of sisters, YW, older Primary age children. If other than a sister, must have stake president approval.

*Please bring child to mother in cases of tears, diaper needs, or any other needs that you cannot handle.

See Church Handbook Of Instructions, Book 2, page 202