Welcome to the Basic 1 Year Curriculum

For children ages 12-24 months, this easy-to-use, comprehensive curriculum is FREE for immediate family, in-home use.  For curriculum use in a preschool, church, or daycare, please proceed to the Complete 1 Year Curriculum. 

Each Lesson Plan includes:

  • Objectives for the Week
  • Links to Print Worksheets
  • Suggested Activities for each Objective

Choose objectives and activities that are appropriate for your child and situation, and then incorporate them into the child's normal activities

 

Want to use an updated curriculum which requires less work and includes additional ideas and teaching tips?  Take a look at the Complete 1 Year Curriculum, 2nd Edition. 

Handprint images in the Lesson Plan below designate items only included in the Complete 1 Year Curriculum.  

 

Items Needed

Available in the Complete Curriculum  The Complete 1 Year Curriculum Guide contains a list of suggested items needed for the objectives in the Lesson Plan.  Substitute these items as needed. 

Order Supplies Quickly order supplies in the ABCJLM Amazon Shop.

 

Objectives

The 1 Year Curriculum introduces the child to learning, and the objectives are the learning goals that you introduce to the child over one week.  Don’t feel the need to cover all the focused objectives each day. Instead, spread them throughout the week.  As much as possible, pull the learning from the play and activities that the child is doing.  

Bible Symbol: Animals
Bible Story: Noah's Ark
Scripture:  Genesis 6-9
Read & Share Toddler Bible: pg 24
ABCJLM Interactive Bible Story

Bible Song: The B-I-B-L-E  Traditional
The B-I-B-L-E (make book with hands)
Yes, that’s the book for me (nod “yes”)
I stand alone on the Word of God (pretend to stand firm)
The B-I-B-L-E
Bible! (shout)

Character Scripture: Salvation
Romans 10:9-10 (NIV) -  If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Poem: Row, Row, Row Your Boat (Traditional)
Row, row, row your boat,  (with the child on your lap facing you, rock from side to side)
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,  (pat hands on legs)
Life is but a dream.  (clap four times)

Color: Black
Shape: Circle
Animal: Raccoon
Taking Care of Me: Where is my head?
Sign Language: 
Bye-Bye - wave

Book of the Week:
My Little Word Book My Little Word Book by Various Authors

Fine Motor Skill:  Peek-a-boo
Gross Motor Skill: 
So Big

 

Suggested Activities

Because busy lives make it difficult to think of activities that pair well with learning objectives, I’ve provided suggestions to help you teach the week’s objectives.  Choose activities that your child would enjoy and that fit into your schedule. As often as possible, achieve the learning from books, play time, craft time, and current activities

Bible Story Activities:

Read and Share Toddler Bible The goal of the 1 Year Curriculum is to introduce the child to stories in the Bible.  I suggest the Read & Share Toddler Bible, but you may use any children’s Bible.  For variety, consider reading the same story from several Bibles

Be sure to read the Scripture for yourself to make sure you know the important story elements. Not all Bible stories are available in toddler Bibles. 

1 Year Bible Stories Available in the Complete Curriculum Complete Curriculum Addition:  Another way to further Bible learning is through interactive storytelling.  The ABCJLM Interactive Bible Stories provide you with an age-appropriate script to actively include the child in the story.  All interactive stories are available to order as a digital download and include optional flannelgraph suggestions.  Download for free the Week 1 story.  

ABCJLM Video Using Flannelgraph to Teach the Bible



- Eat animal crackers while reading Noah's Ark.

- Gather stuffed animals to sit with you as you read.

- Noah's Ark  ABC Book:  For the next 36 weeks, the child will create an Alphabet Bible Craft (ABC) book using the Bible Symbol for the week.  Each week, add the alphabet worksheet to a 3-ring binder to review and for the child to show to others.  Shown here is the first page in the book. Creation this by coloring the Animals worksheet with a black jumbo crayons and then glue on animal crackers.

Character Scripture:

As parents, we desire the children in our care to be like Christ.  One way to bring this about is to pray Christ's character into their lives.  More specifically, we can pray inspired Scriptures. 

Praying Scripture is a time for you to have a conversation with God, using His own Word to ask Him to build Christlikeness into your child's life.  Also, the verses you pray will remind you of character traits that you can model to your children, as well as call to mind during teachable moments and discipline.  Each Lesson Plan in the 1 Year Curriculum contains a character trait and a suggested verse to pray over your child for the week.  

Here is an example for this week's character (salvation) based on the Romans 10:9-10.  I encourage you to find additional verses about salvation to pray over your child throughout the week. 

Heavenly Father, I pray that ______ would declare with his mouth that Jesus is Lord.  That he would believe in his heart that God raised Jesus from the dead.  Work in ______ heart to believe in You so that he may be justified.  I pray that his mouth would profess his faith and salvation.

Character Scripture Prayers  Green handprint  Complete Curriculum Addition: Available to order in the 1 Year Workbook, the Character Scripture Prayers printable contains the 36 characters and verses to pray over your child. Post in the child's room, above the changing table, or wherever you frequent to remember to pray.

Song:

The songs chosen are old "Sunday School" favorites and are added to enrich the curriculum.  I included those songs that are familiar to most, but if unfamiliar, use any Bible song.  Find most songs on YouTube, Spotify, or Amazon. It is best to learn the song yourself and then teach the song in slow, small sections.   

1 Year Bible Song Cards Green Handprint  Complete Curriculum Addition:
Available as a digital download, the 1 Year Bible Song Cards consist of 11 cards with lyrics from the Bible Songs used in the 1 Year Curriculum.  Also included is 1 extra card to custom create your own.  Print, hole punch, and bind together for easy access and mobility.

Poem:

Traditional poems and nursery rhymes help children develop rhyme, fine motor skills, and rhythm, as well as beginning reading.  At first, quote the poems very slowly to help the children correctly learn the words.  Also, assist the child in performing actions with the poems.  Quote them throughout the day (e.g. while driving, in the bathtub, while washing hands).

1 Year Poem Cards  Green handprint  Complete Curriculum Addition:  

Available as a digital download, the 1 Year Poem Cards printable comprises 11 cards that contain the poems used in the 1 Year Curriculum.  It also includes is 1 extra card to custom create your own.   

Color Activities:

Color Train  In this curriculum, the child is introduced to nine different colors.  It's best to keep the objective simple and use only the "color of the week" during craft and drawing times. This allows the child time to work with a given color and to improve fine motor skills.

For the first 11 weeks (9 weeks of lessons and 2 review weeks), the child will create a Color Train.  Using the Black Train printable, instruct the child to color, with a jumbo crayon, one train per week (this week is black).  Display the train at the child's eye level to point to and discuss the colors.  If the child tends to put things in his mouth, try egg crayons or make larger crayons by recycling old ones.  Also, I encourage you to not use markers or pens since, unlike crayons and pencils, they do not sharpen fine and gross motor skills. 

Shape Activities:

Water Paint Shapes The 1 Year Curriculum introduces seven shapes to the child, beginning with the circle.  Using black construction paper, cut out a large circle.  Then, using minimal water, instruct your child to water paint the circle.  As the child paints, talk about the shape. 

TIP:  For little hands, jumbo paintbrushes are safer and easier to handle.

Animal Activities:

The Curriculum introduces the child to 28 animals. This week's animal is the raccoon. 
- Using the Raccoon worksheet, point to the raccoon's head. 
- Using the Raccoon worksheet and jumbo crayons, color the raccoon black. (For little hands, jumbo crayons are easier to hold.)
- Find a picture of a raccoon in the books that you read.
- Explain the raccoon's distinct "mask."
- Raccoons are nocturnal animals which means they hunt for food during the night and sleep during the day.

Taking Care of Me:

For the next 13 weeks, the child learns the names and places of his body parts.  Be Intentional:  focus on this week's body part while getting dressed, during bathtime, and while looking in a mirror.  Point out body parts found in books and magazines.   This week's body part is the head.

Sign Language:

The 1 Year Curriculum introduces the child to 28 words using sign-language.  In using signs, the child acquires a language to express his needs.  Introduce each sign at the beginning of the week by helping the child do the sign as you say the word.  Consistency and repetition lead to the child performing the sign on her own.  This week's sign is "bye-bye."  When it is appropriate for the child to wave, take the child's hand, assist her in waving, and say "bye-bye" as you wave for her.

For ideas on how to teach a child sign language and to see each sign performed, view the video below or visit the ABCJLM YouTube Channel

Book of the Week Ideas:

- My Little Word Book  The My Little Word Book is used several times in the 1 Year Curriculum because looking through the book allows the child to associate a word with a picture.  While you might find word/pictures books monotonous, repetition is key to expanding a toddler's vocabulary.  At first, work through only a few pictures at a time unless the child desires more. 

- How to Teach the Child the Pictures  (Click to read more)
1. Introduce - Begin by introducing the child to the pictures.  Gently take the child's hand, point to pictures, and state the name pictured.  Soon, this enables the child to randomly point, which prompts you to name the object, activity, or emotion.
2.  Practice - Once you have introduced each image, ask the child to point to specific objects.  "Point to the ball."  If the child is unable to point to the object, move back to "Introduce" and help the child point to the object.
3.  Identify - Point to a picture and ask the child to name the object.. 

First Day of 1 Year Curriculum:

First Day of 1 Year Curriculum Use the First Day of Preschool poster to create a precious photo op for remembering today.  Be sure to tag #ABCJLM or @ABCJesusLovesMe when you post the image on social media!

"I am Learning" Objective Poster:

 1 Year Curriculum Objective Poster Green Handprint Complete Curriculum Addition: The “I am Learning…“ Objective Poster is one of the best tools for helping you track what objectives the curriculum introduces to your child and when to incorporate the objectives into daily activities and play.  Transfer the weekly objectives to the poster and hang it in a prominent place to remember the objectives.  By placing the poster in a dry erase pocket or a picture frame and using a dry or wet erase marker, the sheet is reusable each week. Click to order this printable found in the 1 Year Workbook.  

Scope and Sequence:

1 Year Scope and Sequence Green Handprint Complete Curriculum Addition:  The Scope and Sequence explains what to teach and when to teach it.  Use the spreadsheet to plan around special events and holidays, easily switch objectives if needed, or to combine curricula with more than one child.  Click to order this printable found in the 1 Year Curriculum Guide.

Motor Skills:

Fine motor skills are activities that improve one’s ability to write and manipulate small objects.  Gross motor skills involve large muscle movement (e.g. running, jumping, hopping etc.). These skills are important for pencil control, balance, and coordination.  Each Lesson Plan includes an activity to improve the child’s fine and gross-motor skills.  Also, refrain from using markers or pens in activities as they do not strengthen fine and gross muscles as much as crayons, painting, and pencils.

• Fine Motor Skill:
Peek-a-boo -  Fine motor skills are those activities that allow you to better do things such as writing and manipulating small objects.  Each lesson plan includes an activity to help improve the child's fine-motor skills.  This week, play peek-a-boo with your child by covering your eyes with your hands, removing your hands, and saying "peek-a-boo."  Help the child cover his/her eyes and do the same. 

• Gross Motor Skill:
So Big
- Gross motor skills are big motor skills that require balance and coordination (e.g. running, jumping, hopping etc.).  Each lesson plan includes an activity to help improve the child's gross motor skills.  This week, play "So Big" by asking the child, "How big are you?".  Assist the child in raising his or her arms into the air and say, "So big!"  This is a great activity to do when undressing as it prompts the child to raise her arms in the air to remove their shirt. 


 

Green Handprint Daily Schedule – Week 1

Complete Curriculum Addition:  Below is a Daily Schedule dividing the Lesson Plan into a week's time. Beyond Week 1, the Daily Schedules are not provided on the website, but they are available in the printed 1 Year Curriculum Guide.

Objective Day 1 Day 2 Day 3
Bible Story  Read the Story (Flannelgraph)  ABC Book  Collect Stuffed Animals
Bible Song   The B-I-B-L-E  
Character Scripture  Salvation - Romans 10:9-10 (NIV) -  If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Poem   Row, Row, Row Your Boat  
Color  Color Train Find Black Items Find Black Items
Shape  Find Circles Water Paint a Circle Find Circles
Animal  Discuss Raccoon Find Pictures of Raccoon Raccoon Worksheet
Taking Care of Me  Name and Point to Head 
Sign Language  Bye-bye:  wave 
Book of the Week  Point and Name Images 
Motor Skill    Peek-a-boo So Big
Other First Day of Preschool Poster    

 

Warning:  All information on the ABCJesusLovesMe website, on Facebook Groups under the ABCJesusLovesMe name, and on the Parenting to Impress blog is for general information purposes only. All the activities and ideas shared require adult supervision and children under the age of three should not participate in activities in which small pieces are involved.  Also, what works with one child may not work with all children. ABCJesusLovesMe, as well as Parenting to Impress, contain suggestions and all should be taken simply as suggestions. Please seek the advice of a professional when questions arise. 

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