Nursery children learn through repetition, movement, simple words, and lots of love. These short notes offer a little extra help for teaching each lesson. Use what is helpful for your children and leave the rest.
Lesson 1 – I Am a Child of God
At this age, children may not understand everything it means to be a child of God. What they can understand is: Heavenly Father knows me. He loves me. I belong to Him. Someday we will live with Him.Keep returning to those simple truths.
Lesson 2 – Heavenly Father Has a Plan for Me
The plan of salvation is a very big idea for very little people. Keep it concrete and reassuring: I lived with Heavenly Father. I came to earth. I can learn and grow. I can return to Him someday.
Lesson 3 – I Can Pray to Heavenly Father
Young children learn to pray by praying. They do not need long explanations or perfect words. Help them understand that Heavenly Father listens whenever they talk to Him.
Lesson 4 – Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ Love Me
Children understand love through things they can see and feel. Connect Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ’s love with familiar blessings such as family, food, beautiful things in the world, and people who care for them.
Lesson 5 – Jesus Christ Showed Us How to Love Others
Keep the emphasis on following Jesus. Help children practice simple things Jesus taught us to do—help, comfort, share, forgive, and be kind.
Lesson 6 – The Holy Ghost Helps Me
The Holy Ghost can be difficult for very young children to understand. Simple language is enough: The Holy Ghost can help me feel peace, know what is right, and remember Heavenly Father and Jesus and He is not scary.
Lesson 7 – Jesus Christ Created the World for Me
Young children naturally notice creation. Let their wonder do much of the teaching. A bird, flower, cloud, puppy, tree, or their own wiggling toes can help them recognize the beautiful world Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have given us.
Lesson 8 – Sunday Is a Day to Remember Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ
Rather than giving children a long list of Sunday rules, focus on what we can do: go to church, sing Primary songs, pray, read scripture stories, spend time with family, and think about Jesus.
Lesson 9 – I Have a Body like Heavenly Father’s
Children are naturally fascinated by their bodies. Help them feel gratitude rather than comparison. Eyes can see, hands can help, feet can walk, ears can hear, and every child has a body to be loved and cared for.
Lesson 10 – I Will Take Care of My Body
Keep healthy choices positive and simple. We care for our bodies by eating good food, sleeping, moving, staying clean, and staying safe because our bodies are wonderful gifts from Heavenly Father.
Lesson 11 – I Love My Family
Families do not all look the same. Some children live with two parents, one parent, grandparents, relatives, or other caregivers. Keep the lesson centered on loving the people in our families rather than what a family is supposed to look like.
Lesson 12 – I Can Pray with My Family
Some children may not regularly have family prayer at home. Teach the blessing of praying together without making a child feel that something is wrong with their family if their experience is different.
Lesson 13 – My Family Can Be Together Forever
“Forever” is difficult for a nursery child to comprehend. They do understand belonging. Emphasize the reassuring message: Heavenly Father loves families and wants us to be together.
Lesson 14 – I Will Obey
Young children are still learning what it means to obey. Keep expectations simple and positive. Help them understand that Heavenly Father gives us commandments because He loves us, and parents and other trusted adults give us rules to help keep us safe.
Lesson 15 – I Will Be Thankful
Gratitude is easiest when it is concrete. Ask about things children can see and name: family, food, toys, animals, sunshine, friends, and their bodies. Then help them connect those good things with the simple words “I thank Thee, Heavenly Father.”
Lesson 16 – I Will Say “I’m Sorry”
For very young children, saying “I’m sorry” is only the beginning. Help them learn that when we hurt someone, we can try to make things better by returning something, help rebuild something, giving comfort, or choosing kindness next time.
Lesson 17 – I Will Share
Sharing is developmentally hard for young children. Expecting instant generosity can create frustration. Give children opportunities to practice taking turns, waiting briefly, and experiencing how good it feels when everyone gets a chance.
Lesson 18 – I Will Love Others
“Love everyone” is a large idea. Nursery children understand small actions. They can show love by smiling, helping, including, comforting and speaking kindly. Those little choices make love something they can actually do.
Lesson 19 – I Can Be Happy
Children need to understand parents and teachers want them to be happy with their experience on earth.
Lesson 20 – I Will Be Reverent
Reverence does not mean expecting very young children to sit perfectly still. Nursery children can learn reverence in small moments like folding their arms for a prayer, listening briefly, singing softly, or looking at a picture of Jesus.
Lesson 21 – Joseph Smith Saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ
Keep the First Vision story simple and concrete. Joseph had a question, he prayed, and Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him. Young children do not need all the historical details to understand the significance of the event.
Lesson 22 – The Book of Mormon Teaches Me about Jesus Christ
Help children make one strong connection: The Book of Mormon teaches us about Jesus. Pictures and short stories will communicate far more to nursery children than explanations about the structure or history of the book.
Lesson 23 – I Love the Scriptures
At this age, loving the scriptures begins with positive experiences. Let children hold them carefully, look at pictures, hear very short stories, and associate scripture time with warmth and attention rather than long periods of listening.
Lesson 24 – I Will Follow the Prophet
“Prophet” can be an unfamiliar word. Explain simply that a prophet is a man Heavenly Father has called to teach us and help us know what He wants us to do.
Lesson 25 – I Belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Belonging is something little children understand. Help them connect the Church with familiar experiences—coming to church, seeing friends and teachers, singing songs, learning about Jesus, and knowing “I belong here.”
Lesson 26 – I Will Be Baptized and Confirmed
Baptism may still seem very far away to nursery children. Include anticipation with preparation. Someday, when I am eight, I can choose to be baptized just as Jesus was.
Lesson 27 – The Sacrament Helps Me Think about Jesus Christ
Instead of emphasizing only being quiet during the sacrament, teach children why the sacrament is special. The bread and water help us remember Jesus. Even a very young child can begin learning to look at a picture of Jesus or quietly think about Him.
Lesson 28 – Heavenly Father Blesses Me through the Priesthood
Priesthood can be an abstract idea for young children. Focus on experiences they may recognize. Priesthood holders can give blessings, baptize, confirm, and administer the sacrament. The message is simple: Heavenly Father uses His priesthood power to bless His children.
Behold Your Little Ones Lesson Helps 