1. family and parenting
2. children

Baby Moses in a Basket
Bible Verse
September
God said, “I will be with you.” (Exodus 3:12)
Bible Story
Exodus 2:1-9
Leap of Faith
God watches over me.
Before You Begin
T
he story of the Exodus is the signature event in the history of God’s people.
Every year at the festival of the Passover, the story is told and has been told
for generations. Moses is lifted up as the character through whom God worked
to accomplish this awesome deed. But in truth, the story is more a story of God
than of Moses. God saw the need of the people. God responded. God provided
the means for this event to happen. Had it not been for God’s intervention,
Moses might never have even survived his childhood. God was with Moses
when he needed help; God will be with each of us when we need help too.
The first people who helped Moses were the midwives who defied Pharaoh’s
orders to put to death any male child that was born to the Hebrew women.
The second person who helped Moses was his mother who at great risk hid her
son until he was too big to hide any longer. The third person who helped Moses
was his sister Miriam, who kept watch as his little basket-boat floated among
the reeds of the river. She was also quick-thinking and courageous when she
approached the princess with her suggestion for a nurse for the baby. The fourth
person who helped Moses was the princess. Certainly, she did not realize that the
child she was holding in her arms that day would change the course of history
for Egypt and for the world.
Toddlers and twos will not fully understand the story of Moses. In fact, parts
of the story may frighten them. So why do we tell it? Toddlers and twos can be
introduced to Moses and understand that Moses was an important person in
the Bible. They can hear the story of baby Moses and how his mother and sister
cared for him. Children in this age group may have observed their parents or
others caring for a baby. They can be reminded that when they were babies,
parents or other caregivers care for them. Imitating and acting out caring play
with dolls is a good activity for toddlers and two-year-olds.
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Requires
preparation.
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Bible Story Center
First Sunday of September
Supplies: Bible Story Picture Card, baby doll wrapped in blanket
• Show the children the sign for “baby” from American Sign Language (Bible
Story Picture Card—p. 6)
• Show them a baby doll wrapped in a blanket.
• Tell the children the following story. When you say “baby” in the story, say
the word and sign it at the same time. Encourage the children to do so, too.
SAY: Moses was a little baby boy. His mother wrapped her baby in a blanket
and put him in a basket. Then she put the basket in the river. She was hiding
her baby from the mean king who did not like baby boys. Moses had a big
sister. Her name was Miriam. She stood close by and watched over baby
Moses in the basket.
• Show the children again how to sign “baby.” Pass the baby doll around the
group of children. Before a child gets to hold the baby, have him or her try
to sign “baby.” That child then holds the baby while the next child signs the
word “baby.” Continue until each child has had a turn to hold the baby doll.
Second Sunday of September
Supplies: Bible Story Picture Card, bowl of water
• Show the children the sign for “water” from American Sign Language (Bible
Story Picture Card).
• Tell the children the following story. Have a bowl of water in front of you as
you tell the story. When you talk about the water in the story, put your hand
into the bowl of water. Touch a child’s head with the water on your fingers
each time you dip your fingers into the bowl.
SAY: Moses was a little baby boy. His mother wrapped him in a blanket and
put him in a basket. She put the basket in the water. She was hiding her baby
from the mean king who did not like baby boys. Miriam was the big sister. She
watched Moses as his basket-boat floated in the water. One day, the princess came
to the water. She was surprised to find a baby! Miriam talked to the princess by
the water. She said, “I can find someone to take care of the baby for you.” The
princess agreed. Miriam took the baby back home to their own mother.
• Show the children again how to sign the word “water.” Carry the bowl of
water around to all the children. Have each one try to do the sign for “water”
and then touch the water in the bowl.
Third Sunday of September
Supplies: Resource Pak, tape
Punch out the finger puppet pieces for the story (Resource Pak). You will
find baby Moses, Miriam, Mother, the basket, and the princess. Attach a loop of
tape to the back of each puppet. Tape the puppets to your fingertips as you tell
the story.
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September
GROW • Proclaim • Serve • Toddlers & Twos Leader’s Guide
SAY: This is the mother. (Tape the mother picture to your thumb.) She loved her
baby and wanted to take good care of him. The king was very mean and he did
not like baby boys. The mother was going to put her baby in a basket and hide
him.
This is the baby. (Tape the baby picture to your pointer finger.) His name is
Moses. He had a mother and a big sister in his family. His mother and his
sister watched over him every day. They took good care of him.
This is the basket. (Tape the basket to your middle finger.) The mother put her
baby in the basket. She put the basket in the river beside some tall grass. She
did not want anyone to find him.
This is the big sister. (Tape Miriam to your ring finger.) Her name is Miriam. She
was watching over her little brother in the basket. She wanted to keep him safe.
This is the princess. (Tape the princess to your last finger.) She came to the river
to take a bath. She found the baby in the basket. She wanted to keep him,
but she knew her father was the king and he did not like baby boys. She let
Miriam take the baby home with her to take good care of him.
God was watching over baby Moses. God did not want baby Moses to get hurt.
God watches over you, too.
• Hold up your hand with the finger puppets attached. Name one of the pictures,
then let one of the children come close to you and point to that person or object.
Continue until each child has had a turn.
ASK: Who was watching over baby Moses? (Miriam was.) Who else was
watching over baby Moses? (God was.) Who watches over us? (God does.)
Fourth Sunday of September
Supplies: Resource Pak, tape
• Sing the following song “Where Is Moses?” to the tune of “Where Is
Thumbkin?” Use the finger puppets of Mother, Miriam, and baby Moses
(Resource Pak) and show them to the children as you sing.
SING: Where is Mother? (place hand over eyes as if looking for someone)
Where is Mother?
She’s inside, (point in other direction)
She’s inside
Watching little Moses, (make circles with your fingers around your eyes)
Watching little Moses
As he cries, (rub eyes like a crying baby)
As he cries.
Where is Miriam? (place hand over eyes as if looking for someone)
Where is Miriam?
Standing by, (stand up tall)
Standing by
Watching little Moses, (make circles with your fingers around your eyes)
Watching little Moses
With her eyes, (point to your eyes)
With her eyes.
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Where is Moses? (place hand over eyes as if looking for someone)
Where is Moses?
Floating by, (ripple fingers like water)
Floating by
In a little basket, (cup hands like a little basket)
In a little basket,
Safe inside, (hug self as if to feel safe)
Safe inside.
• Repeat the song and the motions again. The children will participate more as
they become familiar with the song.
Fifth Sunday of September
Supplies: Leader’s Guide (September, Reproducible 1), sheets of white paper,
blue tissue paper cut into squares, glue, crayons, scissors
Photocopy the large baby in a blanket (September, Reproducible 1) for
each child. Cut out the figures. (Save the extra figures for “Baby in a Basket.”)
Cut blue tissue paper into squares.
rovide a piece of white paper for each child. Put dots of glue on the paper to
P
look like a river. Encourage the child to place a blue tissue paper square over
each dot of glue to complete the river.
• Have the child color the baby picture.
• Help the child glue it on top of the blue tissue paper squares.
• Repeat the last verse of the song the children learned last week “Where Is
Moses?” while looking at the Moses pictures the children just made.
SAY: Where is Moses? (place hand over eyes as if looking for someone)
Where is Moses?
Floating by, (ripple fingers like water)
Floating by
In a little basket, (cup hands like a little basket)
In a little basket,
Safe inside, (hug self as if to feel safe)
Safe inside.
Learning Activities
The Art Cart
Baby in a Basket
Supplies: Leader’s Guide (September, Reproducible 1), small paper plates,
crayons (including brown), scissors, stapler, glue, tape
Cut some of the small paper plates in half. Each child will need a whole
plate and a half plate.
Photocopy and cut out the picture of the large baby in a blanket (September,
Reproducible 1) for each child.
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September
GROW • Proclaim • Serve • Toddlers & Twos Leader’s Guide
• Give the child a whole plate and a half plate. Encourage the child to use a
brown crayon to color the inside of the whole plate and the bottom side of
the half plate.
• Let the child color the picture of the baby.
• Face the two plates together and staple the edges together to make a basket.
• Cover the staple prongs with clear tape to protect little fingers.
• Glue the baby inside the basket.
SAY: When Moses was a baby boy, his mother wrapped him in a blanket and
put him in a basket. She put the basket in the water. God watched over Moses
so nothing happened to him. God watches over you and me, too.
Decorated Door Hanger
Supplies: colored craft foam sheets (colors can vary), scissors, store-bought heart
stickers, black permanent marker
Cut the colored craft foam into door hanger rectangles (whatever size you
like). Cut a hole near the top edge so that the hanger will fit over a doorknob.
rite “God watches over” near the top of each rectangle. (You will add a child’s
W
name at the bottom later.)
• Let each child choose a door hanger. Write the child’s name on the bottom
edge.
• Tell the child what is written on the craft foam: “God watches over (his or
her name).”
• Let the child add store-bought heart stickers to the door hanger.
SAY: You can hang this on a doorknob in your house. When you see it,
remember that God loves you and that God watches over you.
Princes and Princesses
Supplies: large construction paper sheets (varied colors), wide masking tape, clear
tape, store-bought jewel and heart stickers, stapler, staples
Cut the construction paper into long 2-inch wide strips.
Tape one strip and half of another one together so that it will be long enough
to go around a child’s head for a crown. Add masking tape to the back side of
the band for added sturdiness.
• Let each child choose what color crown he or she wants.
• Help the child attach the jewel and heart stickers to the band.
• Measure to make the crown fit his or her head, then staple or tape the ends
together.
SAY: What a lovely prince (princess) you are! The princess came to the river
to take a bath. She found baby Moses’ basket floating in the water. She got
someone to take good care of him. God was watching over Moses.
© 2012 Abingdon Press
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Game Time
EYE Spy
Supplies: scrapbooking papers with printed designs (or construction paper),
scissors, tape, baby doll in a blanket
Hide a baby doll wrapped in a blanket in the room.
• Let each child choose the printed paper or construction paper he or she likes.
• Help each child fold the paper in half and then roll the folded sheet into a
tube. Tape the ends together, making a telescope.
• Tell the children that you have hidden a baby doll wrapped in a blanket in
the room.
• Let the children look through their telescopes to find the hidden baby doll.
• Tell them to come back and tell you where they found the baby.
SAY: Miriam had a very important job to do. Her little brother, Moses, was in
a basket floating in the water. Her job was to watch over him.
Beanbags in the Basket
Supplies: large basket, beanbags or sock balls, masking tape
Make a masking tape line on the floor.
Place the basket a few feet away.
• Let each child have several beanbags or pairs of socks rolled into a ball. Let
him or her stand on the masking tape line and try to toss the items into the
basket.
SAY: We played a game with a big basket today. After baby Moses was born,
his mother put him in a basket to hide him and keep him safe.
Rock-a-bye Moses
Learn the words to the song “Rock-a-bye Moses” so you do not need to see
them for the game. Sing the song to the tune of “Rock-a-bye Baby.”
SING: See baby Moses in his small boat,
Made by his mother so it would float.
Put in the water with gentle care,
See sister Miriam, watching him there.
• Have the children gather in a circle and hold hands. Lead them in rotating to
the right or left as they all hold hands. Sing the song “Rock-a-bye Moses” as
you move. Let all the children fall down at the end of the song.
SAY: What was the baby’s name? What did his mother do? Who was watching
him float in the basket?
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September
GROW • Proclaim • Serve • Toddlers & Twos Leader’s Guide
A Tisket, A Tasket, What Is in My Basket?
Supplies: big brown basket that the children cannot see into, any items the
children can recognize
Place three to five items in the basket that the children will easily recognize.
Use baby items, toys, things like toothbrushes and combs, or any variety.
• Take one item out of the basket at a time. Show it to the child and ask if he
or she can tell you what it is. Now put the items back in the basket. See how
many of the items the child can remember. As the item is named, remove it
from the basket.
• Place the items back into the basket, and let another child guess the items.
SAY: Miriam had an important job to do. She had to watch the basket that
held her baby brother. We played a game with a basket today. You had to be
a good watcher like Miriam so you could play the game.
The Discovery Table
What Floats?
Supplies: towel; plastic tub, half-filled with water; items that will float and items
that will sink
Place the towel on the table or floor. Place the tub of water on the towel.
Place the floating and sinking objects beside the tub.
TIP
Always monitor
children at water play.
• Tell the children that some things will float in the water; other things will sink.
• Let a child pick up an item and guess if it will sink or float.
• Put the item in the water and see if he or she was right.
SAY: Baby Moses was in a basket. His basket was floating in the water. I am
glad it did not sink. God was watching over Moses. God watches over us, too.
Who Uses This?
Supplies: a diaper bag and items that a baby uses; a mother’s large purse and items
that a mother uses
• Place a variety of items on the table that either a baby uses or a mother uses.
• Show the items on the table to the children. Make sure they know what each
item is called.
• Let the children decide who uses this—a mother or a baby? If a baby uses it,
put it in the diaper bag. If a mother uses it, put it in the purse.
SAY: Baby Moses had a mother and a daddy and a big sister named Miriam.
Who are the people in your family?
© 2012 Abingdon Press
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Where Is Moses?
Supplies: Leader’s Guide (September, Reproducible 1), three wide-mouth cups
(that you cannot see through), a small block, tape
Photocopy and cut out the small picture (September, Reproducible 1) of
baby Moses. Tape a small block to the back of the picture so that the picture will
move along with the cup when placed under one of the three cups.
• Show the children the three cups and the picture of baby Moses.
• Hide Moses under one of the cups. Move the cups around. Let a child choose
which cup he or she thinks has baby Moses hidden under it.
SAY: We played a game and I tried to hide baby Moses from you. When Moses
was a baby, his mother put him in a basket to hide him. She did not want the
mean king to find him. He did not like baby boys. Moses’ mother carefully put
the basket in the water, and baby Moses’ big sister watched him from nearby.
Music and Movements
Little Baby Moses
Supplies: CD/ CD player
• Play “Little Baby Moses” (CD) on a CD player.
• Have the children pretend to rock a baby as the music plays.
• Sing the song several times. Encourage the children to sing along.
Where Is Moses?
Supplies: Leader’s Guide, pp. 9-10
Learn the words and the motions used in the song “Where Is Moses?”
(Leader’s Guide—pp. 9-10) so that you can sing it and do the motions.
Sing the words to the tune of “Where Is Thumbkin?”
• Have the children sing along with you and copy your motions. Repeat the
song so that the children become familiar with it.
SAY: Where was the mother? Where was Miriam? Where was baby Moses?
Finger Puppets
Supplies: Resource Pak, large index card, pen, tape
Gather the five finger puppets (Resource Pak) used for story time.
Write the words to this rhyme on an index card so you have them handy:
“Finger puppets can be lots of fun.
Now let’s see them one by one.
Here is Moses
And his mother, too.
This is the basket
That she used.
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GROW • Proclaim • Serve • Toddlers & Twos Leader’s Guide
Now meet Miriam
The big sister that cared.
And here is the princess
With beautiful hair.”
• Read the fingerplay to the children. When one of the figures or object is
named, tape it your fingers.
Say: Which finger has Moses? Where is Miriam? Which one is Mother?
Who is this pretty lady? Why do we have a basket? (Involve the children
in identifying each one.)
A Toddler Tune
• Learn the words to the Bible verse, sung to the tune of “Frere Jacques.”
I’ll be with you,
I’ll be with you.
God did say.
God did say.
Oh, yes! I will be with you.
Oh, yes! I will be with you.
God did say.
God did say.
• Sing the Bible verse song to the children. The next time you sing the song,
sing the first line and have the children sing it back to you.
ASK: Who watches over you? (The children may say their parents. That is correct
but remind them that God watches them, too, just like the Bible verse says.)
Rock-a-bye Moses
Supplies: Leader’s Guide—p. 12, baby doll
Learn the words to the song “Rock-a-bye Moses” (Leader’s Guide—p. 12)
so that you know them when you work with the children. Use the tune “Rock-abye Baby” with these words.
• Create motions to use and have the children imitate you, or have the children
stand in a circle and pass the baby doll around as you sing together.
SAY: We are singing a song about a special little baby boy. What is his name?
Dramatic Play
Baby Bundles
Supplies: baby dolls, blankets, baskets or baby carriers
• Place the baby dolls and blankets in a quiet area of your room.
• Let the children take care of the baby dolls.
SAY: I am glad you took such good care of our baby dolls. Our story today is
about a baby named Moses. His mother and his big sister took very good care
of him.
© 2012 Abingdon Press
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Baskets Are for Picnics, Too
Supplies: large basket with handle that a young child can easily carry, play food
items to “pack” for a picnic, checkered cloth for a picnic blanket
Gather the supplies and set up an area for a pretend picnic.
• Pretend to go on a picnic with the children. What might they pack in the
basket for a picnic?
SAY: Picnics are fun! I’m so glad you were here today to go on a picnic with me!
Snack Time
Baby in a Blanket
Supplies: tortillas, large craft sticks, jelly, bananas, plastic knife
• Give each child a tortilla and a large craft stick to use as a knife. Help the
child spread jelly onto the tortilla.
• Peel a banana and cut it in half. One banana will serve two children. Place the
banana “baby” at the top of the tortilla. Fold the bottom of the tortilla upward
to cover part of the “baby.” Then fold the left and right sides over the baby.
• Tell the children that baby Moses was wrapped in a blanket to keep him warm.
Tell them that today’s Bible story is about baby Moses.
Closing Circle
Supplies: Resource Pak, Bible Story Picture Cards, tape
Remove the Bible Story Picture Cards for today. On the first week of
the month, also remove “Reading the Bible with Your Child,” (Bible Picture
Cards—pp. 31-32). Display the “Rock-a-bye Moses” Poster (Resource Pak)
where you and the parents can easily see the words.
• Welcome the parents as they return.
• Invite all the parents and children to sit in a circle.
• Sing one of the “Music and Movements” songs (Leader’s Guide—pp. 12, 1415). If you choose “Rock-a-bye Moses” show the parents the poster.
• Retell the Bible story (Leader’s Guide—pp. 8-10). Encourage the parents and
children to participate.
• Say the Bible verse together: God said, “I will be with you” (Exodus 3:12).
Say: We said our Bible verse with our mouths. Now let’s see if we can say our
Bible verse using our hands.
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GROW • Proclaim • Serve • Toddlers & Twos
Leader’s Guide
• Demonstrate how to sign the words “God,” “with,” and “me” using the signs
from American Sign Language. Encourage the children and the parents to
participate.
• Give each child a Bible Story Picture Card to take home. (On the first week of
the month, also send home “Reading the Bible with Your Child.”)
PRAY: Our Bible says that God will be with us. Thank you, God, for watching
over us just like you watched over baby Moses. Amen.
“Extra” for the Month
Grandparents Day
Supplies: white paper, crayons (Optional: packets of Forget-me-not seeds, stapler
or tape)
• In September time is given to recognize some special people in our lives —
our grandparents! The first Sunday after Labor Day is traditionally the day
set aside to honor them. The official flower for this occasion is the “Forgetme-not.”
• This is the beginning of a new Sunday school year and celebrating grandparents
can be a good conversation starter with the young children in your group.
• Provide paper and crayons so the children can create lovely pictures for
their grandparents. Talk to them about their grandparents as they work. Then
attach a packet of “Forget-me-not” seeds, if you can still find them this time
of year, to their drawings. Encourage the children to deliver the gifts to their
grandparents.
• Many children may have to mail the gifts to their grandparents and this will
be easy enough for the parents to do. You may want to attach a note to the
pictures stating “Happy Grandparents Day” and noting that the “Forget-menots” are the official flowers for this occasion-that-should-not-be-forgotten!
© 2012 Abingdon Press
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September, Reproducible 1
Fifth Sunday of September
Baby in a Basket
Where Is Moses?
Permission is granted to duplicate this page for local church use only. Art: Carol Schwartz / Portfolio Solutions
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September
GROW • Proclaim • Serve • Toddlers & Twos
Leader’s Guide