Whenever I talk with ministry leaders about the idea of cradle-to-grave discipleship , many assume I’m highlighting the importance of kids’ ministry in general. But is it possible that your church’s nursery is the most important place for spiritual growth?

Unfortunately, the nursery is often seen as a glorified babysitting service in many churches. Because we don’t see the tangible results of our efforts like we do in ministry to older kids, we can quickly start to believe the myth that the nursery doesn’t matter as long as babies are changed and happy when their caregiver arrives to pick them up.

How Important is Your Church’s Nursery?

Granted, newborns sleep most of the day, they cannot use language, and their motor skills are not honed. But this does not mean they are not learning and growing.

Could it be that the first few months and years of a baby’s life are the most significant for planting and watering the seeds of faith in their heart? 

Jeremiah 1:5 reminds us that God knew Jeremiah before he was born. We forget that a newborn baby already has nine months of experience when she is born. But Scripture isn’t the only place that talks about the importance of your nursery.

Do a quick Google search and you’ll find thousands of articles that discuss how important the first three years of a child’s life are for their spiritual development.

Could it be that we have underestimated the spiritual impact of nursery ministry?

Establishing the Foundation for Spiritual Growth in Your Nursery

Today I want to unpack three keys that can help us develop an effective nursery ministry in your church:

1. Don’t ignore babies when greeting their parents each week.

Because babies won’t smile right away or tell you what’s going on in their life, it’s easy for volunteers to give all of the attention to the parent or caregiver who is dropping them off. However, interacting with the baby or toddler right away is important.

This study reminds us of the remarkable abilities of newborn babies. Newborns can recognize human faces and can even discriminate expressions.

Tip: Whenever babies and toddlers are being dropped off, encourage your volunteers to make eye contact, greet them by name, and utilize physical touch.

2. Remember to engage with audio and visual elements.

Babies’ minds are growing at the fastest rate they’ll ever experience. Their ears, eyes, movement, and touch are all taking in signals that are imprinting on their brains. 

Author T. Berry Brazelton explains that reading to children, responding to their smiles with a smile, returning their vocalizations with one of your own, touching them, holding them—all of these further a child's brain development and future potential, even in the earliest months.

Tip: Rather than finding a comfortable chair and holding a baby and talking with other workers, consider reading stories or singing songs to the babies in your nursery. Use their name and make eye contact with them. Talk about the wonderful way God has made them.

3. Learn and teach the importance of your nursery.

There are hundreds of resources when it comes to maximizing the first three years of a child’s life. Because of the critical nature (including the nine months in the womb), children’s leaders, nursery workers, and parents should all take time to learn and understand the minds of children.  

Tip: Develop a resource that teaches nursery volunteers about the valuable role they play and train them to proactively interact with babies in a way that will enhance their growth.

What are some other keys to effective nursery ministry you’ve learned during your time in ministry?