That's when I realized she could hear the difference. She wasn't aware we were praying, but she knew we were doing something other than conversational speaking and cooing. From then on, at church or at mealtimes, either my husband or I would hold her hands together as we prayed. And so her prayer instruction began. You see, if you want prayer to be an everyday occurrence, it's never too early to start.
Children learn by mimicking words or phrases.
As children grow and develop verbally, prayer times can be expanded from memorized prayers at mealtimes and bedtime to more spontaneous prayers modeled in phrases. Help children understand that prayer includes praise and thanksgiving as well as requests. Look for God's work in your lives and the lives of others and give thanks for what He is doing. Look for answered prayers. Keep a sheet of paper posted on the refrigerator or in your child's bedroom to list answers to prayers.