Discovering God in the Ordinary Moments With My Young Child

So much of the early development of faith occurs before children can even articulate what is happening within them. For them, things are happening in the background of the familiar, the ordinary, and the mundane. As a Montessori teacher and a mom of faith, I have come to realize that as important as teaching is, God cannot be taught, only discovered.

In Montessori education, we emphasize the importance of observation. We learn to observe before we act, to observe what a child is saying to us through their work, their movement, and their actions. Faith, just like learning, does not have to be forced. It just needs to be allowed to grow.

Montessori philosophy also emphasizes the importance of a prepared environment that invites this sort of learning and discovery. Simple spaces that promote a sense of quiet reflection without any requirements are quite powerful. Our home includes areas that invite sitting on the floor together, moving around naturally, or resting quietly. We’ve incorporated interactive rugs to promote a sense of comfort and belonging. Predictability can create trust; order can create peace; beauty can create reverence. While these are Montessori values, they are also spiritual values I hope to inculcate in my children.

Seeing Faith Through a Child’s Eyes

One day, my little one sat contentedly on the floor, arranging his little wooden toys in rows. He wasn’t making anything in particular. He was simply fully engaged in his play of lining up his blocks one at a time and putting them on top of each other, over and over again. Patience, focus, and care – these aren’t theoretical concepts for young children. They’re lived experiences.

“Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.”
—Mark 10:14

This is the environment I want to foster – a safe and open invitation for a child to be who they are without any expectation of performance or readiness.

One of the hardest things for parents to navigate is the need to control the outcome. We want to know if our children are getting it, if we are doing enough. I’ve learned from Montessori teaching that growth happens on its own time. The same is true with spiritual growth.

Faith does not grow in a straight line. There are times of questioning, silence, resistance, and renewal. Children will return to the same questions again and again. It’s not because the child does not get it; it’s because they are navigating things at a slower pace. Allowing children time to wonder without offering all the answers to their questions honors the child’s growth in their faith.

Some of the most spiritually significant moments in our home have taken place organically rather than by parental planning. Profound questions during simple bedtime conversations, reflecting on our days over a shared meal, and our everyday chats in the car—these moments aren’t scheduled. They happen in real time. As the adult in these scenarios, I’ve found it helpful to step back so the child can follow their inner guide and direct the flow of conversation. 

Christianity encourages us to create this kind of culture of humility. Sharing stories, experiences, and practices with others helps normalize our questions and remember that our faith formation is not transactional, but relational. Godly Play teachers are likewise trained to observe, reflect, and co-work. When we release our need to have all the answers, room is created for collective wisdom to arise.

Faith Grows Gently

Finding God in everyday moments takes time and trust. Montessori parenting provides me with a language for this kind of trust, and my Christian tradition reminds me that faith development does not rest solely on our efforts. Sometimes, as a parent, I need to take a deep breath, temper my personal expectations, and notice what is taking place around me. It’s a funny thing, the work of formation is less about teaching our children and more about journeying with them.