About
Mission
Developed by an incoming doctoral student welcomed into the CACREP-accredited Counselor Education and Supervision PhD program at Liberty University, The Wonder of Words in God's World is a toddler enrollment program similar to a Mother's Day Out, but intentionally built on the foundations of psychology and theology. Backed by a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Counseling (currently finalizing articulation at Liberty), this framework draws conceptual inspiration from neurotheological researchers like Dr. Andrew Newberg. It translates clinical concepts of attachment, co-regulation, and early emotional development into simple, creative emotional play. By anchoring this precision within a distinct Christian worldview, the program showcases how giving toddlers the words to express their big feelings shapes their growing minds, builds secure relational connections, and supports their early spiritual formation.
Thesis
By anchoring early childhood literacy in a distinct Christian worldview, structured language programs bridge a child's natural psychological milestones with spiritual truths. The Wonder of Words in God's World leverages this intersection to transform simple toddler play into a foundation for secure relational connections, confident self-expression, and lifelong spiritual formation
Method
This program applies a developmentally aligned method, transforming the space where psychology meets theology into intentional emotional play.
Research & Foundation
Identifying core behavioral components such as vocabulary for big feelings, secure attachment boundaries, and early spiritual formation milestones.
Practical Applications
Activating key behavioral milestones through purposeful play, focusing on emotional literacy, safe relational boundaries, and early steps in spiritual formation.
Evaluation
Measuring key growth indicators, such as a toddler's ability to name big feelings, navigate boundaries safely, and demonstrate early steps in spiritual character development.
Project Overview
The Wonder of Words Circles
Toddlers engaged in interactive play and spiritual grounding exercises to expand their emotional vocabulary and develop a confident voice rooted in faith.
Thresholds of Discovery
Toddlers utilized cooperative play groups and behavioral modeling exercises to expand their interpersonal communication and discover their distinct individualities. Participants learned to regulate strong emotional impulses, cooperate within a classroom community, and build the foundational psychological-theological resilience necessary for positive developmental growth.
Overcoming with Truth
Toddlers engaged in safe, therapeutic play scenarios and biblical storytelling to process fear and build cognitive resilience. Participants learned to identify internal anxieties, confront behavioral challenges, and establish a profound sense of psychological security and spiritual victory in their environment.
Key Insights
1
Expressive emotional play expands a child’s relational capacity, significantly boosting their developmental confidence and nurturing a free-thinking mind.
2
Integrating psychological milestones, behavioral observations, and theological truth deepens a toddler's emotional resilience and supports positive behavioral growth.
3
Creative storytelling pairs internal feelings with healthy communication, fostering secure attachments and deeper connections with God and others.
Contact Us
Get in Touch
Please feel free to connect with Erica for more information about The Wonder of Words in God's World. I am here to walk alongside your family and support your toddler's foundational growth.
