A few months ago, my son came home and, for the first time in a while, threw himself on the floor when he didn’t get his way. To be honest, I was a little shocked. This is not his usual behavior.
Thankfully, his aunty was around for the weekend (thank God for my village!). She calmly but firmly said, “No, we do not do that,” and just like that, he stopped.
Later that evening, as I took stock of the day, something clicked. I realized there had been new kids in his daycare class. At his center, they usually group children between ages 2.5 and 6 years, and with new intakes, there are always new behaviors floating around, new habits, and new ways of reacting.
And that is when it hit me: our kids are watching, learning, and testing. If we do not teach them what is acceptable, the world around them will.
If you read my last post on helping toddlers calm down, this one builds right on it because once they learn to calm down, the next big lesson is learning what to do when they do not get what they want.
What’s Really Happening
At this age, toddlers are like sponges. They absorb what they see, both the good and the not-so-good. When my son saw another child throw himself on the floor, he was not being “bad.” He was observing and trying to see if that same behavior would be okay at home.
Here’s the truth: Children are born with sin. We do not have to teach them to say “no,” snatch a toy, or cry when things do not go their way. That comes naturally. What does not come naturally is obedience, patience, and self-control.
That is why Prayer, Correction, and Training (P.C.T.) are so important. It is not just a parenting tip; it is a calling.
Faith-based parenting for toddlers starts right here, teaching them to understand emotions, manage disappointment, and respond with kindness and truth.
Why Prayer, Correction, and Training Matter
Our children’s emotions are not the enemy. They are invitations, opportunities to teach and shape their hearts. When we respond with prayer, correction, and training, we are partnering with God to guide their growth from the inside out.
The P.C.T. Approach — Pray, Correct, Train
Here is how you can start using P.C.T. every day:
Pray
Before reacting, pause and pray for wisdom, patience, and your child’s heart, and most importantly, yourself. I honestly feel this part is just as important for us as parents. Some moments test your patience so deeply that you need to whisper a prayer right where you stand.
Even before you see signs of emotional outbursts, this is one area I truly believe we should start praying about early, whether you are pregnant, have a baby, or are raising a toddler.
Ask God to shape their hearts, strengthen their spirit, and prepare them to handle disappointment well. Even for older kids, rejection and unmet desires show up in different forms, so being prayerfully prepared matters.
One thing to do daily is to include it in your child’s morning prayer. It helps them remember to ask God for a calm heart and to make good choices throughout the day.
You can also pray with your child, even in simple words:
“Dear Jesus, when I do not get what I want, help me stay calm and make good choices.”
Prayer always comes first because only God can truly transform hearts, ours and theirs.
Faith-based parenting for toddlers begins in prayer, long before the tantrum even starts.
Correct
Correction is not about punishment; it is about direction. Set clear boundaries and be consistent. When your child tests a limit, stay calm but firm:
“We do not do that here.” “I understand you are upset, but that is not how we respond.”
Children feel secure when they know where the boundaries are, and consistency teaches trust.
Correction, when done with love, shows them that limits are not rejection; they are protection. This is at the heart of faith-based parenting for toddlers: guiding behavior while nurturing their spirit.
Train
Training happens in the quiet moments, not just after the tears. When they are calm and things are peaceful, use that opportunity to reteach and reinforce what the right behavior looks like.
And one of the best tools for training? Scripture.
“For the word of God is living and active… it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12
The Word of God is powerful enough to correct, comfort, and guide even our little ones.
I love using Wise Words for Moms by Ginger Hubbard as a quick reference — it lists helpful Bible verses for different behaviors and emotions. You can research verses that address what your child is facing: anger, sharing, patience, and kindness.
One thing I started doing with Ari is letting him read short verses himself (using simplified versions like NLT ). When he struggles to understand a word, I explain it gently and relate it to something he knows. These moments not only teach reading and comprehension but also plant God’s truth deep in his heart.
Training with Scripture is one of the most powerful parts of faith-based parenting for toddlers.
Practical Ways to Practice Emotional Control
Practice Delayed Gratification
Intentionally create small waiting moments:
“We will open the snack after we tidy up the toys.”
“We will play outside after I finish my tea.”
Use a timer: “We will wait for the bell, then it is your turn.”
These small pauses teach that waiting is okay and that joy can come after patience.
Praise the Right Reactions
Catch them doing it right:
“I saw that you waited patiently. That was great self-control.”
Encouragement reinforces learning far better than lectures.
Use Faith to Anchor Feelings
Bring God’s Word into everyday emotions:
“The Bible says to be quick to listen and slow to get angry.” (James 1:19) Repeat it with motions, like we practiced in this blog post.
Why This Matters Before Kindergarten
I truly believe this is one of the most important skills to teach before our children enter kindergarten. Letters, numbers, and colors matter, but emotional control and patience shape how they learn, listen, and love others.
By practicing P.C.T. — Pray, Correct, Train, we are preparing their hearts, not just their hands, for school and for life.
They will face new classmates, personalities, and moments when things do not go their way. But if we start early, praying over their hearts, correcting with love, and training with Scripture, they will be ready to make godly choices even when no one is watching.
Faith-based parenting for toddlers is about shaping hearts through everyday moments that point them back to God.
Final Thoughts
The next time your child does not get what they want, pause before reacting. Pray first, correct calmly, and train consistently — and whisper a prayer in your heart, because you need one too.
Because the truth is, our children are not just learning behavior; they are learning character. And with God’s help, that growth will be rooted in patience, peace, and love.
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