Have you heard of Little Music Church?

Little Music Church is a brand new children's ministry resource that combines music, movement and age-appropriate encouragement for children learning about God (and all with an Aussie accent!). I got to know Steph, the program's creator, a while back when she contacted me to chat about Christian children's books. As you know, I love talking about kids books and had a few suggestions she could use with young children at church. However her vision wasn't just limited to books. She wanted to create an early childhood curriculum to support young children as they explore the Christian faith, and she wanted to use music and movement too. I loved hearing her story and heart for encouraging kids in their faith, so when I heard Little Music Church was being launched I was pretty excited. Even though my kids are all grown up, I know the songs and music they learned as little kids stuck. That's how children learn! And when the songs they engage with contain truths about following Jesus, it's even better.
I had the chance to interview Steph about Little Music Church the other day. Here's what she had to say...

Penny: What made you start Little Music Church? Are all the songs originally yours, or do you collaborate with other artists?
Steph: Funnily enough, it all started in a church leaders’ meeting! (Dull, right?) We had just farewelled a long-standing crèche leader, and in her absence, we parents were doing our best to keep our little ones quiet during services—without much success!
When our pastor mentioned he envisioned a music program to teach young children about God, I was instantly inspired—knowing it would be the perfect way to teach young children about God. I started looking for songs that would engage small children through actions, movement, and play, were sung in an Aussie accent, and would help children encounter Jesus and explore Christian doctrine. They had to be joyful and also help children connect with each other and their care-givers. Honestly, I struggled to find enough that met all these criteria. Since I was already a singer-songwriter, I began writing my own. I never imagined publishing the music - I simply wanted something for our church - but I hadn’t anticipated how many families would be blessed by the program (or how persistent they’d be in asking me to share the songs with others!).
My band members sometimes contribute to the songwriting process, and I hope to collaborate with other Christian children’s artists in the future!

Penny: You launch each song with an optional lesson version too. Can you explain why having two options was such a priority for you?
Steph: Every Little Music Church song is built around a theme—a concept about God or the Christian faith that we want the children to discover. I like to include a short introduction or “mini-lesson” to the music videos to help draw out that theme. But we also provide a version without the introduction, so children can jump straight into the song if they prefer.

Penny: What, in your opinion, is so special about children when it comes to learning about God?
Steph: Children are the smallest disciples! They may be young, but they are still valued members of the body of Christ— capable of encountering Jesus and growing in Him. They shouldn’t just be entertained; they should be nurtured in their faith.
And children are so much fun! Their unbridled enthusiasm for play, creativity, and imagination makes their journey of faith so joyful. They love to be active, they delight in music, and they thrive on close connections with others. They experience joy so freely—and what a gift that is when learning about God!

Penny: If you could pick only one song that sums up the whole vision of Little Music Church, what would it be?
Steph: Wow that’s a tough one, but the title track of our debut album--Growing—says it all! It’s full of big, lively movements that let children actively engage with the song. Based on Luke 2:52, it’s all about children GROWING—just as Jesus grew—and growing in their love for God and their knowledge of His love for them. 

For more information about Little Music Church you can pop over to their website.