God has created each of us - and our kids - with unique skills, wiring, abilities, and temperaments. He has gifted each of us with feelings and emotions; valuable signals about what it going on in deeper within us.

We hope these resources will be a blessing - and a launch point for you as parents - as you navigate how best to love and support your children (and yourselves).

• Feelings Wheel for kids
  This was developed by our Westgate Kids team to help kids put words to how they may be feeling. There are many versions online - including more with pictures if that is a better fit for your child.

• How I Feel & What I Need worksheet // editable version

• Whole-Brain Child Daniel Siegel

• Discipline that Connects with Your Child’s Heart Jim & Lynne Jackson

• A Grown-Ups Guide to Kids Wiring Kathleen Edelman

• Feeding the Mouth that Bites You Kenneth Wilgus

• 8 Great Smarts Kathy Koch

• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry‍ ‍John Mark Comer

• The Anxious Generation‍ ‍Jonathan Haidt

• Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Peter Scazzero

• Habits of the Household Justin Whitmel Early

• Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles that Can Radically Change Your Family Paul David Tripp

• Did you know our counseling ministry offers counseling for kids? Our highly trained and passionate team is waiting to walk with you and your family through whatever season you may be in. Contact our Counseling Ministry for further information.

Dedicating your child to the Lord is an opportunity to recognize that all gifts come from the Father above - and we are created by Him and for Him. Child Dedication is a voluntary act signifying the commitment of the parent(s) to do their best to raise their child to be a follower of Christ.

Our team has developed a Child Dedication Info & Devotional booklet to help parents walk through what it means to dedicate their child.
Printed copies are available in the Westgate nursery.

There are Child Dedication services throughout the year. Please contact our Westgate Kids team to learn more.

At Westgate Kids, we use the NIrV Bible translation, but kids are welcome to use any version they have. We would be happy to provide a Bible for your child - just let us know!

There are also great children’s Bibles if you are looking for a simple way to read God’s Word with your family.

• The Beginner’s Bible Zondervan

• Beginner’s Gospel Storybook Bible Jared Kennedy

• Jesus Storybook Bible Sally Lloyd Jones

Devotionals are a great way to spend time as a family or parent/child in meaningful ways - fixing our thoughts on God, following Jesus, and listening to the Spirit. There are SO many out there - here are a few of our favorites!

• Are your kids fascinated by science and the world around them? Indescribable Kids by Louie Giglio are daily devotionals that show attributes of God through His creation and the world around us.

• Looking to help your family learn more about the the Bible and Prayer? Check these out!
  I Can Learn… The Bible
  I Can Learn… To Pray
  Holly Hawkins Shivers

Communion is a gift from Jesus - a time to remember who He is, what He did for us, and what He promises to do.

At Westgate, we serve a Believer’s Communion and let families decide when their children are ready to participate in Communion.

Each year we offer a Passover to Communion event on the Wednesday of Holy Week as a time to explain and practice Communion for older elementary kids.

Our team has developed a Kids Communion booklet to help families walk through Communion together.
Printed copies are available at the Westgate Front Desk.

Baptism is a very special act of obedience and a testimony (telling others) that you have decided to follow Jesus Christ.

There is no age limit or number of years of believing in Jesus that should prevent someone from being baptized.

Our team has developed a Kid’s Baptism Guide to help kids learn more about baptism with their families.
Printed copies are available at the Westgate Front Desk.

If you or your child would like to be a part of the next baptismal service or simply learn more, please contact fill out this Baptism Interest form or contact us.

Stories are a meaningful way to teach truth to our children. Here are some of our favorites.

• Tales that Tell the Truth books Various Authors

• The Wemmicks series Max Lucado

• Clubhouse JR. and Clubhouse magazines Focus on the Family

• God Made Me books Various Authors

• Brave Girls books, devotionals, and activities by Travis Thrasher

• God Gave Us… books by Lisa Tawn Bergren

Great options for road trips and times at home. Many include scripture set to song - truth that will stay with your kids throughout their lives! Be sure to check out Study Gateway and other streaming platforms.

• GT and the Halo Express

• Adventures in Odyssey Audio Adventures

• Psalty Adventures

• Seeds Family Worship Bible verses set to music by a variety of artists

• Tiny Theologians podcast

• The Official Average Boy podcast Kids & Parents can laugh together and learn about God with this Christian podcast for families.

• Curiously Kaitlyn podcast Geared more toward adults, Kaitlyn takes a question from an inquisitive kids about God, the Bible, or theology and brings on a scholar to answer the question in a way that makes sense even if you don’t have a PhD in Theology.