Instilling God’s Word in every child’s heart

With our easy-to-follow lessons, teachers can focus on kids’ unique needs while helping them hide God’s Word in their hearts.

“The material is child-friendly and helps the teacher have an awesome class.”

Children's Minister

Christian Church/Church of Christ, Iowa

Bible-based lessons with special needs features

Classroom Format, Toddler to Grade 6

Second-hour options for younger children

Do you struggle to find curriculum that works for your church?

Do your volunteers need trusted, ready-to-go lesson plans?
Do you want to feel confident in helping all kids engage with God’s Word?
Are you looking for opportunities to include kids with special needs?
Do you worry about spending your budget on lessons that entertain more than teach?

HeartShaper provides teacher-friendly lessons to reach the heart of every child.

With our well-crafted program, training tools, and free extras, your team is equipped to teach Bible skills and help kids grow in their walk with God.

HeartShaper uses ICB^® for early childhood and NIV^® for elementary and preteen. KJV options are also included.

Try HeartShaper

Get instant access for a closer look at HeartShaper sample lessons and browse samples for all David C Cook curriculum programs.

Because a life of faith starts in the heart

From toddler years through sixth grade, HeartShaper takes kids on a journey through the Bible five times to discover God’s story and how they are a part of His plan.

Young Kids

Each lesson plan integrates easy-to-use options for teachers:

Quick Steps™ for easy prep
2+ hours of material, including interactive Bible Discovery time
Colorful visuals and weekly encounters with puppet friends
Digital music tracks and printable files
Built-in flexibility for special needs and any class size

Toddler / 2 • Ages 1-2 Years

Encourage little ones to sing, play, laugh, and talk in the way God made them to do!

Recommended Class Materials

Toddlers and 2s Teacher Guide, one per teacher
Toddlers and 2s Teacher’s Convenience Kit, one per class
Take-home resources for families
Companion activity books with coloring pages

*Note: Audio tracks and printable files previously found on the Convenience Kit CD are now provided as downloadable digital files.

Preschool • Ages 2-4 Years

Introduce preschoolers to Bible stories to learn that God made them, loves them, and cares for them.

Recommended Class Materials

Preschool Teacher Guide, one per teacher
Preschool Teacher’s Convenience Kit, one per class
Heart Tugs take-home lessons, one set per 5 students
Companion activity books with coloring pages, crafts, puppet scripts, and more

Ask your Ministry Consultant about these kit materials also available separately:

Preschool Resources with interactive visuals, audio tracks, and printable files, one per class
Preschool & Pre-K & K Teaching Pictures, one per class
Preschool Make-and-Share activity pages, one per student

*Note: Audio tracks and printable files previously found on the Convenience Kit CD are now provided as downloadable digital files.

Pre-Kindergarten—Kindergarten

Invite children to engage with Bible stories through praising and thanking God, along with doing simple tasks to show love for God, Jesus, and others.

Recommended Class Materials

Pre-K & K Teacher Guide, one per teacher
Pre-K & K Teacher’s Convenience Kit, one per class
Heart Tugs take-home lessons, one set per 5 students
Companion activity books with coloring pages, crafts, puppet scripts, and more

Ask your Ministry Consultant about these kit materials also available separately:

Pre-K & K Resources with interactive visuals, audio tracks, and printable files one per class
Preschool & Pre-K & K Teaching Pictures, one per class
Preschool Make-and-Share activity pages, one per student

*Note: Audio tracks and printable files previously found on the Convenience Kit CD are now provided as downloadable digital files.

Elementary Kids

Each lesson plan integrates easy-to-use options for teachers:

Quick Steps™ for easy prep
Engaging activities and visuals to support Bible learning
Integrated reading, writing, and Bible skills
Digital audio tracks and printable files
Built-in flexibility for special needs and any class size

Early Elementary • Grades 1-2

Encourage children to find and read Bible verses on their own and take steps to follow God’s guidance

Recommended Class Materials

Early Elementary Teacher Guide, one per teacher
Early Elementary Teacher’s Convenience Kit, one per class*
Weekly Bible Reader® take-home resource, one set per 5 students
Companion activity books with coloring pages, crafts, puzzles, and more

Ask your Ministry Consultant about these kit materials also available separately:

Early Elementary Resources with interactive visuals, audio tracks, and printable files, one per class
Early Elementary Teaching Pictures, one per class
Early Elementary Activities, one per class

*Note: Audio tracks and printable files previously found on the Convenience Kit CD are now provided as downloadable digital files.

Middle Elementary • Grades 3-4

Help kids have fun while they’re learning important truths, developing Bible skills, exploring Bible chronology, and discovering how they fit into God’s plan.

Recommended Class Materials

Middle Elementary Teacher Guide, one per teacher
Middle Elementary Teacher’s Convenience Kit, one per class*
Kidz Chat® take-home magazine, one set per 5 students
Companion activity books with crafts, puzzles, and more

Ask your Ministry Consultant about these kit materials also available separately:

Middle Elementary Resources with interactive visuals, audio tracks, and printable files, one per class
Middle Elementary Activities, one per student

*Note: Audio tracks and printable files previously found on the Convenience Kit CD are now provided as downloadable digital files.

Preteens

Each lesson plan integrates easy-to-use options for teachers:

Quick Steps™ for easy prep
Integrated Bible discovery and study skills
Bible timelines and posters, service project ideas, challenging activities
Digital audio tracks and printable files
Built-in flexibility for special needs and any class size

Preteen • Grades 5-6

Guide preteen students beyond right and wrong answers as you engage with them in meaningful discussions and encourage their commitment to follow Christ.

Recommended Class Materials

PreTeen Teacher Guide, one per teacher
PreTeen Teacher’s Convenience Kit, one per class*
Live Wire^® take-home magazine, one set per 5 students
Companion activity books with puzzles and more

Ask your Ministry Consultant about these kit materials also available separately:

PreTeen Resources with interactive visuals, audio tracks, and printable files, one per class
PreTeen Activities, one per student

*Note: Audio tracks and printable files previously found on the Convenience Kit CD are now provided as downloadable digital files.

“HeartShaper helps kids grow in their faith with the excellent resources for teachers and students. It covers important topics and application.”

Sunday School Teacher

Evangelical Free Church, Minnesota

Sample HeartShaper

Get instant access for a closer look at HeartShaper sample lessons and browse samples for all David C Cook curriculum programs. If you have questions, one of our friendly ministry consultants will be happy to help.

More ways to strengthen faith and connection

Building on the solid foundation of HeartShaper lessons, these extra resources and features let you customize the class experience, relationship connections, and take-home opportunities for every age level.

Special Needs

All Ages

HeartShaper makes it easy to include every child in each step of the lesson. Throughout the teacher guides and in the Resources printable files, the Special Needs Friendly symbol points to helpful tips and activity adaptations. Plus, you’ll receive access to free how-to guides and podcast episodes to equip and encourage you.

*Note: Printable special needs helps previously found on age-level CDs are now provided with the Resources digital files.

Teacher Training Slide Decks and Videos

New to HeartShaper Children’s Curriculum? Not quite sure how to use the different parts of the curriculum? Never taught before? Haven’t taught for a while? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’ll be glad to know that we provide free training videos by age level, plus tips for engaging children.

Puppet Patterns and Scripts

Toddler—Kindgarten

Encounters with puppet friends help young children enjoy and engage with each weekly lesson. HeartShaper early childhood lessons feature Teddy the bear, Scamper the squirrel, and Scout the sheepdog. We provide free patterns to make your own stick or paper bag puppets, or you can purchase furry puppets. And, we’ll recommend our favorite book of reproducible puppet scripts too.

Family Resources

All Ages

Be the source for encouraging families to continue talking about what kids are learning in their HeartShaper classrooms. Use the quarterly modifiable Family Connections letters to help parents know what will be happening during the upcoming months. Send parents links for weekly Family Together Time (early childhood age levels) or Faith & Family (elementary and preteen age levels).

Activity Books

All Ages

Creative activities make lessons fun and memorable for kids. With our recommended activity books for every age level, you’ll never run out of ideas—and they’re reproducible, so you can serve classes of any size at a low cost. Each book comes with a table of contents so you can tie each activity to a lesson. Most are correlated with HeartShaper curriculum. Ask your Ministry Consultant about adding activity books to your curriculum order.

Ministry Spark is a go-to place for ideas and inspiration for children’s ministry leaders and volunteers. These ideas come in all shapes and sizes—from articles posted weekly to free downloadable resources made for you! We encourage you to check it out and subscribe to their newsletter for the latest articles, webinars, and free resources.

“We love using HeartShaper curriculum for our preschoolers and children’s Sunday morning lessons.”

Houston River Baptist Church

Get help finding the right curriculum for your ministry.

Have questions? Need some fresh ideas? Our Ministry Consultants can save you time and boost your confidence as you choose what works best for you and your context.