Start with a Story: Commandment Fun for Littles
Ever tried summarizing the Ten Commandments to a room full of preschoolers? Imagine the scene: crackers flying, juice spilling, and me, in the middle, trying to explain ‘Thou shalt not steal’ to four-year-olds eyeing the last cookie. That’s when I realized teaching these concepts needs creativity, fun, and yes, a ton of patience.
Everyday Goodness: Simplifying Righteous Living
Simplifying the commandments into everyday goodness can be a game-changer. ‘Be kind’, ‘Share with others’, ‘Listen to your parents’, becomes the preschooler-friendly version of some heavy biblical texts. My little Jamie’s response to ‘Honor your father and mother’? ‘So, I should give you a hug?’ Exactly, kiddo, you’re getting it.
Games that Teach: Playful Learning
Turning lessons into games transformed our learning. ‘Red light, Green light’ became ‘Truth light, Fib light’ for ‘Thou shalt not bear false witness.’ Not only did they get a kick out of stopping and going, but the squeals of ‘Truth light!‘ also showed they were grasping the concept of honesty.
Visual Aids: Pictures that Preach
Don’t underestimate the power of a good visual. A poster with simple symbols for each commandment—heart for love, hands for help, mouth for kind words—gave the children clues and something tangible to remember. Plus, it was a preschooler-approved decorating choice for the classroom.
Sing Along: Rhythms of Righteousness
Music works wonders. We made up silly songs for each commandment that had the kids laughing and learning. ‘We love our friends and share our toys,’ sung to the tune of their favorite nursery rhymes, had even the most fidgety child singing along.
Celebrate Achievements: Cheers and Rewards
Finally, celebrating their progress in understanding and applying these teachings brought joy and motivation. Stickers for acts of kindness related to the commandments or a small party after completing our ‘Commandment Quest’ made righteousness feel like a fun, shared journey, not a list of rules.
