FocusOnTheFamily

Scripture squirrel

Written by Connie L. Peters

If you sing a Scripture verse often enough, toddlers will remember it. But singing does not guarantee they will learn the correct words – like the child who thought God’s name was Harold from the phrase in the Lord’s Prayer, “Hallowed be thy name.”

To ensure my children learned the right words, I enlisted the help of Scripture Squirrel. This friendly puppet couldn’t get the words right until the kids reminded him. They would learn the verses long before the poor squirrel, making them feel good about themselves.

Comprehension

Just because a child has memorized a verse doesn’t mean she understands it. To aid comprehension, act out Scripture using toys and stuffed animals. We performed Matthew 7:9 where Jesus asks, “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?”

When Annie Doll asked Clara Clown for bread, Clara gave her a rock. But when Annie asked Papa Bear, he gave her a piece of bread. We’d talk about how God gives good things when we ask, not stones. The kids seldom tired of this game and played it repeatedly, unaware they were learning.

Application

It’s not enough for a child to know and understand the verse; he also needs to apply it. For instance, when teaching Matthew 7:9, I’d pray with the children. But in daily life, they may not make the connection unless it’s pointed out. So when God answered our prayers, I’d say, “Hey, this is just like what happened with Annie and Papa Bear!”

If you sing, say, act, live and point it out, Scripture will be an active part of your children’s lives.

From Focus on Your Child’s Early Stages, January 2007, Vol. 5, No. 1. Published by Focus on the Family*. © 2006 Focus on the Family. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Used by permission. *U.S.A.