Getting kids interested in anything can be quite a hassle. They are rambunctious, energetic, and hardly want to focus on one thing at a time. It's rather impressive how quickly children can be engulfed in an activity before finding a new thing to become immersed in. This makes teaching them a tall order, but it can be very hard when teaching them about the important things in life that they might not be entirely interested in. One such importantaspect of life is faith and religion.
Teaching children about faith, religion, and the Bible is difficult because you can hardly get them to sit still, let alone listen to passages and stories. It's important to educate children on religion and how it's useful in life because it helps children learn about new aspects of life they can use to grow their beliefs. Helping kids learn about the Bible is important, and here are some fun ways to teach them.
Puppet shows have always been an easy and accessible way to help children learn about Bible stories and verses. These easy to make and easier to act out shows are fun for a wide range of ages, up until a certain point. They cost very little to make and only require some patience when cutting out the costumes and stitching them together to make a very accurate depiction of Bible figures. Puppets are easy because you can help entertain children, while also providing valuable information they will be able to remember when you start to progress toward a more in-depth discussion surrounding the importance of religion and Christianity. These are especially great for young children and for parties.
Music has been around since as long as humans have known about making noise. That's why it makes such a useful tool to help children about the Bible and religion. Learning through repetition can help associate complex verses or books of the Bible with rhymes and rhythm, so kids can catch on easier. For important questions regarding faith, when we ask, "What's the meaning of genesis?" we can sometimes go over children's heads, but helping them learn through a song is a much easier way for them to hold onto information and remember it better. Reciting songs is good for memory building, so it's useful beyond just using it to learn about the Bible. It can also be used to educate them on things like math. Kids learn from patterns well, and songs can be an enjoyable way to start learning about important figures and verses that they need to know.
When children reach the age when they are comfortable being away from home, sleepaway Bible camps can be one of the most rewarding ways to help your child receive an educational, but fun crash course in religion. Bible camps help teach children about the rich history contained within the Bible, and learn how to recite verses and prayers, but it teaches much more than just the Bible. These camps allow children to learn about responsibility when they are away from home, take care of their sleep cabin, treat others with respect, and introduce them to new friends to make lifelong bonds. Bible camps offer a tremendous amount of fun for children and teaches them life skills along with knowledge on religion.
4. Building Dioramas or Models
Getting creative with the arts, like felt puppets, helps kids learn in a hands-on way. Dioramas or models of Bible scenes allow children to put a lot of effort into understanding and visualizing the good book's important moments. Moses parting the Red Sea, or Noah's flood and the Ark, or the birth of Jesus are all very recognizable events in the Bible that kids will remember well, but they might be harder to visualize. Turning them into clay models, dioramas in a box, or building them using toys like building bricks/blocks allows children to create the scenes they will be reading about in their Bible studies or at school. In a similar manner to songs, these events can be much better recognized when a child has a firmer grasp on the concept of it by associating it with a physical thing they made. Not to mention, children will enjoy the play aspect without realizing how much they are really learning!
Performance arts have always been a big part of learning about the Bible. Sing-alongs, puppet shows, and creative arts have allowed people to teach each other about religion for hundreds and hundreds of years, and they are still easy to apply today when helping educate kids on the joys of the Christian faith. Dramatic reenactments of the Bible can be fun ways to keep kids interested in the material. Adding props like the apple from the Garden of Eden, or David and Goliath, and the Ten Plagues from Exodus are all really notable events that can be done well with some household items, or even store-bought props from a dollar store could work. Getting kids involved in the process by having them act out the events helps them review what they learn and showcase their knowledge.
Learning about the Bible and religion can be a tough task for parents because children are so energetic and want to play all the time. They barely have time to sit down and focus; they just need to go, which is why you need to come up with a way to keep them focused, have fun, and learn. It might seem like a difficult task, but these helpful ways to get your children educated on religion and the Bible can do the trick - whether you need a simple, cost-effective way like a prop-filled puppet or play, or a timeless way such as a Bible camp. There are many ways you can help your kids learn this foundational aspect of their life while showing them how enjoyable it can be at the same time.
