Ways for Children to Learn the Ten Commandments

Interactive Play

• Children remember things more vividly if they have the opportunity to participate in a lesson. An idea is to act out the Ten Commandments in order, setting up a scenario for each commandment. Discuss the commandments with the children, and ask for volunteer ̶0;actors̶1; to act out each commandment. Encourage them to come with own ideas, but coach them if they go wrong. An alternative is to play an interactive game called ̶0;hot brick,̶1; which is similar to musical chairs. Let the children pass the brick around until you say ̶0;Stop!̶1; and ask the one who is holding the brick to recite a commandment. You can also teach them to count the Ten Commandments on their fingers, associating each hand gesture with a commandment.

Visual Reminders

• Visual reminders such as memory pegs will remind the children about the commandments throughout the week. Create 10 posters, each with a big number and an illustration that the child will associate with a commandment. Put this up in the child̵7;s room or throughout the house, as a constant reminder of the Ten Commandments and what they stand for. An idea is to only print out big numbers and let the children create the illustrations themselves.

Quizzes, Tests and Puzzles

• Once you have explained the Ten Commandments to the children, a quiz, test or puzzle is a fun way to refresh their memory. Create your own quiz or puzzle, or print one out from an online source such as GardenofPraise. Alternatively encourage them to visit websites such as Garden of Praise or The Ten Commandments, featuring online activities with the Ten Commandments as a main topic.

Ten Commandment Song or Rap

• Words are often easier to remember when set to music or rap. Use a tune that will be easy for the kids to remember, such as that of a familiar children̵7;s song and set the words of the Ten Commandments to it. Teach the children this song, and let them repeat it often. For older kids, it might be a good idea to create a rap, as they will perceive this as ̶0;cooler̶1; than a children̵7;s song. See resources for a few examples of Ten Commandment Songs for children.