Memory Verses for Preschoolers: Why They Should be Simple
Memory verses are a great tool for reinforcing lessons and Bible stories to your Sunday school classroom. Older children have a better ability at remembering and retaining memory verses, but preschoolers need a little more time. The following tips will help you teach your Sunday school children the memory verses, while retaining the lesson.
Keep it simple:
The first rule of thumb when teaching your class a new memory verse is to keep it as simple as possible. Preschoolers simply do not have the ability to remember long, complicated verses. Simple is always better. To keep memory verses simple, aim for a single sentence or just a few words that gets the point of the lesson across. Simple examples of easy to remember memory verses include Luke 12:34: For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also. Or, Psalms 148:3: Praise ye Him, sun and moon praise Him, all ye stars of light. These are just two examples of how simple you can keep the memory verse for the children to remember.
Have fun with it:
Next, in order for preschoolers to retain a memory verse, you will want to have fun with it and not repeat it over and over again. Repetition is boring at this age, so think of ways to incorporate the verse into your weekly activities. For the above examples, you could make a star and moon mobile for the children to take home, or stamp stars and moons in a black sheet of paper in glow in the dark paint. Make sure you include the memory verse on every craft, too.
Sing the verse:
Another great idea to help your children remember their memory verse is to come up with a simple song or poem that they can sing or say. Simply saying the verse may not do the trick, but put it with a catchy tune, and you may find they are able to remember it much faster.
Give out rewards:
You might also want to consider giving out rewards for remembering memory verses. Introduce the verse one week and send it home for practicing. If the child can repeat the verse the following week, let them add a sticker to a memory verse chart or get a small treat out of a prize box. You will want to have realistic expectations for your children, too. On average, you can expect preschoolers to remember and retain one memory verse a month.
It is not impossible for your preschoolers to remember memory verses. Help them along by presenting these verses in a fun, easy to remember manner.
Denise Oliveri is a Sunday School teacher of 13+ years. Her website Preschool Sunday School Central provides preschool Sunday School teachers with resources when planning Bible lesson plans.
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