“Teaching our children to understand is more than just imparting information. It’s helping our children get the doctrine into their hearts in a way that it becomes part of their very being and is reflected in their attitudes and behavior throughout their lives.”
—Cheryl A. Esplin, “Teaching Our Children to Understand,” April 2012 general conference
“
Engaging Children as We Teach“ (2012 Auxiliary Training)”
Ideas to Help Children Identify the Doctrine
| Idea | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Reveal It | Reveal one word at a time as the children try to determine what the statement is. Consider covering each word with paper, placing the words around the room, or writing the first letter of each word on the chalkboard. |
| Pantomime It | Have the children create simple pantomimes or hand actions. |
| Discover It | Invite the children to search scripture verses to learn about the doctrine. |
| State It | Ask the children to state the doctrine. |
| Write It | Write the doctrine on the chalkboard. |
| Scramble It | Scramble the words of the doctrine. Ask the children to arrange the words so they make sense. |
Ideas to Help Children Understand the Doctrine
| Idea | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Ask Questions | Have children search scripture passages and teachings of latter-day prophets to understand the doctrine. Ask them to develop questions that could be answered with the scriptures and the teachings. |
| Match a Picture | Have children match pictures or drawings to scripture passages and teachings. |
| Fill in the Blanks | Write an incomplete statement about the doctrine on the board. Invite the children to look for important words or phrases from the scriptures and teachings of latter-day prophets that could complete the statement. |
| Discuss the Doctrine | Have children search scripture passages or quotations of latter-day prophets and discuss what they learn about the doctrine. |
| Look for Answers | Invite the children to look in the scriptures and teachings of latter-day prophets for answers to questions about the doctrine. |
| Make a List | Have children search the scriptures and teachings of latter-day prophets and then make a list of what they have learned about the doctrine. |
Ideas to Help Children Share the Doctrine
| Idea | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Trace Feet or Hands | Have the children personalize their commitment by writing a way to follow Jesus in their own footstep or writing a way to serve others in their own handprint. |
| Make a Spinner Game | Ask the child to come up with a related application to whatever the spinner points to. |
| Teach Each Other | Let individuals or groups discuss applications. Then let them share what they discussed with the rest of the Primary. |
| Music Games | Have the children pass an object around the room as they sing. Randomly stop the music. Whoever is holding the object shares an application. This will keep everyone thinking of an application they might share. |
| Dramatizations | Have some of the children role-play an application of the doctrine, and the rest of the children guess what they are doing. |
| Visual Reminders | Make a paper chain. Make road signs. Make class banners. Make salt dough figures. Draw a picture. Make bookmarks. |
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