Memory Work
Memorize something?
I'd rather not. It's hard for me, and any mumbo-jumbo I do manage to commit to memory is quickly lost in the bucket of mush I call "my brain."
That being said, I have reached my adulthood knowing just a few verses or sayings, and most of those are ridiculous.
Examples:
So I determined that when I became The Perfect Mama (which lasted all of about three seconds after the first child was born), I would have my kids memorize all sorts of things whether they wanted to or not.
Lately we've been working on The Ten Commandments. Seems like a worthy goal. It's good to review just how dirty-rotten-of-a-no-good-sinner you really are, clicking your transgressions off one at a time.
But oh, the mercies, they are-a new every morning.
Our family keeps an index card at the dinner table, and each time we sit down for a meal, we commit a little bit more to memory. Or we just review what we already know and spend some time feeling good about ourselves.
Here is the version we use, a combination of two lists I found in On My Own Reader Bible and Play and Learn Bible (which by the way, are both excellent Bibles for kids). These ten commands are short and sweet enough for young kids and their memory-deficient mother.
The Ten Commandments
I'd rather not. It's hard for me, and any mumbo-jumbo I do manage to commit to memory is quickly lost in the bucket of mush I call "my brain."
That being said, I have reached my adulthood knowing just a few verses or sayings, and most of those are ridiculous.
Examples:
"Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Who eats the fastest, gets the most."That rite thar shood show you the kwality of edukashun and learnin I had in my formutiv years.
"You can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose. But you can't pick your friend's nose."
"Love Shack, baby Love Shack!"
So I determined that when I became The Perfect Mama (which lasted all of about three seconds after the first child was born), I would have my kids memorize all sorts of things whether they wanted to or not.
Lately we've been working on The Ten Commandments. Seems like a worthy goal. It's good to review just how dirty-rotten-of-a-no-good-sinner you really are, clicking your transgressions off one at a time.
But oh, the mercies, they are-a new every morning.
Our family keeps an index card at the dinner table, and each time we sit down for a meal, we commit a little bit more to memory. Or we just review what we already know and spend some time feeling good about ourselves.
Here is the version we use, a combination of two lists I found in On My Own Reader Bible and Play and Learn Bible (which by the way, are both excellent Bibles for kids). These ten commands are short and sweet enough for young kids and their memory-deficient mother.
The Ten Commandments
- Do not worship any other gods.
- Do not make idols of any kind.
- Do not misuse the name of God.
- Rest on the seventh day. Keep it holy.
- Honor your father and mother.
- Do not murder.
- Respect marriage.
- Do not steal.
- Do not lie.
- Do not long for other people's things.
And I give you full permission to break the eighth commandment and steal this list for your own family.
Happy memorizing.
Oh! If you have tips for memorizing The Ten Commandments, I'd be happy to hear them. Mnemonic devices and all.
And for more tips, head over to Rocks In My Dryer.
Happy memorizing.
Oh! If you have tips for memorizing The Ten Commandments, I'd be happy to hear them. Mnemonic devices and all.
And for more tips, head over to Rocks In My Dryer.
3 comments:
Great tip! My 3 year old is in a bible study program called AWANAs where he learns a bible verse each week. Unfortunately for his age group they only require them to memorize on part of the verse--so I over-teach him and we practice the whole verse. He easily remembers the part he needs to learn plus understands a little more about what he's reciting thanks to the added context. Learning the 10 Commandments is a great idea--will work on that one!
sadly, this is an area that i don't follow through with like i've alway wanted to... thanks for the nudge.
blessings,
Karla
I think it's great to teach your kids the Ten Commandments. I found this PDF online recently for helping kids learn the ten commandments. It is on the Living Waters website.
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