Teaching Children

My husband and I have taught faith formation classes every year for the past 23 years. In that time we've taught everyone from preschoolers to grand-parents. Every age brings its own delights, differences, and similarities. Of all the ages, though, I think I enjoy the little kids the most. The ones that are old enough to begin a conversation on faith. I love little kids. They are eager to learn, eager to sing, eager to walk like a duck... what ever we ask them to do it's all fun to them. I remember one time when we were talking about belonging to a family.

“When you came into the world God did not place you in the middle of a field to be found like an Easter egg did he? Heavens no! So how did you get here?" I asked.

Hands shot up in the air. They were all eager to tell me, "From inside mama."

“That's right,” I said with a grin. Many of them have little brothers and sisters and knew exactly what I was talking about.

I continued, “God brought you into the world with another person. The moment you were born you were not alone. God gave you a family.”

We spent time talking about all the wonderful things that mothers and fathers do: moms cook and clean, dads read books and play ball (they have it figured out.)

“God was very good to give us a mother and a father, wasn't he?” I asked.

“Yeeesss,” they replied on cue.

“Thank God for mommies and daddies who take good care of us and give us lots of hugs and kisses.”

Then we talked about another kind of mother and father God gave us, I went on, “When we were baptized we were not alone. We came into our family the Church with others. This family also has a mother and father to love us and take care of us. God was very good to give us Mary our Mother and our holy priests to be our spiritual Fathers. Thank you, God.”

“Thank you God,” they echoed.

During this little conversation I began to teach the children some great theological truths: that we have a body and a soul, and God wants us to keep both our body and soul healthy and happy so we can always be with God and God's family.

As I explained this concept I asked them, “Are your hands a part of your soul or part of your body?”

They all answered, "bah-dy."

Then I asked if their hair was part of their soul or part of their body and they replied “Bah-dy” in unison.

Next I asked about their heart. “Is it a part of your soul or your body?” To that, one very clever little girl put her hands on her heart and answered, "My soul."

That’s right,” I replied with delight. I thought for sure that one would be a trick question. God is good to give us children. Thank you God!