My daughter helped her class set a goal to earn their Gospel in Action award in Primary. Together they read over the requirements for the award and made plans to achieve them. They quickly realized that the stumbling block was the requirement to memorize and explain each of the thirteen Articles of Faith. . This description of some of our most important beliefs was not written with children in mind. Children love to play games and play is a great way to teach almost anything you want children to learn. Remember to play these in a non-competitive way, with everyone helping each other as needed, because the handbook says that we should avoid competition on Sundays. All children should feel like winners in Primary! Non-readers can team up with an older child. If you have non-readers or early readers, the leader may need to read words during silent games. These games can also be sent home to play with their families.
You may want to schedule some weekdays in which to help the children work on their Articles of Faith. My daughter meets with her students during Enrichment Night, when the mothers are already at the church. She plays their learning games with them, and they get to recite what they’ve learned to interested adults in the halls. This also allows her to spend some fun time with the few children who come to the activity.
1. Type the article of faith you are working on. Print it in a large font and glue each word to a square of construction paper. (For younger children or new learners, use phrases instead of individual words.) Each piece should be the same size and color. These pieces will be used in each game. Have one set for each person, but mix them together. Play this like Go Fish. Each child starts with seven cards. In turn, the children ask for a word they need to complete their Article of Faith. If the person they ask doesn’t have the word, he says “Go fish,” and the child draws from the pile. At the beginning, give the children a copy of the completed article, but later, expect them to do it from memory.
2. Using the same word squares made above, attach each square to a paperclip attached to a string and hang from ceiling or some other surface. Children may claim a word throughout the class when you feel they’ve earned one, or when they answer a question correctly. Use whatever method you like to get the words to the children. Use these to play the Silent Game. Class members sit in a circle with their words in front of them. No one is allowed to speak except for the leader. Whoever has the first word places it on the floor. Each person must pay attention to know when he needs to put down a word. If words are repeated, the first person to put it down gets to do so.
3. Each child takes turns choosing the next phrase or word. The other children pat their knees softly if the answer if correct, and pat their heads if the answer is wrong. No one speaks.
4. Hide the cut-out words around a room and let children search for them. As they find them, they lay them out on a table in order. The class works together to create the Article of Faith.
5. If you have active children, tape the words to a board or set them on a table. Have children run across the room, grab a word and run back to place it on the surface where you are creating the Article of Faith. If the person does not choose the correct word, he hands it to the next person in line, who runs it back to the other side of the room before gathering his own word. This may be best saved for a day when you are meeting during the week.
The Articles of Faith Can Be Fun
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