I have an unpleasant memory from Sunday School many, many years ago. I was supposed to memorize the Bible verse of the week, but I hadn’t. My older sister had. Feeling like a failure, I practiced the verse over and over again in the car on the way. When the teacher handed the little stickers and prizes out to the other kids as they recited it, I blanked. I didn’t get a sticker. What strikes me about the story is that I remember the sticker, but not the verse that I was supposed to know.

Maybe this is why I like the Charlotte Mason method so much. External motivations, like stickers, prizes, and even praise, left me feeling inadequate so many times as a child. I want my children to fill their hearts with the inspiring words of scripture, but I don’t want to approach this in a stressful way. They should enjoy the process and the prize is the fact that these priceless words are in their hearts.

I tend to disagree with Charlotte Mason’s advice regarding spirituality in the early years. We read Bible storybooks instead of the real Bible (you can read about that here) and I encourage scripture memorization before the age of six, which she did not. But, one of her approaches to scripture memorization seems perfect for the early years.

Charlotte Mason’s Gentle Approach

I recently read what Charlotte Mason had to say about memorizing worthy words, recitation, in Home Education. She said that the words should be read to the child as they play or prepare for the day. Just by gently rereading it a half-dozen times or so, the child will soon remember it. No “repeat after me’s” or sticker chart motivators.

In the following passage, Charlotte Mason explained this method which a woman presented to her as being effective for her niece:

She read a poem through to E.; then the next day, while the little girl was making a doll’s frock, perhaps, she read it again; once again the next day, while E.’s hair was being brushed. She got in about six or more readings, according to the length of the poem, at odd and unexpected times, and in the end E. could say the poem which she had not learned. I have tried the plan often since, and found it effectual. The child must not try to recollect or to say the verse over to himself, but, as far as may be, present an open mind to receive an impression of interest.” Home Education, page 225

Miss H memorized her first Bible verse at the age of three. We started with Psalm 118:24: This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it! When I greeted her at her bed in the morning, I said the verse. When we had a happy moment playing together, I repeated it. Soon she started saying it with me. Then, I got her started with, “This is…” and she completed the verse herself, with a joyful smile on her face.

We moved onto another verse, and she seemed to understand right away that the end-goal was to memorize it, even though I hadn’t stressed that fact. It’s Ephesians 4:32: Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. We discussed the word “compassionate,” and when she heard that same word on the radio station that we listen to, she was so excited!

For awhile, she repeated these verses everywhere she went. I told her how special it is to put these words in her heart and she told me, “I didn’t put them there. Jesus did.”

Clear Recitations

Although the purpose of this is to make recitation enjoyable, it’s also important to encourage clear pronunciation and intonation. These things help your child in everyday communications. On the same note, I didn’t worry about Miss H memorizing the chapter names and verse numbers in Bible recitations until she learned how to count well!

Choosing Worthy Words

Bible verses are worthy words to remember during the early years, but as they begin formal lessons, they can memorize shorts poems, sayings, or nursery rhymes. Doing this helps build vocabulary, communication skills, and, if the right text is chosen, introduces them to inspirational ideas. You don’t have to avoid words that your child doesn’t know. As long as there aren’t more than a few unfamiliar words, it’s a great learning opportunity. You can start with short verses or phrases, but children are capable of pretty long recitations!

Reviewing

Once the verse, poem, or other text has been memorized, reviewing it every once in awhile helps them keep it in their memory. Finding moments where the text is applicable is a great way to incorporate it.

Bible Memory Verse Suggestions

These verses are short but meaningful for the early years.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Psalm 118:24

A friend loves at all times… Proverbs 17:17 (part a)

Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

Give thanks to Lord, for he is good. His steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 136:1

If you’ve ever caught the comments on a Facebook post in the wake of a tragic accident, or you’ve seen an irate patron complaining about their meal at the restaurant, then you know this is true: mistakes are unacceptable these days. Commenters say what a person should/shouldn’t have done, and customers complain over the little imperfections that come their way.

We’re a nation that expects perfection.

But there’s a big problem with this. Expecting perfection of the people around us gives a message to our children that they need to be perfect. This kind of approach to life can stunt them and

I made a big mistake last week. And then I made it again. Two times I did something that, if the outcome had been any different, I would have been ridiculed. Judged. All fingers pointing my way.

I opened the car door for Miss H, like I usually do, then headed around to Baby E’s side of the car. After I buckled him in, I saw that Miss H’s door was closed, and hopped in the driver’s seat. I started the engine, buckled up, and backed out of the driveway.

“Mommmmmm!” Miss H screamed. I had forgotten to buckle her in. Me- carseat safety advocate.

This happened not once, but twice last week.

I’ve developed habits to help me get through the many demands that come with being a mom. I start the long process of getting in the car by putting Baby E in first, going to Miss H’s side, buckling her in, and then closing the door. Closing the door- something H recently learned to do from inside the car. When she closed the door, my brain thought she was all buckled in. I went along with my habits, but the circumstances changed.

I don’t say this to justify my mistake, but because it helped me understand the root of some mistakes that I had previously judged.

All of the terrible stories in the news lately are heartbreaking. People rush to blame the parents- I think we do this to justify to ourselves that nothing like that would ever happen to us, or to try to grasp some kind of control when we don’t have any. Sometimes a true mistake has been made, but sometimes people are just following through with habits. Either way, it seems like we’ve forgotten the importance of showing grace to imperfect people.

If we continue to judge each other instead of support each other, our children will grow up isolated and afraid to take risks. Mistakes are necessary to learn and grow- for everyone, not just for kids!

A whole generation of children is growing up seeing their parents jump on the blame bandwagon. “Did you hear…? I can’t believe…” When I think about it, I have done this so many times without the intention of ridiculing or ostracizing anyone, but that’s exactly what’s happening. Our kids see us blaming each other and tearing each other apart for mistakes that we’ve made- and I don’t want that to be something my children think is acceptable.

I try not to react when Miss H makes a mistake. If she spills her milk or accidentally gets paint on the wall, I take a deep breath and ask her to clean it up.

Blaming and ridiculing over spilled milk — I try not to react when my daughter makes a mistake.

If she wants to help with something that I’m not sure she can do successfully, I let her help anyways. I don’t want her to get the idea that she just shouldn’t try. Children who are afraid to make mistakes grow into adults who don’t take risks. Relationships, careers, and even Christianity all require risks.

As for my big mistake recently- I haven’t done it again, I thank the Lord that it didn’t have a terrible ending. I now go to her side of the car whether or not the door is shut. I learned from my mistake, and since then I’ve made many more that I’ve learned from. And those mistakes? I’ve tried to point them out to my daughter so that she knows it’s okay to mess up, too.

This post is linked up with :

Scripture Memorization, Charlotte Mason Style

Charlotte Mason’s Gentle Approach

Clear Recitations

Choosing Worthy Words

Reviewing

Bible Memory Verse Suggestions

Like this:

Kids Make Mistakes- And That’s A Good Thing

We’re a nation that expects perfection.

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Small Beginnings Charlotte Mason Early Years Planner

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