A new idea

Tonight while we were getting ready to read scriptures (on our bed) the kids were a little crazy. They love to 'try' and jump on the bed (the younger ones). They were doing all sorts of tricks and summersaults. I knew we had to get them to settle down without yelling. So while we were waiting for Don I decided to play a game with them to see if I could get them all sitting still and ready to listen.

We watch Brain Surge at 4:30 each day. It is just a cute little game show that features young kids. My kids enjoy it and they try to answer the questions. There is one section in the show where the host tells a story. The kids have to listen closely and after the story they have to remember key words that were mentioned. SO I decided to try that. They were all sitting on the bed and I told a story trying to use a lot of descriptive words. As soon as I was done we went around the room and each person could only say ONE word that they remembered in the story. They could not use simple words like the, I, he, she, you, and, it...you get the idea. And as soon as one person repeated a word that had already been said they were out or if they could not think of a word or said a wrong word they were out. I went around the room until only one person was left. The stories were not long but it really helped to calm them down and it got them thinking. We did it with three different short stories.

Then it was time for Scriptures and the kids were sitting quiet. The idea popped into my mind to do the same thing with the Scriptures. So I read a few verses and we did the same thing. WE went around the room and they had to say what word they remembered. I was impressed when Mayah said Lamanites. WOW. She actually heard something. It was fun to hear what word they remembered and it was fun to see them sitting there listening to the story and really trying to listen to what was said. They may not have gotten the full story but they pulled out some really good key words that will hopefully get them thinking.

I LOVE this idea and we will be using this for awhile until it doesn't work anymore. We are coming up with a lot of different ideas for different things until it gets old and doesn't work anymore. Then we have to think of something new. That really helps so they don't get bored. Sometimes we read in different rooms. Sometimes we read at the table when they have their mouths full of food (LOL). Sometimes we pull out the kids verson with pictures. Sometimes we have the kids say an Article of Faith. Sometimes Don will tell a Scripture story. One time we had a Scripture chase and the kids had to see who could get to the scripture first and whoever won got to read it. The older two had TONS of fun with this. We lost the younger ones. We have even pulled out a Gospel Art picture and read the scripture on the back or had the kids guess who/what was in the picture. Whatever we decide to do it is all about reading as a family and making sure it is done EVERYDAY. I love that the kids will remind us each night (even though we have plans to do it). They make sure we don't ever forget. What a blessing to have these words in our home. I am truly grateful for the scriptures and the messages they give to us. How lucky we are.