Placing thoughtful insights right in sight is a practical way to teach children! Below are some ideas that have emerged out of the desire to teach growing kids without preaching too often.
Kitchen Table
As many of my blog followers know, I love to use the kitchen table as a place for teaching. In 2014, I introduced the idea of intentionally placing information I want my kids to see right before their eyes at breakfast. (See post: Cereal Box Syndrome)
Later I posted on how to create a cereal box that could be used as a changeable “billboard”. (See post: There’s No Place Like the Kitchen Table)
It has been five years since the idea was given to me by inspiration and we still use it! It has blessed me as a mom and I feel like it has blessed my family. The other day during a conversation, my 11 year old said something to the effect of, “I can’t remember where I read it but there is a story about….” My ears perked up as I listened to her recite a story I had placed on our cereal billboard box!
By preparing the information to post on our box, I grow. I also feel so peaceful when I see my kids read the information from the boxes. They are reading what I hope they will know by the time they leave my home. I want them to 1) have faith in God, 2) live as that faith prompts them, 3) gain a knowledge of the world and cultures, and 4) be good citizens!
Time Saving Ideas
I know some people don’t have the time to create an actual “billboard box”. So they could simply hook some plastic page covers together with rings to create essentially the same idea.
If that is still too much work for your busy schedule try folding a piece of cardstock in half to create a one line message for your family. Maybe it could be a favorite quote.
Bathroom Mirror
And lastly you could get your insights into sight by taping them to the bathroom mirrors. We do this to memorize scripture or poems!
I thought it would be helpful to show some ideas of what we put on our billboard box. These are free printable ideas:
Free Printables!
I know these printables are not professional. They are thoughts a regular mom wanted her kids to read. My purpose was to get you thinking about what you wish your kids would read! What insights do you want in sight?
Don’t Forget the Fun!
Don’t forget to add “fun” things for your kids to read. We like to add jokes, puns, interesting facts, and word search puzzles to our billboard box. You can even generate your own word search puzzles online. It is fun to search for the names of the people sitting at the table with you!
Sources
The source for Agency and Accountability, Good Language, and Physical and Emotional Health is a booklet put out by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called For the Strength of Youth.
Featured Image by Gisela Merkuur from Pixabay
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