One of the main goals of the Kids' Quest Catechism Club program is to aid children in the memorization of First Catechism. Not all children memorize quickly and enjoy the task. Educational studies have proven that this has more to do with how a person processes information than a person's intelligence. In other words, some of your brightest students may struggle with memory work. What to do? Find activities that will accommodate and challenge every learning style.
• Preschool and Younger Elementary
Have younger students use puppets and have their own question and answer time. Put the puppets in their hands. Ask the puppets questions and let the children answer for them.
Give older children a memory work partner and have them coach each other. Think of ways to learn together. Let them write the questions-and-answers on note cards or on the white board before class.
• Younger and Middle Elementary
For younger non-readers, use the same picture each week to remind them of the answers. For example, use a big crown for the answer "God" (Q1), a nature picture for "God made all things" (Q2), a heart and a Bible for "By loving him and doing what he commands" (Q4).
Have school-age children help design pictures that will help them remember some of the longer answers. Creating a system of symbols will help visual learners to memorize.
• Toddler — Middle Elementary
The music that goes with this program will be a great aid for auditory learners. You can also try using voice inflection that is consistent with the meaning of the words. For example: Christ obeyed the WHOOOLE (long and drawn out) law for HIS (excited) people, and then suffered the punishment (painful and sad) due for their sins.
Remember that repetition helps with every learning style, so do several activities each week that will get the words out there to do ... to see ... and to hear.
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• Catechizing Kids—Get on Board or You'll Get Left Behind! by Sue Jakes. Question! What comes in a small booklet, sets forth a summary of Bible doctrine, and is written in question-answer format? Buzz-zzz. That's correct. A catechism. Read more . . .
• Practical tips for teaching catechism:
1 There is no substitute for planning and preparation.
2 Repetition is key.
3 Kids are enthusiastic about memory work when a leader is . . . Read more . . .
BOOKS
• First Catechism - Based on the original Catechism for Young Children, this is an effective tool for teaching the truths of the Reformed faith in simple, straightforwards questions and answers. Order Today!
• Family Devotion Guide - A family devotion guide based on the Shorter Catechism of the Westminster Confession of Faith. This guide is divided into three volumes. Order Today!
• Big Truths for Little Kids - Your children will follow Caleb and Cassie on many adventures while learning the catechism! Order Today!
• Memory Work Notebook - This spiral-bound memory program (for ages 3 through high school) is graded for use at home, school and church. Order Today!
