When I was volunteering at Vacation Bible School over the Summer, my station met in the church, so we taught each group that came through how to genuflect and make the sign of the cross before entering. I was SHOCKED at how many kids (up through 5th grade!) could not do these basic things correctly! We had to re-cap with each group every day that week before entering. It seriously blew my mind!
Now, I wouldn't expect that the children of a Catholic Icing reader couldn't make the sign of the cross correctly ;-)... but maybe some of you are teaching CCD this year or have a preschooler and would like to start with the basics.
1. Use a mirror! They had this mirror in Lydia's preschool class last year. Tape pictures of the sign of the cross around the edge and let the kids see themselves as they practice.
2. Use a sticker! Kids often get mixed up with which hand to use. That is easily corrected! Just put a cross sticker on your child's right hand. Tell her that this is her right hand- the hand we use to make the sign of the cross.
3. Do it backwards. I found that when standing in front of a group of kids, teaching them to genuflect and make the sign of the cross, it really helped to do it backwards with my left hand. This way I was a mirror image of them. (This is tip I gleaned from doing exercise videos. It's so much easier that they do it backwards for you!) Alternately, you can stand in front of the group and face the same way as them to help.
4. Make a craft! You knew I was going to suggest a craft, right? I'm actually planning on making this with my kids this afternoon- a
sign of the cross necklace! Isn't this great?!
Do you have more tips or know of fun activities to teach kids the sign of the cross? As always, feel free to share your links in the comments! :-)
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