Here are 17 Montessori-inspired activities to help young children learn the principles in Ether 6-11 from the Book of Mormon:
Activity 1: Traveling in Faith – Paper Boat Craft
Scripture Inspiration: Ether 6:4
- Materials:
- Paper or cardstock
- Markers, crayons, or stickers
- A shallow container of water
- Directions:
- Read Ether 6:4, discussing how the Jaredites traveled across the ocean in barges.
- Help the children fold paper boats and decorate them with markers or stickers.
- Float the boats in a shallow container of water and talk about how the Jaredites trusted God during their journey.
Activity 2: The Lord’s Guidance – Compass Craft
Scripture Inspiration: Ether 6:5
- Materials:
- Paper plates
- Markers or crayons
- Paper fasteners
- Directions:
- Read Ether 6:5, discussing how the Lord guided the Jaredites.
- Help the children create a simple compass by drawing a compass face on a paper plate and attaching a movable arrow with a paper fastener.
- Discuss how the Lord guides us in our lives, just as He guided the Jaredites.
Activity 3: Gratitude and Prayer – Gratitude Journal
Scripture Inspiration: Ether 6:9
- Materials:
- Small notebooks
- Pens or crayons
- Directions:
- Read Ether 6:9, focusing on how the Jaredites sang praises and gave thanks to the Lord.
- Give each child a small notebook to create a gratitude journal.
- Encourage them to write or draw things they are grateful for.
- Discuss how expressing gratitude helps us recognize God’s blessings.
Activity 4: Family Unity – Family Tree Craft
Scripture Inspiration: Ether 6:18
- Materials:
- Large paper or poster board
- Markers, crayons
- Pictures of family members (optional)
- Directions:
- Read Ether 6:18, discussing how the Jaredites lived in families.
- Help the children create a family tree using pictures or drawings of family members.
- Discuss the importance of families and how we can show love and support to each other.
Activity 5: Building Strong Foundations – Block Tower
Scripture Inspiration: Ether 6:12
- Materials:
- Building blocks or Lego bricks
- Directions:
- Read Ether 6:12, discussing how the Jaredites built strong communities.
- Use blocks to build a strong foundation for a tower or structure.
- Talk about how building our lives on the teachings of Christ helps us stay strong.
Activity 6: The Lord’s Protection – Shield Craft
Scripture Inspiration: Ether 6:13
- Materials:
- Cardboard or thick paper
- Markers, paint, or stickers
- Scissors
- Directions:
- Read Ether 6:13, discussing how the Lord protected the Jaredites.
- Help the children cut out a shield shape from cardboard.
- Let them decorate their shields with symbols of faith and protection.
- Discuss how the Lord protects and watches over us.
Activity 7: Learning from History – Storytelling
Scripture Inspiration: Ether 7:1
- Materials:
- None (or a simple timeline on paper)
- Directions:
- Read Ether 7:1, discussing the importance of remembering history.
- Share stories from your family or from scripture that teach important lessons.
- Create a simple timeline to help children visualize the sequence of events.
- Discuss how learning from history helps us make better choices.
Activity 8: Faith in God – Planting Seeds
Scripture Inspiration: Ether 7:23
- Materials:
- Small pots or cups
- Soil
- Seeds (flowers or herbs)
- Water
- Directions:
- Read Ether 7:23, discussing how faith in God brings blessings.
- Provide each child with a pot, soil, and seeds. Let them plant the seeds, water them, and place them in a sunny spot.
- Talk about how faith, like seeds, needs to be nurtured to grow and bring forth blessings.
Activity 9: The Power of Prayer – Prayer Rocks
Scripture Inspiration: Ether 8:6
- Materials:
- Smooth stones
- Paint or markers
- Directions:
- Read Ether 8:6, discussing how prayer is a powerful tool in seeking guidance from God.
- Let the children paint or decorate smooth stones to represent prayer rocks.
- Place the rocks by their beds to remind them to pray each day.
Activity 10: The Consequences of Choices – Cause and Effect Game
Scripture Inspiration: Ether 8:15
- Materials:
- Cards with different actions and their consequences written on them
- Directions:
- Read Ether 8:15, discussing the consequences of bad choices made by the Jaredites.
- Create a game using cards that depict different actions and their consequences (e.g., “Sharing with a friend” – “Makes everyone happy”).
- Let the children match the actions with their consequences, discussing the outcomes of both good and bad choices.
Activity 11: Unity and Strength – Rope Pull Game
Scripture Inspiration: Ether 9:23
- Materials:
- A long rope or strong fabric strip
- Directions:
- Read Ether 9:23, discussing the strength that comes from unity.
- Play a rope pull game where the children must work together to pull an object or each other.
- Discuss how working together makes us stronger, just as unity strengthens families and communities.
Activity 12: Gratitude for Blessings – Gratitude Tree
Scripture Inspiration: Ether 9:35
- Materials:
- Large paper or cardboard
- Construction paper leaves
- Markers and tape
- Directions:
- Read Ether 9:35, focusing on the blessings the Jaredites received after repenting.
- Create a “Gratitude Tree” by drawing a large tree on paper or cardboard.
- Have the children write or draw things they are grateful for on the leaves and tape them to the tree.
- Discuss how showing gratitude helps us recognize God’s blessings.
Activity 13: Obedience – Simon Says Game
Scripture Inspiration: Ether 10:2
- Materials:
- None
- Directions:
- Read Ether 10:2, focusing on the importance of obedience to God’s commandments.
- Play a game of “Simon Says” to teach obedience.
- Explain how following instructions promptly and correctly is important, just as obedience to God brings blessings.
Activity 14: Trust in God – Trust Walk
Scripture Inspiration: Ether 10:5
- Materials:
- Blindfolds
- Safe area for walking
- Directions:
- Read Ether 10:5, discussing the importance of trusting in God’s plan.
- Set up a trust walk where one child is blindfolded and another guides them through a safe area using verbal instructions.
- Switch roles so everyone has a turn being guided and guiding.
- Discuss how trusting in God helps us navigate through life’s challenges.
Activity 15: Learning from Mistakes – Erase the Mistakes
Scripture Inspiration: Ether 11:7
- Materials:
- Whiteboard or paper
- Markers or crayons
- Eraser or cloth
- Directions:
- Read Ether 11:7, discussing how the Jaredites repeatedly fell into wickedness.
- Write or draw examples of mistakes on a whiteboard or paper.
- As you talk about repentance and learning from mistakes, erase each one, showing how repentance clears away our errors.
- Discuss the joy that comes from repentance and being forgiven.
Activity 16: Helping Others – Service Project
Scripture Inspiration: Ether 10:7
- Materials:
- Cleaning supplies
- Simple service project ideas (e.g., making cards, picking up trash)
- Directions:
- Read Ether 10:7, discussing how helping others is a way to show love.
- Choose a simple service project to do together, like cleaning up a room or making cards for neighbors.
- Discuss how serving others is a way to follow Jesus Christ’s example.
Activity 17: The Importance of Scriptures – Scripture Hunt
Scripture Inspiration: Ether 10:28
- Materials:
- Small scripture verses written on paper
- Hidden “treasures” (small toys or treats)
- Directions:
- Read Ether 10:28, discussing the importance of scriptures in guiding us.
- Hide small scripture verses around the room or yard along with small “treasures.”
- Let the children go on a scripture hunt to find the verses and discuss their meanings.
