Parents use of Bible

Students with special needs can learn to love and read the Bible in many ways. These tips can get you started.

WAYS YOU CAN HELP YOUR CHILD LOVE THE BIBLE AND LEARN FROM IT —————

  • Let them see you read the Bible for your own enjoyment. The way you use it every day teaches them more than you can believe.
  • Read to them selections from the Bible that they can understand.
  • When you read Bible stories from other books, always say, “This is a story from the Bible.” Persons understand Bible stories on different levels; it’s all right to “be” at any level.
  • Learn to line out verses. This method lets you point to a sentence, you say the sentence, then they say the sentence. They are actually reading the Bible. Use short verses or even one sentence.
  • Use listening participation. Have your child listen for a word and clap or stomp or hit the table (whatever your child is able to do) each time the word is heard.
  • Handle the Bible. Smell it. Feel its textures. Find a certain page. Underline the word Jesus on a certain page and have a treasure hunt for that page. This allows you to depart your sense of fun and pleasure in using the treasure book that is the BIble.
  • Develop a family practice of reading a Bible verse at mealtime. Well-chosen verses often open up conversation and daily-life applications of the verse you have read. Repeat one reading for several days.
  • Buy your child a Bible to hold and/or read. Select several appropriate options, and let your child feel them, smell them, open them and then decide which one. Make ceremonial-type ownership by writing your child’s name.
  • Read with your child who can read by helping with hard words and with encouragement.

copyright 2008 by Naomi Mitchum