teaching prayers to kids

[kamikat]

I found a bunch of prayers at http://www.gocanada.org/Youth/prayers.html and want to start saying some of them with my kids. I've noticed that many of them are quite long, like the prayers over meals. Is it ok to start them off with shortened versions? While my nearly 7 year old knows the Lord's prayer, I think it will be awhile before the 3 year old will remember it. Generally, we've been saying the Lord's prayer first thing in the morning, and quick prayer over meals and a quick prayer before bed. I was thinking I'd just exchange the Orthodox prayers for the Catholic prayer that we now do. Is this ok?

kamikat

[Akathist]

I think so.

I know in some families the kids say the parts they know and the parents say the rest.

There is one family in my parish who told me that they say the Small Compline with their kids every night. The difference is that they say the Opening Prayers every night and then the rest of the prayers they say for as long as they have the kids attention.

The next night they say the opening prayers and pick up where they left off the night before and say some more, etc.

The kids learn the opening prayers over time just because they keep hearing them over and over and they all say the prayers they know in union. The little ones kind of work to keep up with learning the opening prayers. As the older kids start to read better they take turns reading the middle prayers.

[eoe]

talk to your priest.


Having said the official answer to all questions.....

Absolutely. The important thing in prayer is that you stand in the heart before God. He knows what you need before you ask it. Sincerity and huminilty is more important than the words.

Maybe you could start with:

Trisagion:
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal - have mercy on us(x3)
Glory be....
Now and ever.....

Or the Jesus prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Have mercy on me. (x infinity)

or the Lords prayer

and go from there.

Anything that you can teach them now will be a great weapon for them.

Good for you that you are doing this.:thumbsup:

[Oblio]

Aside from meal prayers, we do the opening/closing of the evening prayers and 2 of the prayers in the body. This seems to work for a 22 month old. During the prayers we try to cross and bow at the proper times. After prayers we venerate the icons, Anna calls them out in order. Finally we blow out the candle we use to read by.

[choirfiend]

We always said the Lord's prayer at dinner, so we heard it an extra time a day. That's good to do too.