Every virtue we have Virtues Tree fun with has an Inspiration to go with it. In this version of the Virtues Tree, it will at least be a quote or verse from the Baha’i Writings.

I just love how when I memorize something it’s like taking it with me everywhere I go in the book of my heart and soul. It’s always with me and I can open that internal book and find that beautiful quote whenever I need a little guidance or upliftment.

It’s my map that can help me get back on track when I lose my way.

I’m hoping that my kids are grateful for the seeds of God’s Word that they’re planting in their hearts every time they memorize a new prayer or passage from the Baha’i Writings.

My sweet loves – remember to hold it close and draw on its power in times of stress! It has the power to heal. And guide. And recreate. Wow!

And Oh My Word! Have you noticed how kids have an amazing ability to memorize quickly? And then keep it straight? So humbling how powerful their brains are!

So here’s an idea for memorization that we use a lot in our family and children’s Virtues Class:

Play the Hide and Seek Inspiration Game:

• Preparation: Print out the inspiration you’ve selected in large font on cardstock. Cut it up by with zig-zaggy lines and hide the pieces in one room for your children to find. The zig-zag cuts make it like a puzzle, with each piece fitting in only one place, for simple self-checking. For an easier game, cut fewer pieces and vice versa. To make it cooperative, divide the quote into a number of pieces that is divisible by the number of kids who will play.
• Introduce the game to the kids – that there are hidden words around the room that they need to find to help us find the inspiration to guide us on our path to growing our Pure Hearts or whatever virtue you are focused on. Explain that there are enough pieces for every child to find one or however many pieces. Each child is to only pick up one (or however many), but if they see more than one, they can walk away from it and raise their hand to show that they can serve as a resource to anyone who hasn’t found their piece(s) yet and wishes to have help. It takes a lot of restraint to see a quote piece that you cannot pick up and even more to not point it out or blurt out its location.
• Set them off to Seek! Wow do they love this part. It may be helpful for you to ask the kids questions to spark their awareness of how things are progressing. You may need to ask the ones with their hands raised to patiently wait until the kids who are still seeking choose to request help. The last seeker or two may persist without wanting to ask for help, but often when the kids with their hands raised gently offer their help, they will be taken up on it.
• Once all the pieces are found, have the kids assemble the quote and take turns reading it aloud or help them read it. Fun!

Here’s part of one of the Inspiration selections for Pure Hearts:

• For more ideas to make memorization fun, check out: imemorize.org

What are your favorite ways to help your child memorize something special? What stories do you have about how a memorized Inspiration has helped you or your child as a road map to get back on track in life?