What is the best way to teach a four year old the Our Father and Hail Mary?

Question

My son is turning four this October and my husband is deploying for
Iraq for the second time this December. We are moving back to
California during the deployment where my son will finish out his
preschool year at a catholic preschool. One of the requirements for
"graduation" is that they learn the Our Father and Hail Mary.
Although my husband and I are both Catholic I have not thought about
teaching him these prayers so young. Does anyone know of a good way
to help me start teaching him? I don't want him to start school and
be behind the other students.

Answer 1

My little girl knew these before starting Junior Kindergarten. My little boy took longer to learn them. What worked best for us with the Hail Mary was buying a very simple picture book which we read a few times a day to them. It had one sentence on each page with an appropriate picture. They learned it pretty well that way. The Our Father we said with them every night since before they could talk so that was pretty easy. If you need to teach them soon just say the Our Father many times a day, play the song and try the simple little book.
He will likely learn it not problem. My kids also go to Catholic school but must only learn the Our Father for Grade 1 and the Hail Mary for grade 2.

God bless and good luck to you all.

Answer 2

repitition, repitition,repitition! at meal times, night times(bed time) in the car, you say a part then he says the next part, say it together, let him listen to you, make it fun if he gets it right, give him an ice cream or a candy. you can also go to a religious shop and see if they have the prayers on tape set to music or something , also explain to him what each part of the prayer means so he understands the story behind the prayer if all else fails maybe flash cards will work...pre school is kinda young to know those though! Good luck!

Answer 3

Repetition. We are not Catholic, so we call it the Lord's Prayer. My 4-year-old daughters know the Lord's Prayer. It began when they had heard it a few times in Sunday School, so they asked me to say it. We say it together every night before they go to sleep. They enjoy knowing it. Sometimes it prompts questions about what some of the big words mean (Mommy, what is temptation?). I know they don't really understand it.

Answer 4

When I was younger the way my parents taught me my "Our Father" and " Hail Mary" were just by sitting by my bed with me and my brother everynight and saying it with me. It was a family time that we could reflect on the day. Sometimes we would say it more than once. Just spend some time going over it with your child and repeating it will really help teach them. Kids learn really fast!

Answer 5

Say them 4-5 times daily, all the way through from start to finish.

Make a song of them, if possible. There is one for the Our Father (several versions).

You just say them at breakfast, as he eats; in the car, on the way places; during grace at each meal; before bed; sing it around the house.

Don't expect him to say it! He'll just pick it up from you, without effort.

Answer 6

Repitition. Pray them with him every night, and he'll get the hang of it eventually. That's how I learned.

Answer 7

My wife is teaches 3-year-old religious education. She says, "Pray it with them every night before they go to bed." Don't teach it to them, but pray it with them. You can have them repeat each line after you.

Cheers,
Bruce

Answer 8

The earlier the brain-washing begins, the deeper it will go. Starting him young, huh?

Answer 9

Say the prayers at meal time, bed time... repeat and repeat...

Answer 10

repetition or through a song.