2 Hands-On Approaches To Teach About Opening Our Hearts

I really enjoyed the talk "Opening Our Hearts" by Elder Lund and thought it would be valuable to discuss it as a family this month while we talked about Attitude.  There have been times I've been in such a bad mood I haven't even wanted to turn on an upbeat song or do something I enjoyed to try to change it.  I don't know why exactly, but I just didn't.  In these situation, the first thing I had to do before even changing my feelings was open up the fences around my heart so I could feel a change.  That's what this speech is about.  Here is a little excerpt from it.

To teach the kids about this idea we first got out some play-dough hearts they had made another day (or you could just use a heart-shaped cookie cutter or piece of paper,) put them on the floor and built a wall around them with blocks and lego.  By the way, after watching all the extras MANY times on the Batman Lego DVD, I now know the plural for Lego is in fact, Lego.

Sophia opted to have a little squirrel guard her heart too.  This was a great activity because everyone, no matter the age, could participate and just make a different kind of wall based on their skill set.  Don't be afraid to makes a mess!  Blocks clean up quickly- another good family activity! ;) It was also fun to hear them talk about how we feel emotions in our hearts.  Kids grasp the abstract really well, and then not so well sometimes, but it's adorable either way!

Then we reenacted the Holy Ghost- or Lollipop Ghost- trying to get in and comfort the heart.  We explained that the Holy Ghost will only come in if invited.  

He never forces himself into places where he isn't wanted or let in.

Finally, we discussed how how are gates around the heart could look if we wanted visitors.  The kids started tearing down the blocks and making little openings.  Then they showed how the Holy Ghost could now come in and comfort the heart (and squirrel.)

We explained that a little bit of a fence around your heart is good because we don't want to let everything inside, that's part of taking care of your heart and spirit.

This activity turned out well because combined building with toys, role-playing, and discussing something of a spiritual nature at the same time.  Success!  Isn't that the best feeling as a parent?

A few days later I brought up the lesson we had about hearts and fences and asked if they remembered it.  Of course they did!  I explained that we were going to do something similar on paper, drawing and using stamps and stickers.

On the first paper they were supposed to draw a heart that was guarded by all sorts of spooky things.  This was a heart that did not want to let anyone close to them.

Using stickers and stamps I picked up from Dollar Tree they got to work surrounding their heart drawing with a fence of scary cats, tombstones, ghosts and goblins.  I love watching their little hands work on projects.  That's one of my favorite parts of being a mom.  Is that silly? :)

This was Sophia's SCARY face to go with her scared heart and spooky fence.  "BEWARE!"

Then we worked on a heart that felt happy because it was open and had visitors and friends.
We colored together.

On their own they came up with a fence design made of flowers.  I loved this idea!  They said to get in all you had to do was pick a flower. <3 What a sweet idea!

This time instead of writing Beware on their pages they drew Welcome mats.

These activities were simple and to the point.  Now when the kids (or mom) is throwing a tantrum we have a point of reference to start discussing things.  We ask the questions...Are our hearts open?  Or have we built fences around them 9 feet tall with barbed wire?  Are we letting in the good feelings that want to visit?  Are we choosing a welcoming attitude?

I know approaching things this way won't always work, but we have been able to use it a few times.  Just this week Michael was having a tough time and I asked him some of these questions and if his attitude was happy like the gloves we had made.  His face broke into that great smile I love and he felt better and started joking.  

May we make time to teach character, eternal truths and show love!  

The Gospel is true and your efforts are priceless! 

Love, Eva