How To Use Parables To Teach Children Moral Lessons

Parables are short stories with meaningful lessons that help us understand values, such as kindness, honesty, and compassion. They use simple characters and relatable situations to deliver messages that resonate across ages and cultures. Learn how to use parables to teach children moral lessons in an easy-to-understand and memorable way.

Read and Discuss Parables Together

One of the simplest ways to teach children through parables is to read them together and have a meaningful discussion afterward.  You can find parables, such as “The Boy Who Cried Wolf,” in children’s storybooks at your local library or bookshop or explore educational websites and storytelling apps.

Religious texts, such as the Bible, Quran, or Buddhist Jataka tales, also include many parables with moral lessons. For example, one of the most popular biblical parables that Christians can learn from is the tale of the Good Samaritan, which teaches that we should treat all people with dignity.

Here are some open-ended questions you can ask your child as you read together:

• What do you think the main character learned in this story?
• How would you feel if you were in the same situation as the character?
• Can you think of a time when you faced a similar problem or decision?
• What lesson do you think this story is trying to teach us?
• How can we use the message of this story in our everyday lives?
• Who in the story do you admire the most, and why?

Apply Parables in Everyday Life

To truly bring parable lessons to life, encourage your child to apply the morals in their daily routines. For instance, after reading a story about kindness, you can suggest they perform small acts of compassion, such as sharing with a sibling or helping a friend in need. If a parable focuses on honesty, talk with them about times when being truthful may be hard but necessary, like admitting to a mistake.

Parents can use positive reinforcement to encourage desirable habits. Praise your child when they act in ways that align with the parable’s lesson, such as showing kindness or being honest, to reinforce the behavior. For instance, you could say, “I’m so proud of how you helped your friend today—it was very thoughtful!”

Create Art Based on Parables

Another way to reinforce a morality lesson is to have your child create art based on the parable. After hearing a story like “The Lion and the Mouse,” encourage your child to draw a picture of the characters or a key scene. Another fun idea is to have your child create their own short stories where values of trustworthiness or patience come into play.

As a bonus, doing arts and crafts is one of the many fun ways to keep kids entertained without screens. Through art, they process the story in their own way, which helps solidify their understanding of the parable’s lesson. The creative process will also make the story more memorable and give your child a sense of accomplishment.

Parables are a simple yet powerful way to teach kids about values, such as kindness, honesty, and compassion. Through reading, applying lessons in real life, and getting creative with art, children can internalize these morals in a hands-on and memorable way. With your guidance, they’ll learn the importance of making good choices.