It’s the Month of the Rosary! Are you Ready to Teach the Rosary?
Five Tips to Teach the Rosary
Praying the Rosary is such a cool way for kids to connect with God and grow in their faith, making it a fantastic practice to share at home or in the classroom. But let’s be real—it can be pretty tough, too! Kids have so much energy, and their attention spans can be all over the place, which often leads to distractions and a bit of frustration when trying to get through the long prayers. While the repetitive nature of the Rosary can be calming for some, it might feel a bit overwhelming for little ones who crave action and variety. Finding that sweet spot between honoring this beautiful devotion and keeping it engaging can turn those challenges into a fun and meaningful experience that helps kids fall in love with the Rosary. Here are 5 tips to teach the Rosary.
Before we start thinking about teaching the Rosary…
For a limited time, you can get the bulletins for the rest of this Liturgical Year AND the bulletins for 2025 (Year C) for a discounted price! Get it today and you’ll have everything you need to keep your kids focused at Mass for over a year.
This is also a great time to reach out to your parish and encourage them to buy the bulletins and print them for the whole church each weekend!
This page has detailed descriptions of the bulletins if they want more information.
1. Use the Internet to Teach the Rosary!
- The first time I pray the Rosary with a group of students, I play a video to lead us through it. I’m a fan of these videos, but find a version that doesn’t annoy you and get it started! Since the video is keeping us on track, I can focus on giving instructions and redirecting behavior. I also like this video as an intro to get kids thinking about why we take the time to pray a 20-minute prayer! The comment about his Grandma is fantastic.
2. Start Small
- The first few times you introduce the Rosary, pray only a decade to get the kids used to the flow of the prayers. This shorter version helps them stay focused without feeling overwhelmed by the full length of the Rosary. It also gives you a chance to explain the prayers and mysteries in smaller, more manageable steps. As they get more comfortable, you can gradually add more decades, making the experience less daunting and more enjoyable for everyone. Plus, starting small lets you build up to the full Rosary at a pace that works for the kids’ attention spans and energy levels.
3. Remember the Basics and Teach the History of the Rosary
- Begin by explaining what the Rosary is, including its history, purpose, and how it is prayed. Discuss its components, such as the beads, the Crucifix, and the prayers involved (like the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be). Give students the words of the prayers unless you’re SURE they have them memorized. I just made a PowerPoint with ALL the words, as well as Bible verses for each Hail Mary. You can pray a Scriptural Rosary with a simple click through the slides. There is also an image of the Rosary on each slide with an arrow on the correct bead so kids can follow along without the constant debate about whether we’re at 8 or 9 Hail Marys! So far, I’ve just made the Joyful Mysteries, let me know if you want me to make the other Mysteries!
4. Teach the History of the Rosary
- My students ALWAYS ask where it came from, so I made a reading comprehension activity covering the history of the Rosary. There are 3 different reading levels in the passages–upper elementary, middle school, and high school along with multiple choice questions, discussion questions, and a poster to show their understanding.
- If you have more time for your Rosary lesson, check out this Rosary SKIT! It’s a Reader’s Theater style play that covers all the things. There are 8 scenes including the history of the prayer, apparitions and miracles of the Rosary, and descriptions of all 4 sets of Mysteries.
- Scenes in the Rosary Skit
- Early Prayer Traditions
- The Vision of Saint Dominic
- The Spread of the Rosary
- Apparition at Fatima
- Apparition at Lourdes
- Battle of Lepanto
- Apparition at Nagasaki
- Pope John Paul II & The Luminous Mysteries
5. Give the busy kids something to do
- I’m a huge fan of coloring during long activities. If I ask students to sit in their seats for 20 minutes, I want them to have something to keep their hands busy. Some kids love to hold the Rosary, but many will get bored with that or will get creative with Rosary lassos. I don’t want to spend my prayer time correcting that behavior. Instead, I’ll give them coloring pages like this one for Our Lady of the Rosary. I also created these Rosary booklets with prayers, bible verses, and mysteries so kids can color the beads, doodle while we pray, and deepen their understanding of the mysteries. There are booklets for Luminous Mysteries, Glorious Mysteries, Joyful Mysteries, and Sorrowful Mysteries.
- You could also have the kids make their own Rosaries. Crafting while praying will keep their hands busy so their minds can focus on God. Here’s a link to a fun kit that has everything you need.
What tips do you have to teach the Rosary?
October Catholic Kids Bulletin
Remember, for a limited time, you can get the bulletins for the rest of this Liturgical Year AND the bulletins for 2025 (Year C) for a discounted price! Get it today and you’ll have everything you need to keep your kids focused at Mass for over a year.
Enjoy our FREE Printable Catholic Kids Bulletin worksheets, aligning with weekly Mass readings. Immerse your children in the world of coloring pages. They correspond to the Gospel, monthly Mass activities, Psalm handwriting, and entertaining word searches. Navigate through the liturgy order provided in each bulletin to enhance your kids’ Mass experience. You can help them foster a deeper connection to worship. Uncover the intricacies of the Mass structure and delve into Catholic History with engaging coloring pages showcasing saints. Elevate your children’s Catholic education by incorporating our interactive and educational resources into their learning journey.
Have you used Catholic Kids Bulletins before? If you have questions, check here…
October Catholic Kids Bulletin
Octubre Boletín para Niños Católicos
Mass Bulletins include…
- Ordinary Time
- Saint Michael the Archangel, Saint Raphael the Archangel, Saint Gabriel the Archangel
- Saint Therese the Little Flower
- Ordinary Time
- Saint Francis of Assisi
- Saint Jude
These FREE Catholic Mass Bulletin Printables are offered each month in order to help young Catholics learn at Mass. For example, you are welcome to print and share with others. If you can afford it, click Support CKB on the left. You can donate to help pay for the time and effort put into these pages. Thanks!
