How to Teach Your Children About Mary

Role of a Mother

As mothers, we seek to love, support, and guide our children. We want what’s best for them in all ways but especially for their souls. We seek to teach them about God’s love for them so that they grow with the knowledge that they are always loved and have the Lord to turn to in times of need. Many Christian mothers teach their children about Jesus for both a lesson in hope and an example of holy living. It’s also important to teach them about Mary, His Mother.

[As a note, realize that these things can be taught by any parent, mother, father, grandparent, relative, or foster parent. Having a loving and trusted adult teaching children about a loving Mother is all it takes.]

Why is Mary Important?

If we’re to know Jesus and understand that He became human to be with us, we must also understand Mary, His Mother. Jesus gave Mary to all of us as He hung on the Cross, so she is the mother to all. She’s our mother for life, even when we don’t have our earthly mother, or our children don’t have us. Human life on earth is temporary, but Mary is in heaven for eternity as the Queen, so she will never leave us. It can be challenging to teach about Mary to children, but here’s some ideas to help promote this motherly devotion.

How to Teach Your Children About Mary

Each of these can be adjusted to a child’s understanding and maturity and should be encouraged by all family members. If you’re the only one doing this, it will still have an impact though, so don’t be discouraged.

• Infancy – Whisper to your little one, “I love you, Jesus loves you, Mama Mary loves you.” They don’t need to understand. Hearing their mother’s voice, the voice of the one who takes care of them, say these things, will become familiar.
• Toddlers – Toddlers are able to recognize faces of characters and will be able to pick out Jesus better than one might think. Start to familiarize your toddler with Mary’s image too. “Who’s that? That’s Mama Mary.” Continue with the phrase “Mama” to teach them she’s their Mother too.
• Preschool – At Christmas time, say, “Mama Mary is protecting Baby Jesus in her belly like I protected you.” This promotes life, teaches about babies at an appropriate level, and teaches motherhood. Start letting your child listen to you pray the Hail Mary (if you haven’t yet.) If able, help your child repeat it.
• Elementary Age – Teach your child that you care and will listen to their concerns no matter how small they may be. Show empathy. Tell them, “Mary always listens to her children. You’re my child, but you’re her child too if you pray to her. She wants you to love and follow her Son.” Continue teaching about Jesus and Mary. Teach the Hail Mary. Help your child recite it. Let them listen to you pray the Rosary.
• Middle School – These years are challenging, but Mary is a patient Mother. Teach your child this, say it to them, tell them you’re working on it for yourself. It’s okay to admit personal struggle. Admit when you're praying for guidance and pray with your child as often as possible. Tell your child, “She will hear all your troubles when you’re afraid to talk to someone else about them. Pray to Mary quietly. Hear her call you to her Son.” This teaches your child that it’s okay to talk to Mary if he/she is afraid to talk to you first. Encourage your child to pray the Rosary during anxious times, worries, fears, difficulty sleeping, anger, and all big emotions.
• High School – Teach your teen to pray the Rosary for others daily, for your troubles, your tests, your worries, your goals, and pray for guidance as you grow into adulthood. Help your teen to start devotions and service for others with Mary praying for you. Encourage prayer for others especially as this act actually loosens one’s personal anxiety and builds greater faith.

Your Example Teaches Best

Nothing teaches like example. Let your children see you praying; let them “catch” you saying a Rosary. Ask them if they want you to pray for anything or anyone in particular. Let them see you as a prayer warrior. Talk to them about Mary as they grow. Look up stories together. Help them learn how to discern what’s true according to the Church and what’s speculation. Most of all, teach them of our Holy Mother’s love for them, all of us, as her children, and that her true desire is for us to follow her Son, Jesus.