Justice, as it relates to 5 year olds.

Basically "Justice" is "Fairness" so to be able to explain that to a 5 year old child would mean to explain it in the simplest form using examples they can relate to.

Justice means to be fair. Is it fair if someone hits you and does not get into trouble? Is it fair to take someone else's toys without asking? Is it fair to get a time out if you do not listen to your mom or your teachers? What happens if you hurt someone else? What would be fair or just?

I would first have a discussion with the kids asking them about different scenarios that they can relate to.

To make it visual as well, you could print out several images or draw a few scenarios ahead of time (pictures of them maybe, or other children) and ask the kids to come up with 'just' consequences.

"What happens if you take something without asking?" and ask them how what happens helps them decide how to act. "What would be fair? Should the child be sent to his or her room?". "How does being a 'fair' person make you a better person? What virtues make you 'fair'?"

Help them come up with scenarios that have happened to them when justice or fairness came into play.

(ex. An older brother shared his Halloween candy with his baby sister because she had none.

"When I was little sometimes I took cookies when I wasn't allowed to because I didn't finish my dinner. But because I was taught that telling the truth was important, when my mother asked me if I took the cookies, I told her I did. And it was fair that she sent me to my room, because I wasn't allowed to take those cookies.") or something along those lines.

Then maybe you could choose their scenarios, write them on paper, and then have them draw themselves in that scenario.

Preferably have the quote you're trying to memorize written on the paper as well.

In this case it was: "Tread ye the path of justice, for this, verily is the straight path."

Then simply color in and there you go. Activity accomplished and lesson learned!

And an insanely special thank you to Dana who made this lesson plan possible.