Jesus Once Was a Little Child

"Jesus Once Was a Little Child" p. 55, is a song sung by children for many years!  The theme this yer is "Come Follow Me," and this is the perfect song to introduce the children to becoming like Jesus and following Him.

First verse:

• make word strips of the following words (or you can write them on the board)
• pure
• mild

Second verse:

• make word strips of the following words (or you can write them on the board)
• played
• games
• vexed
• spoke the truth

Chorus:

• Write "try" on 4 word strips

Sing the first verse and hold up the words as you sing them (or point to them on the board).  You could also find a picture of Christ as a boy.  Have the children sing it with you 3 times.

Sing the chorus and ask 4 children to hold up the word "try" as you sing.  Ask all the children to sing with you and choose 4 different children to to hold up the word strips each time you sing the chorus.

Sing the second verse.  Ask if anyone knows what "vexed" means.  Explain its meaning. Hold up the words as you sing it again. Have the children sing it with you 3 times. 

Sing the whole song.

A Child's Prayer

Last week's post was on ideas for teaching the Hymn, "Come Follow Me."   Hymns can be a little more difficult to learn for children but constant review will seal them in their minds so when we sing a hymn that they have learned in Sacrament meeting, their eyes will light up and they will sing along.

Take time each week to review "Come Follow Me."  Challenge them and yourself to learn all verses.

"A Child's Prayer" is a favorite of children once they know it.  They love singing the duet part.

Choose two pictures of a child or children praying.  Use one picture for the first verse and the second for the second verse.  Use the same two pictures as you are learning the song.  The children will identify each verse with the picture.  Learn the first verse well.  Then learn the second verse just as well.

When you sing the duet, hold the first verse picture for one side of the primary to sing and the other picture for the other side to sing.  Then switch sides.  the pictures will determine which verse is to be sung.

Singing Time - 2019 "Come Follow Me"

Here is the suggested songs for Primary for 2019.  You can read more about the new schedule beginning this year at https://www.lds.org/study/manual/come-follow-me-for-singing-time-2019/instructions.html?lang=eng

Begin with one of the songs the children already know if possible.  "Come Follow Me," hymn #116, is a perfect hymn to sing when a quiet reverence is needed.  Read through the words so you are familiar with it.  I like to challenge the children to learn all verses.

• cut out simple foot steps and print one word on each form every phrase.
• 1st phrase - follow
• 2nd phrase - Footsteps
• 3rd phrase - alone
• 4th phrase - begotten
• Use this simple pattern for all 6 verses

Learning all the verses will help the children sing in Sacrament meeting, gives them words to think about when they need help or inspiration, and it's a great challenge! 

Music for Singing Time in 2019

January

“Come, Follow Me,” Hymns, no. 116

“A Child’s Prayer,” Children’s Songbook, 12–13

“Jesus Once Was a Little Child,” Children’s Songbook, 55

February

“Baptism,” Children’s Songbook, 100–101

“I Will Follow God’s Plan,” Children’s Songbook, 164–65

“He Sent His Son,” Children’s Songbook, 34–35

March

“I’m Trying to Be like Jesus,” Children’s Songbook, 78–79

“Did You Think to Pray?” Hymns, no. 140

“Tell Me the Stories of Jesus,” Children’s Songbook, 57

April

“Faith,” Children’s Songbook, 96–97

“I Feel My Savior’s Love,” Children’s Songbook, 74–75

“Jesus Has Risen,” Children’s Songbook, 70

May

“Keep the Commandments,” Children’s Songbook, 146–47

“Families Can Be Together Forever,” Children’s Songbook, 188

“I Am a Child of God,” Children’s Songbook, 2–3

June

“Love One Another,” Children’s Songbook, 136–37

“Behold the Great Redeemer Die,” Hymns, no. 191

“Did Jesus Really Live Again?” Children’s Songbook, 64

July

“Stand for the Right,” Children’s Songbook, 159

“I’ll Walk with You,” Children’s Songbook, 140–41

“I Know My Father Lives,” Children’s Songbook, 5

August

“When I Am Baptized,” Children’s Songbook, 103

“The Holy Ghost,” Children’s Songbook, 105

“The Lord Gave Me a Temple,” Children’s Songbook, 153

September

“When We’re Helping,” Children’s Songbook, 198

“A Child’s Prayer,” Children’s Songbook, 12–13

“I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” Hymns, no. 136

October

“When He Comes Again,” Children’s Songbook, 82–83

“The Church of Jesus Christ,” Children’s Songbook, 77

“I Love to See the Temple,” Children’s Songbook, 95

November

“Search, Ponder, and Pray,” Children’s Songbook, 109

“Tell Me, Dear Lord,” Children’s Songbook, 176

“Kindness Begins with Me,” Children’s Songbook, 145

December

“My Heavenly Father Loves Me,” Children’s Songbook, 228–29

“Choose the Right Way,” Children’s Songbook, 160–61

“When I Am Baptized,” Children’s Songbook, 103

Away in a Manger

There are 7 different versions of "Away in a Manger."  The Primary Songbook has one version on page 42 and the Hymn Book #206 is another one.  There are 3 verses that most of us are familiar with.  Try singing both versions with the children.  They are in two different keys so allow for an interlude for the key change. 

Singing the same words to different music helps us listen for the meaning of what we are singing about.

If you need picture prompts for the words here are a few suggestions.

1st verse

• Manger
• baby or baby Jesus
• Stars
• manger with straw

2nd verse

• cow or several cattle
• smiley face
• heart
• cradle or bed

3rd verse

• picture of Jesus with children
• heart
• picture of Jesus blessing children
• Explain what "fit" means - to prepare us, get us ready 

The chorus in the Primary Songbook is fun to sing girls first then boys and all together at the end.

Picture a Christmas

"Picture a Christmas," p. 50, beautifully describes the birth of Jesus.  This activity is fun for the children to act out as they sing.

• Use a large empty picture frame or make one out of poster board, cardboard or foam board
• cut two 2' to 3' (larger if you would like) about 3 inches wide
• cut two pieces the same size for a square frame - smaller for a rectangle frame
• tape the corners together
• color if you'd like
• cut out yellow stars - 4 or 5 and 1 large star (the star of Bethlehem)
• tape stars on straws so the children can hold them
• make gold halos for the angels out of gold pipe cleaners
• use a doll or roll a towel and wrap in a blanket for a baby Jesus
• use a picture of baby Jesus

Choose several children to be part of the picture.

• Mary, Joseph, a few shepherds, 4 or 5 stars, a few angels

Ask two children to hold up the frame. Start singing the song.

• "Picture a sacred, silent night"   the stars stand behind the frame
• "And can you hear the angels near"    angels stand in front of the stars
• "And see the star so bright?"   one child stands by the stars with the star of Bethlehem
• have a child hold up a picture of baby Jesus as you sing the chorus.

Second verse

• Have a boy (Joseph) stand in the frame
• a girl (Mary) enters and stands by Joseph holding the baby Jesus
• Shepherds come in next (a few boys and/or girls)
• Then sing the chorus.

You can do the who scene without the frame and just set a few chairs for Mary and Joseph and have the rest of the characters stand around them.

The children will love this activity and it will help them remember the words and meaning of the song.

"Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus"

The Sunday after Thanksgiving is a great day to teach or review "Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus," p. 36.  It's perfect to Samuel's prophecy as we prepare for Christmas. 

The notes at the bottom of the page tells what its original title was - "Christmas in Zarahemla."  You might want to ask the children why that title was a good one and perhaps why the current title is good also.

Be sure to sing both verses and sing the chorus joyously!

Thankful

My favorite activity the Sunday before Thanksgiving if "Put the Feathers on (or off) of the turkey.  When a child picks a feather, they tell one or two things that they are thankful for and then choose their favorite song to sing or you can put a "thankful" song on the back of each feather and sing that one.

There are several "November" posts that you might want to check out for more ideas.