Saturday, December 29, 2018

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

Friday, December 14, 2018

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.

Saturday, December 1, 2018

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.