Singing with Children with Disabilities

The February Ensign 2012 has a great article on working with children who have disabilities and other challenges.  Our primary has had opportunities to serve these precious children.  Using pictures and having them help hold them has encouraged their participation.  Also, having them help put up various things on the board depending on the activity has helped them feel apart of primary.

One thing that I have found is that too much noise -- whether it be singing, laughing or talking, can be a source of anxiousness in children with learning challenges.  Always encourage children to sing reverently.  Shouting is NOT singing, nor is screaming.

 I cut 8 inch circles from brightly colored card stock.  I printed the dynamic symbols below on 5 circles. (I did a quick search for these symbols on the internet.)  Then, tape a tongue depressor stick or paint stick on the back of each circle to use as a handle.  I explained each symbol's meaning.  The children enjoy watching carefully so they can sing the proper dynamic level.  The children will enjoy taking a turn holding them up, also.

Teacher, We Love You!

February is a great month to show our love and appreciation to others,  Here is an idea to show appreciation for our teachers.  Cut out about 20 or more hearts the size of a hand using red and pink paper.  Print the words in large print: "We Love You!"  Choose several songs to sing that the children love to sing.  (They will sing them well if they know them.)  After the children sing each song, have several children put a heart on the board in the shape of a large heart. When the heart is complete, put up the words "We Love You" and ask the children to say it to the teachers.

Choose the Right Ideas

"Choose the Right" is the hymn for this month.  I teach the sign language to the hymns each year.  If you are interested, you can follow this link to watch the sign language.  Even if you do just a few signs it will be a help to the children as they learn the hymn.

Another option is to teach the chorus this week. Cut out the following:

•  3 hearts (red or pink) 
• a white heart with an arrow pointing up (you could make the arrow red)
• a yellow circle for the sun (light)
• a circle with a happy face drawn on it 

Write the words to the chorus on the board.  Every time it says "Choose the right" put a heart up instead.  The white heart is in place of the words "mark the way before."  In place of "In the light," place the sun there and the happy face in place of the words, "bless you evermore."  Explain to the children what the symbols stand for then sing the chorus.  Sing it enough times that you can erase the words and just sing it with the symbols.  Make sure you review last month's song, "As a Child of God."

Build an Igloo

Draw an Igloo -- it's as easy as drawing a half circle.  Cut out a door, then cute the Igloo into "ice bricks."  Cut them as big or as small as you would like.  The children can put the Igloo together brick by brick after each phrase learned well or each time it is sung, or after each song is sung.  You can ask several children to put up a brick as a reward for singing in their best voices, or for being reverent in between songs.  Try to have the entire Igloo built by the end of sharing or singing time.

"As a Child of God"

"As a Child of God" has a powerful message.  The melody is simple which helps us focus on the message.  I chose pictures to teach each set of two lines. 
First two lines: A picture of a baby, of the earth and a family
Lines 3 and 4: A picture of a happy family and a heart with "love" written in the heart
Lines 5 and 6: A picture of a house and a child doing service (cleaning, yard work, visiting the elderly)
Chorus: A picture of a child with Christ, a light (light bulb, flashlight), a "CTR" shield

As you show each set of pictures, sing the two lines while pointing to the pictures.  Singing the phrases 3 times helps the children hear the melody.  Have the children sing the phrases 3 times, then move on to the next two lines.  Sing the whole song once all phrases have been learned.

Share and Sing

Ask several children to find or draw a picture of the nativity.  Collect them before Sunday or have them bring them to Primary.  Share the pictures with the Primary and sing one of the songs in the Christmas section of the Primary Songbook.  Some pictures may be specific, such as a picture of Joseph - the song could be "When Joseph Went to Bethlehem," a picture of a star - "Stars Were Gleaming."  Children could share their picture and choose a song to sing that goes with their picture. 

Another option would be to ask several children to draw or find a picture of a specific song.  Have them share it with the Primary and sing the song.

Treasure Box

Find a box - the size depends on what you put inside.  The box can be decorated or left plain.  Choose a song to teach the children, for instance, "Samuel Tells of Baby Jesus" p. 36.  In the box put the following:

• picture of Samuel the Lamanite
• a number "5" or calendar
• a large star - it can be folded
• picture of baby Jesus or a doll wrapped in a simple blanket
• a map of the world (this could be a "rough" sketch of the Americas, the ocean and Bethlehem)
• picture of angels singing

Bring out one item at a time and sing the song and have the children tell what part of the song it represents.  Or you can bring each item out in order as it is sung.

You can use this for many songs by putting an item in the box that represents something in the song.  The children can guess what song it represents.  Having a list of songs for them to choose from helps narrow the choices down.

This activity is great for Christmas time.  You can have an entire nativity in the box and bring out a piece and sing about it.  Be sure to watch your time so you don't go too long.