How do you represent words to a child that doesn’t read? One way is Action Word Actions. A young child learns best through his body (think of learning to crawl, learning to walk, touching everything), so using his or her … Continued
There are 32 puzzle pieces put up around the room and 8 pieces of paper up at the front. I tell the children that there are lots of puzzle pieces around the room. I will tap a person on the … Continued
Once you have taught this song in two or three different ways, a fun way to “review” it (without the children knowing it is a review) is to put some handbell harmony with the song as they sing. Children take … Continued
Sway… swishing your whole arm and hands to the right. Now sway the other way to the left. “Can your hands follow my hands?” you ask the children. Begin to sing as you move and the children follow you. If … Continued
A melody is something you can’t touch or see, you can only hear! How do you help a concrete thinking child to visualize a melody? Try a melody map! Below is a melody map for If I Listen With My Heart. … Continued
Words for the word puzzle Download the PDF here.
The Shepherd’s Carol Shepherd’s Carol: Older Children – two ideas to teach the song Shepherd’s Carol: Younger Children – two ideas to teach the song Picture a Christmas Picture a Christmas: Older Children – two ideas to teach the song Picture a Christmas: … Continued
Idea #1 I asked a boy to come up front before Primary started, making sure it was okay for him to stand up on the chair (and warning him to be careful<grin>!) He put on the piece of cloth I … Continued
Idea #1 – Picture a Christmas using Nativity Sets (that children can touch) “Look what I have,” you tell the children. Begin singing. “Picture a stable in Judea.” Hold up the stable and set it down on a small table … Continued
Using handbells at Christmas is great fun for the children. To see how I introduce the handbells before teaching any of the songs with handbells, you can look at the post for The First Noel. This is another approach to … Continued