Story Song
Tell the story and Sing the italicized words of the song to the children.
Jill looked at her shoe, worn from where her right foot dragged on the ground when she walked. When she had the stroke a year ago, it made her right leg and foot not work very well. She had relearned how to walk, but she couldn’t run anymore.
“If you don’t walk as most people do, some people walk away from you. But I won’t! I won’t!”
Peter wished he could say all the thoughts that came rushing into his mind, but his mouth just wouldn’t cooperate sometimes. The words got stuck and wouldn’t come out. Sometimes his cheeks turned red as he tried and tried to say what he meant.
“If you don’t talk as most people do, some people talk and laugh at you. But I won’t! I won’t!”
“I’ll walk with you. I’ll talk with you. That’s how I’ll show my love for you.”
Jennifer couldn’t stand and cheer with the other girls. Her back was so curved, it didn’t allow her to stand. Sometimes it made her sad that she couldn’t stand.
“Jesus walked away from none. He gave His love to everyone.”
Tad knew he was lucky to even be able to walk, but as he was passing the Sacrament his short leg was so noticeable. He would have to stand on the toes of his short leg just so the two legs would be the same height.
“So I will! I will!”
Jim sometimes cried as he watched his older sister struggle to remember words. She had been a great reader and speaker before she had the radiation treatments for cancer. Now she struggled just to understand people. He wished other people would be kind to her and just try to listen to her.
“Jesus blessed all He could see, then turned and said, ‘Come Follow Me.’ And I will! I will!”
Tommy tried to keep the tic that pulled his head toward his shoulder quiet so no one would see it. He was grateful his best friend, Sam, didn’t seem to care if he had that bothersome movement in his head and neck. Tommy was grateful for Sam.
“I will! I will!”
Kiera put the words to the song up close to her face so that she could see them. She wanted to sing with the others. They didn’t know she could hardly see. The school called her legally blind, but she didn’t tell many people. She worked really hard to memorize things. It was so nice to have her friend, Abby, treat her like everyone else.
“I’ll walk with you. I’ll talk with you. That’s how I’ll show my love for you.”
One of the benefits of this activity is the interactive, real life examples that are presented through story and linked to the song. The children have a strong feeling and understanding about the song they wouldn’t otherwise have.
Chris West
This is so touching…just beautiful! I’m excited to teach this song using your stories. I know the children will feel the Spirit and Heavenly Father’s love for everyone.
Jayne
OK, I have a personal connection to this song. I have a whole role play in my head to introduce this song. Now I read your suggestion and maybe I was on the right track. I have a white can, bc I am visually impaired. The children have not seen this part of me and I compensate by memorizing instead of reading. This was the first song I learned in my first Primary at age 32. If I follow your suggestion and put in personal information is that ok? I was thinking along the same lines as you but when we sing I will… a child will be asked if they want to stand next the person with the prop. (cane, etc.) What do you think?
Sharla Dance
Personal experience is always the best teacher! Each of these scenarios are about someone I love. Even more powerful if they are someone the children know and love!!!
Dee
Great idea to teach kids empathy for kids with disabilities. We all have disabilities in one way or another. We all want to be included!
Patti Vance
Hello
Jacqueline Johnson
So grateful you shared this. So inspired! Thank you!
Sharla Dance
Thank you for saying something!
Janet Houston Potts
We have 4/5 children with differing needs in our wee primary. One has downs syndrome and she is non verbal. We have anothrt 4 children 2 of whom have selective mutism and we have another 2 children who have ASD and ADHD. It is our privilege and pleasure to share the gospel with all,of our primary children – we have anything between 4 and 14 children.,
As the counsellor and I’m in charge of singing time I was so grateful to see this song on this years list.,we just adore our children and yes it can be hard work but it’s so rewarding. Thanks for allmyour help.