Apostles as Children Singing Time or Family Home Evening

When I saw THIS article from LDSLiving.com, I knew what had to happen!
(What The Apostles Looked Like as Children by Danielle Beckstrom) It would be a really good idea to do around conference time to familiarize children with names and faces of our beloved leaders!
 All images are accredited in the article. Make a simple matching game. You can do that however you like!

A simple way I like is to take the pictures and put them on a board that I can have push pins in. Then have plenty of rubber bands to match one current picture to the picture from when they were young by looping the rubber band. I only have 5 pictured, but hopefully you get the idea.

This would make a really fun singing time! Each primary child could get 2 guesses before you move on to the next song!

If you choose to do it for Family Home Evening, start off with having pictures of family members as infants. Can they match which baby picture belongs to each other? 

Here are some quotes that a family member can read. Cut each quote and put into a can. Have a family member draw a quote from a can, read, then have the family member try to match the pictures! All quotes are from the last general conference found HERE. Make sure to talk about the quotes too!

President Monson: "As we enter through the doors of the temple, we leave behind us the distractions and confusion of the world. Inside this sacred sanctuary, we find beauty and order. There is rest for our souls and a respite from the cares of our lives."

President Eyring: " Other storms and tragedies will come across the world to people the Lord loves and whose sorrows He feels. Part of your fast offering and mine this month will be used to help someone, somewhere, whose relief the Lord will feel as if it were His own. Your fast offering will do more than help feed and clothe bodies. It will heal and change hearts."

President Uchtdorf: "Though we all have weaknesses, we can overcome them. Indeed it is by the grace of God that, if we humble ourselves and have faith, weak things can become strong."

Elder Boyd K. Packer: "The end of all activity in the Church is to see that a man and a woman with their children are happy at home, sealed for eternity.

Elder Russell M. Nelson: "The question for each of us is: because of what I have heard and felt during this conference, how will I change? Whatever your answer might be, may I invite you also to examine your feelings about, and your behavior on, the Sabbath day."

Elder L. Tom Perry: "What the restored gospel brings to the discussion on marriage and family is so large and so relevant that it cannot be overstated: we make the subject eternal! We take the commitment and the sanctity of marriage to a greater level because of our belief and understanding that families go back to before this earth was and that they can go forward into eternity."

Elder Neil L. Anderson: "Brothers and sisters, seeing and believing the Lord’s miracles in establishing His kingdom on earth can help us see and believe that the Lord’s hand is at work in our own lives as well."

Elder Quentin L. Cook: " One of the remarkable characteristics of young wild sunflowers, in addition to growing in soil that is not hospitable, is how the young flower bud follows the sun across the sky. In doing so, it receives life-sustaining energy before bursting forth in its glorious yellow color.

Like the young sunflower, when we follow the Savior of the world, the Son of God, we flourish and become glorious despite the many terrible circumstances that surround us. He truly is our light and life."

Elder D. Todd Christoffersen: "A family built on the marriage of a man and woman supplies the best setting for God’s plan to thrive."

Elder David A. Bednar: "The peace Christ gives allows us to view mortality through the precious perspective of eternity and supplies a spiritual settledness (see Colossians 1:23) that helps us maintain a consistent focus on our heavenly destination. Thus, we can be blessed to hush our fears because His doctrine provides purpose and direction in all aspects of our lives. His ordinances and covenants fortify and comfort in times both good and bad. And His priesthood authority gives assurance that the things that matter most can endure both in time and in eternity."

Elder Dallin H. Oaks: "If the emblems of the sacrament are being passed and you are texting or whispering or playing video games or doing anything else to deny yourself essential spiritual food, you are severing your spiritual roots and moving yourself toward stony ground....And that applies to adults also."

Elder Robert D. Hales: "To keep the commandments, we need to know the official doctrine of the Church so we are not diverted from Christ’s leadership by the ever-changing whims of individuals."

Elder M. Russell Ballard: “RM” doesn’t mean “retired Mormon”! As a returned missionary, you “should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of [your] own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: "Jesus Christ suffered, died, and rose from death in order that He could lift us to eternal life."

Elder Richard G. Scott: "Remember our Savior is the Prince of Peace. Peace in this mortal life comes from His atoning sacrifice. When we are consistently praying morning and night, studying our scriptures daily, having weekly family home evening, and attending the temple regularly, we are actively responding to His invitation to “come unto Him.” (This quote is from Oct. 2014 General Conference because he didn't speak in the April 2015 General Conference)

Primary Music Leader 101: The Basics, How to Teach a Child a Song

Remember, before you teach, to give the pianist the songs ahead of time. Also, pray for the spirit to be with you!

 

Tips on how to teach a song:

1. BE CONFIDENT. So you're not the best singer. So what? Practice. Ask for help. Or maybe you're a great singer but being in front of a bunch of children who are adorably cute makes you nervous. You are amazing. You are awesome!! You can do this!!!

2. KNOW THE SONG. Know the melody, know ALL the words. How can you expect to teach a song that you haven't practiced or do not know? It doesn't have to be perfect and you'll probably make mistakes. But it is better to have a song semi-memorized than holding a big bulky book and looking confused. Sing in the shower, sing in the car, sing on elevators??, sing a word on each stair you climb... teach your family, teach anyone willing, then teach at Primary! Yes. This takes some time. God will bless you. Do you have a special experience with this song? Share the story with the children before you learn it.

3. GO OVER THE MELODY.

What does the song sound like?
- Have the pianist play through the melody. Let children hum along. They can also sing vowel sounds like oooo, aah, or eee, and switch off throughout the song.
- Have the children see if they can clap (or tap on knee) the rhythm while you sing the melody. Rhythm sticks are an excellent tool to use while learning the melody of a song... you could even use 2 pencils to tap together!
- You could have a guest come in to sing it. For younger children, have them conduct their hand while the person is singing. Remember, sitting for large amounts of time is HARD!! And not necessary.

What are the words?
- Have visuals with PICTURES. Let the children hold the visuals!! You do not need to have every word written to the song on visuals because a good chunk of your little ones can't even read yet! Plus, half the time you can't see the words printed out. It's the pictures that they will need to associate with learning. KEY WORDS along with pictures are great!
- If you don't have visuals, use hand movements!!! Have a few children up front to do hand movements with you!
- Sometimes dress up will work. Or toys. You can even have visuals that hang around the neck like a necklace. Don't limit yourself to just a flip chart!*
- I write all the words on the back of the visual for me so if I get stuck, they are there, instead of me having to run back to the book.

4. TEACH SMALL PHRASES OF WORDS AT A TIME. Sing the phrase. Have the children repeat. Listen carefully to see if the children are getting it. Do you hear everyone singing? After a few phrases, go back to the beginning and sing it through up to what you have learned. The pianist can just play the melody while you are learning.

5. BE POSITIVE!!!! Tell the children what a wonderful job they are doing. Thank them for all their help. Thank them for listening and working so hard. Use your words to build them up, not tear them down.

6. DO NOT SPEND TOO MUCH TIME ON THE SAME SONG!!! Opinions may vary, but anything over 8ish minutes seems brutal for one song. There is so much wonderful music in the Children's Songbook. Of course you want to have children learn the song, but if you spend a small amount of time each week, it will come.

7. QUIZ!
Sing a phrase and leave out a word. Sing a phrase and have them sing the next! Put in a silly word and have them sing it the right way.

Once you have learned a song, there are many ways to review it! Here are a few simple ideas.**
1. Hot/Cold - is your song about love? Have a heart for a child to hide in the room. Let another child go outside while they hide. When they come back in, the primary sings loud if the person is close to the heart, soft if they are far away.
2. Special Pointer- It could be as simple as a stick. One primary friend comes up front to point to which side of the room will sing. The primary has to watch carefully and be ready!!
3. Zipper Words- Have a pencil case with a zipper. Have a child choose a word from the song to zip our lips to! Is the word ALL? Zip it in the pouch (pretend) and don't sing on ALL!
4. Stop/Go- Have a red and green circle. Invite a primary child to hold them up. On red, no singing. On green, sing.
5. Staccato- sing it short and choppy.
6. Ribbon sticks- Sing smooth and flowing. Good to use after you sing staccato.
7. Sing the song backwards- Stand up and face the back of the room. Ha ha!!
8. Yoga Pose Singing- Balance while you sing.
9. I SPY- Have special glasses for special children who can sing and spy at the same time. If they saw someone singing the WHOLE SONG, then they can have that person come up front to wear the glasses and spy the next time we sing.
10. NO PIANO- The primary pianist comes up front with her fingers playing the air either high or low. Children play the air piano also while they sing and move their hands high or low just like the pianist.

 

Read THIS to really feel the spirit and gain a stronger testimony of the importance of music.

* Flip charts are not my personal favorite. Flip charts are "YOU". But singing time is about "THEM". I really like having children stand up front holding signs because it gets them moving. After singing through once, children can choose another primary friend to hold the sign. It gives them the chance to figure out the order of the words for the song again, so you're sneaking in extra word practice! Remind children the behavior expected while holding a sign- keeping the sign to themselves, steady, and singing while holding!

** Some songs are more reverent in nature. Be aware and don't use review methods that would detract from the spirit of that song... for example, stomping during I Stand All Amazed. 

Sing or Dare- Singing Time Idea

Image from Ashley singingtimeinfortworth.blogspot.com

She's got some great ideas!!

I needed a last minute singing time idea and found THIS. I loved it!!!

But more importantly the children loved it. In fact, one child loved it so much, he took both my SING and DARE bag. I couldn't find it anywhere for Senior Singing Time!!! I had to do the DARE or SING off the top of my head!!

I didn't make a fancy poster. Because I'll be honest... paper bags are easier. Then you cut the following into strips and have them choose.

Ashley's DARE:
For Junior Primary
Stand on your chair and shout "I love primary!"
Name your favorite thing about Primary
Name 2 latter day prophets
Switch seats with someone else
Give your teacher a hug
Give the primary presidency (I changed to Pianist) a high five

For Senior Primary
Tell the names of everyone in your class
Stand on your chair and shout "I love Primary!"
Give everyone a high-five
Name 3 latter day prophets
Hop on one foot around the podium 3 times
Draw a picture of your favorite food

I added some dares:
Open the primary door and loudly say in the hallway, "I need a snacky!!!"
(That was awesome!)
Act like a fish for 20 seconds
In a sing-song voice give 3 people in primary a compliment

For singing, I chose different songs and used Ashley's ways to SING:
Clap the rhythm while you sing
March in place while you sing
Play Stop/Go while you sing
Stand on one foot and sing
Tiptoe in a circle while you sing
Whisper sing

Junk you never knew you needed!!! Sing for Junk Singing Time

Summer is full of many fun activities.... one being garage sales!!!!! With garage sales you discover junk that you never knew you needed... for CHEAP!!! The excitement of a bargain!! The thrill of finding!!

True story: 8AM my good lookin' hubby sees a George Foreman grill. This baby could get 10 steaks on it! It was huge!! I didn't know where on earth we would put it. They wanted $7. My husband only had $5 left of his money for the day. Was I willing to spare him $2? The problem is he gets junk fever!! He gets the junk and we end up selling it a year later at a garage sale at our house!! We drove away. 30 seconds later, being the compassionate/enabler wife I am, we went back.... but to our dismay it was gone. Sigh. Live life without regrets!! Today we sing!! Today you get junk!!

Clean out your house (and I had many teachers tell me they wish they would have known so they could have brought junk too!) and bring your junk that you're willing to give away. Set up with a sign that says "Sing for Junk".

Preface that at garage sales you have to be quick. What happens if you just stand there thinking... hmmm.... do I really need this? Someone is going to come and snatch it up!! Before we start, I need everyone to commit to a 5 second rule. You're at the Sing for Junk table 5 seconds, grab and go! Also, once you have your junk it goes UNDER YOUR CHAIR, in class too!! They can show their commitment by wiggling their nose, pulling their earlobes 3 times and clicking their heels 4 times.

Have a jar with all the names of the primary friends. After you sing a song, draw a few names to visit the table.

This is free junk!! All you have to do is sing with a smile!!

The children loved this activity. A boy got a barbie back pack and the children giggled but were humbled when he said his baby sister might really like it one day when she grew up! I also had one boy who was completely utterly disappointed with what he got. Ugh, crayons!! Major melt down. He was the only one in a primary of 70 who had a problem. I had some spare junk in another bag and let him rummage around AFTER singing time was over. I told him to cheer up, Jesus loves him and not to let small stuff make him feel bad.

Back To School Singing Time

*Recycled Post*

School's back in session!!!

Isaiah 1:17 "Learn to do well..." and sing to learn!!

Poster board makes great puzzles. Just draw, color, cut & add cheapo magnets to the back that you get in your junk mail with hot glue. On the back of your puzzle add the songs you want to sing and the page number for a handy reference for your fabulous pianist.

I like to over-prepare. I'd rather have too much than not enough.

After a primary friend chooses a puzzle piece we have activities to do while singing or after singing, depending on the song! You be the judge of the fine line that runs between showing reverence and having fun too!

Activities:

Balance an apple on your head or back of your hand

Art! Art! Art! Draw a picture on a piece of paper on your forehead of a cat.

Solve math problems on a calculator- as a  side note, the Holy Ghost is like a calculator! Yup! It's true, He just makes solving problems easier!

Book stacking & balancing into towers

Write the words of the song in the air with your finger pencil

Eraser toss into a pencil case

Pass the pencil using your elbows

And of course you can't forget P.E! Jog in place, knees high!!

Ice Cream Family Themed Summer Singing Time

 

Since July is all about families in Primary, I decided to do this simple singing time. You could easily adapt to have children choose songs from the popsicles instead of answer questions. We also enjoyed this activity as a family home evening!

 

If you have a cereal box, cover it (glue guns are your best friend) with a paper bag from the grocery store then embellish with scraps you have. The box is just a fun prop to look at or you could have a child "drive" (hold it and pass it to another friend) who was also a fabulous singer.

 

On the back of the popsicles I had these questions:

What is a favorite family vacation you've taken?

What is a fun holiday tradition you have in your family?

Why do we want our families to be eternal?

Can you think of 5 families from the scriptures?

What is your favorite family game to play?

How can you show love to someone in your family?

What are choices you have when someone is bothering/annoying you in your family?

Name 3 reasons/things you love about someone in your family.

 

Ask the children if they've ever been in this type of pickle. The ice cream man is coming, you hear his wonderful music playing, you look in your piggy bank and there is no money!! You ask your mom and she says she doesn't carry cash!! BUMMER!!! Well, today we don't have to worry about that. All you need is excellent singing to buy these delicious popsicles. What?? you say?? But they are made out of paper!! (take a fake lick of a popsicle) They taste dreamy to me! When we sing, I'm looking for the following:

1. Bold singing - not shouting!! Just nice and loud!!

2. Smiles!!

3. People actually singing!! Moving mouths with sound coming out!!

Song Help “Families Can Be Together Forever” (CS, 188)

Angel Moroni Sacramento, CA temple image courtesy creative commons license flickr.com by akseez 1/2009

* Build a family! As the children sing with zest and zeal let them put up one member of a family inside a home. This can be done on a poster board or you can have a small sized doll house with small dolls to put in. Also they can add a small picture of a temple framed inside the home.

* You might think this idea is crazy... and maybe it is. Pick and choose my friends. Pick. And. Choose. If you were married and sealed in the temple, choose a special singer to wear your wedding ring while you all sing. Give them a signal to find another person who is singing nicely and let that child wear the ring. Tell them that they need to treat the ring with special care because it is a symbol of your eternal family. You want to share that with them to help them remember what a special song they are singing! (I have a simple gold band I wear... which works for boys and girls. However, if you have a half pound diamond, that doesn't really work for boys, so ask the hubby or a male primary teacher to help out too)

* What is the difference between "can" and "will"? Once the children learn the words to the song tell them you have a special surprise for them. Decorate small cans (Like soup cans?) for them to take home. Tell them to fill up the CAN with ways that WILL help their family be together forever.

* Post 8 different pictures of temples. Let the children choose from the temples to see how they will sing this song. For example, you could have the Boise, ID temple. It starts with the letter B so Boys only. You could have the San Diego, CA temple. It starts with the letter S so sing softly.
You could have the Washington DC temple. It starts with the letter W so while singing wave your hands gently in the air side to side. You could have the Lima Peru temple. It starts with L so sing loudly and boldly! Etc.

Breezy Singing Time Idea for Spring

 

Do you have a couple scrapbook paper leftovers? Do you have some hot glue?

Then you're all set.

 

HERE is a wonderful story from The Friend you can tell the children in your own words briefly.

Kites are so much fun! Singing is so much fun! We'll put the 2 together and let our voices soar!

 

Kite Wands are made of wooden skewers and diamond shaped paper. I also hot glued some of the twisty ties you get from the grocery store to make bows. Children can lead the songs up front, but remind them to sing while they lead!

 

Make a paper kite for a child to hold. Divide the room in half. Whichever side they float to has to sing.

 

Ways to Sing:
Wave arms in the breeze while singing

Whistle the song

Start on the ground and rise like a kite while singing

Reverently jog while holding on to kite string and sing (say that 10 times fast!)

Make a large kite string by linking arms with neighbor and "OOOoo" the song

 

Kite Volume Meter. When the kite is low, sing soft. When the kite is high, sing bold!

 

And don't forget to remind the children that in these windy days, we need to remember those in the Midwest who were affected by the tornadoes in our daily prayers.

“When I Am Baptized” LDS Song Helps and Ideas

Image courtesy creative commons license flickr.com by Renate Dodell

*I originally published this post 4/19/2012. I'm re-posting this, even though it happened to be one of my most controversial posts. Each year I ask the primary children who are turning 8 why they are baptized and almost all will raise their hand that they are baptized to be forgiven of their sins they have. Hopefully we can teach our children a little better, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.*
 

Hey! So does anyone have a minor qualm with the 2nd verse? My 7 year old brought it up and I quite agree with her "I know when I am baptized, my wrongs are washed away...." Plain and simple, children are clean before the age of 8. The reason they are baptized is to show obedience like the Savior and enter in at the gate as commanded. We decided when we sing it at home we're changing the words to "After I am baptized, my wrongs are washed away (then add in super fast "when I repent!") And I can be forgiven and etc. I know "wrongs" is different from "sins" however Moroni makes it pretty clear "And their little children need no repentance, neither baptism." Yes, absolutely, children need to learn how to recognize mistakes and say I'm sorry... what on earth am I rambling about? Basically, I just like the way we sing it at home better.

Now that I added my 2 cents.....

* Assign different parts of the song to a piece of colored paper. You'll have to write the words on the paper and then put the paper on the blackboard.

Red- I like to look for Rainbows, whenever there is rain

Orange- And ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again

Yellow- I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain

Green- I want to be the best I can

Blue- And live with God again!

The whole 2nd verse could be on white paper!

Have children stand up and sing on their favorite color!

Have children stand up when you sing that color if they are wearing that color!!

Have a primary friend come to the front to conduct the song, children stand up on the color they think is that primary friend's favorite! At the end of the song, make sure that primary friend shares what their favorite color is!

Take a poll, by raise of hands, and find out the primary's favorite colors. In order of favorite to least favorite, sing the song... ( For example, Green, Blue, Red, Yellow, Orange... then you'd sing I want to be the best I can, and live with God again, I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain.... etc)

* You could make simple rainbow ribbon wands for children to conduct and wave with.

* Make a rain stick!! They are so fun!! Invite a primary child to turn on the rain (turn the stick), while it's raining children can gently snap their fingers to add to the rain sound... once the rain is over, we can start to gently sing our song. Easy instructions with nice pictures on how to make a rain stick found HERE.

* Bring in a basket of rainbow colored clothes. Red coat, orange scarf, yellow hat, green shirt... etc. When they learn parts of the song really well, they can dress up a primary friend (or a missionary!) in a rainbow!

In response to some comments, I wrote a follow up post HERE.

Give Said the Little Stream - Song Help and Idea

 

I'm so excited for spring songs!!

 

1. Take some paper and whip out your black marker.

 

2. Draw a stream, a cloud with raindrops & find a picture of Jesus from The Friend to cut out.

 

3. Hot glue on popsicle sticks. Hot glue wiggly eyes onto your stream, cloud & raindrops. Let the children hold/wave while you sing!

 

Fun! And simple!

If The Savior Stood Beside Me LDS Primary Song Help Ideas

 

Do we all know the following poem?

 

One night a man had a dream.

He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord.

Scenes from his life flashed across the sky
and he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
one belonging to him and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of his life had flashed before him,
he recalled that at the lowest and saddest times of his life
there was only one set of footprints.

Dismayed, he asked, "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,
you'd walk with me all the way.
I don't understand why, when I needed you most,
you would leave me."

The Lord replied, "My precious child.
I love you and I would never leave you.

During your times of trial and suffering
when you saw only one set of footprints...

That was when I carried you."

Read the poem to the children. What do they think about it? The following are ideas to use in correlation with this poem and the song.

In D&C 78:18 The Savior says, "...Be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours."

* Have footprint shaped visuals with pictures to represent the words.

* Have a little box of sand with parts of the questions from the song on a piece of paper, children sing the missing part ( ):
If The Savior stood beside me, would I do.... (the things I do?)
Would I think..... (of His commandments and try harder to be true?)
Would I follow... (His example?)
Would I live.... (more righteously, if I could see the Savior standing nigh watching over me?)

* Have 1 child up front with a blindfold. Invite 3 others up. Have them sing part of the song. Invite the blindfolded child to guess who is standing beside them by their singing.

* Have a path of footprints, invite children to pick a footprint with a way to sing the song:
standing with heels touching
sing on tippy toes
stand shoulder to shoulder with a neighbor and sing
sing with hands making a wave motion on the beach
sing with fingers (pointer & middle) walking in the air together

* Have a walking stick. Invite a child to come up front and share a place they'd like to walk with Jesus and have Him stand with them. Have them lead a verse of the song with the stick.

Roll a Dice: Snowman Music Idea for LDS Primary

Here is a SIMPLE music idea!! 

What you'll need:

A die

Chalk & Eraser

Printed Out Game Sheet below

You can sing songs having to do with the week's theme. Invite a primary friend who was doing a great job singing to come up front and roll a die. On the first roll, that primary friend will draw a body corresponding to the number they roll on the chalk board. Sing another song! Invite another friend to roll the die and they will draw the corresponding face to the number they roll since they are second. 

It doesn't have to stop at one snowman! Build as many as you like.

This could also make for a simple Family Home Evening. Prepare some questions on any gospel topic you want. After a family member answers the question they roll the die and draw.

Roll a Snowman by chulbakera

I Am A Child of God Song Helps & Ideas LDS Hymns 301

Free I Am A Child of God Printable by NatSprat click HERE for her website link

* Who Am I?
Have about 5 interesting facts per child. After you sing a verse of the song tell your primary friends that you have a mystery child of God. Tell the 5 facts. See if they can guess who it is! Invite that friend and whoever guesses correctly to come up front and help you lead.

* Have a picture of children from all over the world. Make it into a puzzle and turn the pieces so the picture can't be seen. As you learn the words to the song, primary children can earn a chance to turn around a puzzle piece. We are all so different! Yet we are all brothers and sisters. We are all children of Heavenly Father who loves us dearly.

* Psalms 82:6 says "All of you are children of the most High." Write it on the chalk board. Have a picture of Heavenly Father & Jesus Christ appearing to Joseph Smith. As far as I know, that is the only gospel picture of Heavenly Father... except for smaller illustrations in the scripture story books. Put that picture as high as possible on the chalk board. Have paper signs that you can write class names on like Sunbeams, CTR 4, etc. Look for classes that have everyone singing in them! Invite a child to come put their class post it as high as possible on the chalk board... you might have to have them stand on a chair or lift them! And of course, make it positive... this isn't a competition! All classes should be able to move their post it to the top!! For example, "Wow. Sunbeams!! That was amazing. Come move your post it Annie for your class. Every single one of you were singing! Let's try verse two and see who else we can move!! I'm so proud of you children of the most High!!"

* Videos almost always catch children's attention. HERE is a Mormon message video to I am A Child of God that you could share with your primary. I really like it. It's peppy and fun. But my favorite part is that around 1 min. 32 seconds there is a guy and he's holding something that looks like a black snake with it's mouth open.

* A while back, I had an interesting discussion with a friend who wasn't a member of our church. Actually, it wasn't that interesting. It was frustrating. What one of his hang ups with the gospel was the fact that we know we have the possibility to become like God. I tried to make it as simple as possible, and thinking back it'd actually be a good introduction to learning this song.

Show a picture of a baby sheep. Does this little lamb have a cow for a father? Show a picture of a baby horse? Does this foal have an elephant for a mother? What about an apple? Does an apple come from an orange tree? We are children of Heavenly Father. We were created in His image. He has a body and we have a body. He loves us more than we can know. The universe didn't just explode and humans were created. We are children of God and we need to try our best to return to Him and be like Him!!

* GOOD TO KNOW: " When “I Am a Child of God” was first written in English one of the lines read: “Teach me all that I must know to live with Him someday.” However, Sister Randall changed the words because of a suggestion made by President Kimball.

 

Several years ago, before Spencer W. Kimball became president of the Church, he was visiting a conference in California where Primary children sang this song. Later, he said to a visiting Primary general board member, “I love the children’s song, but there is one word that bothers me. Would Sister Randall mind if the word know were changed to the word do?”

 

The change was made, for President Kimball had pointed out a very important truth—that while it is important to know what is right, it is more important to do what is right. Only in this way can we be sure of returning someday to our heavenly home to live always with our Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and our loved ones. Great joy comes to us when we understand the full meaning of the words “I Am a Child of God!

I Am a Child of God By Elder Robert D. Hales of the First Quorum of the Seventy Nov. 1978 Liahona