Jesus Once Was a Little Child

I chose to teach Jesus Once Was a Little Child for January.  Mostly because I've never taught it and I've taught Come Follow Me (find my lesson plan HERE) and A Child's Prayer (find my lesson plan HERE) several times in past years.

To introduce the song, I want to read a VERY short story I found in this month's friend HERE. 

It's so quick, fast and simple, that I thought it made for the perfect introduction!  You can simply read it from the Friend, or I created larger printables HERE so each picture is its own page.  As you read each page, post it on the chalkboard using a magnet or tape. 

Or if you prefer, there are also 2 pictures in the Gospel Art Book HERE of Jesus as a child that you could post on the chalkboard while you read the story.

After reading the story, tell the children that we're going to learn a song that talks more about Jesus as a little child. You and the teachers sing the song but before you sing, ask the children to listen for how the song talks about how Jesus was once like you and me.

Post the words like I do HERE and if the kids want to sing along with you and the teachers, they can.

Write the children's answers on the chalkboard.

Sing the song again this time with you demonstrating actions using a scarf.

Pass out scarves.  I have these ones here:

I purchased mine from Amazon here:

Or you can make your own out of scraps of fabric (old sheets work well!), or cut tulle into squares, use handkerchiefs,  etc. or have the kids simply use some other simple object.

Then I've come up with some simple actions to use with the scarves as you teach and memorize the words:

CHORUS

• So little children: crouch and swing scarves back and forth
• let you and I: stand up and point outward with the scarf then inward
• try to be like him, try, try, try: every time you sing the word "try," have the kids throw their scarf up in the air and try to catch it!

Ask the children what we should try to do? [to be like him] and write it on the chalkboard.

1st VERSE

• Jesus once was a: begin swaying and swinging scarves back and forth
• little child: crouch and swing scarves back and forth near the floor 
• a little child: continue to crouch and swing scarves 
• like me: stand and turn around in place
• and he was pure* and meek* and mild*: return to swaying but assign certain colors a word to raise up their scarf when their word is sung 
• red/orange/yellow=pure
• pink/purple/white=meek
• green/blue/brown=mild
• as a little child: crouch and swing scarves 
• should be: stand and sway, swinging scarves back and forth

2nd VERSE

• He played as little children play the pleasant games of youth:  Have the kids find a partner and swap the scarves with each other to the beat without dropping the scarf (like they are playing a game!).
• But he never got vexed* if the game went wrong: slowly draw a large "X"
• And he always spoke the truth: make a large circle in the air

*When you come to the words "pure" "meek" and "mild" and "vexed," in the verses write them on the chalkboard and define them:

• Pure: true and fair
• Meek: humble and modest
• Mild: gentle and patient
• Vexed: angry

At the very end, bear testimony that we should always try to be like Jesus!

If it helps, download my Lesson Plan To-Go HERE!  I need to make a video of my actions...hopefully coming soon!

Find my Mirror the Savior Review Activity for this song HERE.

Make sure to checkout all of my lesson plans for January HERE.