Thursday, June 29, 2017

A year of FHE lessons for toddlers and preschoolers

In the 4+ years of being a mom I haven't found too many resources for teaching the gospel to toddlers. So I decided to make a blog about lessons we've done at home, lessons I've seen others teach, and some I've seen online, and organize it into a year of FHE lessons to benefit other parents and children out there. I'll give a song suggestion for each lesson, but you can sing anything you want. For treats I usually make a large batch of cookies some day and freeze most of it, then take out a few on Monday nights. Or do ice cream, brownies, or store bought treats. I just keep that part simple. To keep them engaged we show a lot of pictures and do crafts, activities, and acting out.


Topic: Creation
Song: My Heavenly Father Loves Me p228 or I am a Child of God p2
Lesson: Get 7 small sheets. Label them 1-7 and on the back write what was created. 1) Divided light from darkness to make day and night, 2) organized heaven and earth, 3) divided land from waters and created grass, flowers, trees, fruit, and herbs, 4) created sun, moon, and stars, 5) created fish and birds, 6) created animals and man, 7) rest. Put these sheets on the wall/fridge/somewhere and let a child pick one at a time starting with #1 briefly saying what was done each day. When we talked about day #7 with Him resting we said this is why daddy doesn’t work on Sunday, and this is why we don’t go to the store on Sunday. Kids love being able to pick things off a wall and be a helper. Show a picture of the earth and of Adam and Eve, google them if needed (google "LDS picture of Adam & Eve).



Topic: Heavenly Father has a body like me
Song: Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes p275a
Lesson: Print out a copy of a body online (below is an example). Cut out the body parts, put into a cup or paper bag, and have the kids pick out one at a time and say we have one of these and Heavenly Father has one of these. Show where they are on the kids’ bodies. Show a picture of the First Vision to show a picture of Him. Say we look just like Him.




Topic: Brother of Jared sees Lord’s finger
Song: Faith p96
Lesson: Make paper boats or get cups to “pretend” to be boats and put in a large dish/bathtub with water. Teach that the Jaredites needed to build boats (barges) to go across the water. This time they were crossing the whole ocean so they needed light, and they didn’t have lights, flashlights, cell phones, or candles. The brother of Jared asked Heavenly Father for help making light so he brought Him 16 rocks and asked Him to touch them to make them into lights, and Heavenly Father did. Have the kids help you count 16 rocks. (The song was about faith because the brother of Jared had such strong faith and truly believed Heavenly Father could make those into light). Teach the kids that if they really believe Heavenly Father can help them (feel better when sick, not be scared of the dark or dogs, make friends, etc) He will help. Show a picture of this scripture story, google it if you don't have one.


Topic: Iron rod
Song: Book of Mormon stories p118
Lesson: Build an iron rod course. You could have them follow a string in your house. We had our kids walk across a 4x4 in our backyard. We held something out for them to hold on to while they walked across it. At the end eat apples or fruit since Lehi’s family found fruit and partook of it. Teach the story about Lehi eating the fruit and finding it good and wanting his family to partake. Some of his sons didn’t want to, but some did and they got the yummy fruit. We need to follow God and do what he says to get good things. Always show pictures of the scripture stories you teach. You can google them all.


Topic: Nephi’s family on the boat
Song: Nephi’s courage p120 v2
Lesson: We had a fun time acting this out. My husband got a blue blanket and put it on the ground. Then he put our 3 little ones in a basket pretending it was a boat on the water and moved it around to show how things were on the boat when they weren’t being righteous. Then the bad weather stopped when they were being nice and making good choices.


Topic: Premortal life/Plan of Salvation
Song: I lived in heaven p4
Lesson: I put a piece of paper by our doorway with the words “pre-mortal life” and with streamers down the doorway. We talked about how we used to live in heaven with Heavenly Father and Jesus and they wanted us to come to earth and make good choices, but Satan wanted to force us to make good choices. Then we walked through the streamers (the “veil”) to another part of the room labeled “mortal life/earth.” I showed my kids pictures of them when I was pregnant and the day they were born. They always love looking at baby pictures of themselves. I held a bowl of jelly beans and told them they could have one but had to choose green. Then I said they could have another but they could choose, they were happier being able to choose. I showed pictures of good things for them to do while on earth (pray, read scriptures, get baptized, help others, get married in the temple). Then we walked over to the kitchen with 3 different size steps, lowest represented telestial kingdom, middle terrestrial, highest celestial, and asked which step they wanted to be on, very briefly describing the kingdoms. A lot to take in for this age, but they need to start learning about it. And this is a fun one where they get to move around, stand on chairs, and have jelly beans. Below is a picture from a blog that inspired this lesson. 



Topic: Valentine’s Day: Heavenly Father loves me
Song: He sent His Son p34
Lesson: Put these words on legos, 1-3 words a lego: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Build the legos in correct order and talk about how Heavenly Father loved us so much that he gave us Jesus. Point to each family member and say Heavenly Father loves them. Show pictures of Jesus saying He loves all children. I found this cool idea online.
 



Topic: Valentine’s Day: Love at Home
Song: Love is spoken here p190
Lesson: Make a small paper house and cut out paper hearts. Ask what kinds of things your family can do to show love and kindness, write those things on the hearts and put them in the house, and say you want your family to do and say those things so we can have a home filled with love. The kids will love getting to put a heart inside the house. The "love house" I made didn't look anything like the picture below, but it was still a meaningful lesson and enjoyable for the kids. Don’t let a 1-year-old hold the paper house. He will destroy it immediately. I may or may not have personal experience with this.



Topic: Follow the prophet
Song: Follow the prophet p110 A verse about President Monson can be sung like this: “Thomas is a prophet with a gentle heart, visiting the sick he always does his part. Servant from his youth – he will lead us well, listen to his stories live by what they tell.”
Lesson: Print out a copy of a picture of President Monson and cut it into puzzle pieces beforehand, then put them together with the kids. Talk about what our prophet’s name is, that he teaches us important things Heavenly Father wants us to know, that our prophet loves us, and tells us to be nice to others. Make a fort and play “follow the leader.” Pretend like you’re following the prophet. 


Topic: Noah’s ark
Song: Follow the prophet p110 v3
Lesson: Teach that Heavenly Father needed Noah to build a boat and put 2 of each animal on it and that it is important to listen to Heavenly Father. Ahead of time make an ark: 1.5 paper plates per child; tape/glue/staple half a paper plate to another. Color the bottom half brown, color a rainbow on top. Google black and white pictures of animals, print them out and cut them, have kids color them and put them in the ark. My kids had a blast doing this and played with them for a long time afterwards (we put these in our Sunday/sacrament meeting bag). Show the picture of this scripture story. Google it if needed.


Topic: The sacrament/Easter
Song: The sacrament p72 or I feel my Savior’s love p74
Lesson: Teach that Easter is about Jesus and how He died for us because he loves us. Show the pictures of Jesus’ death and present day taking the sacrament. Say Jesus died for us and when we eat the bread and water at church it is called “the sacrament” and we should think about Jesus when we eat it. I found this fun idea on Pinterest: ahead of time cut out a paper in the shape of a sacrament tray and write on it “What can I do during the sacrament?” In the shape of sacrament cups write things they can do during the sacrament: don’t bother my parents or other people, make a covenant by using my right hand to take the bread and water, think about Jesus by stories or songs that I know, put the sacrament cups back without playing with them, take the piece of bread or water nearest me, put away books, pencils, and other things during the sacrament, listen to the sacrament prayers and say “amen” at the end, be quiet and stay in my seat. Have the kids pull one paper at a time out of a bag/cup and read them. They love being able to pull papers out of somewhere.


Topic: Easter

Song: Easter Hosanna p68 or I’m Trying to be like Jesus p78

Lesson: Read “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle. Talk about the cycle of butterfly to cocoon to butterfly. That symbol is all about Easter and Jesus. The first stage, caterpillar, symbolizes his life on earth. Second phase, cocoon, symbolizes his death and burial. Third stage, butterfly, raising from the dead in a glorified body. Google images online of caterpillar, cocoon, butterfly, put them together on a word document and have the kids color it.
  

Topic: Easter

Song: Jesus has risen p70 or I know that my Savior loves me
Lesson: Label 12 plastic Easter eggs 1-12 on the outside, and put the following things on the inside. Let kids pick one at a time and open them starting with #1, telling the Easter story. This is a tradition of ours at Easter time.

#1 Small paper cup/Sacrament cup 

And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. Matthew 26:39

#2 Three dimes

Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,, And said unto them, what will you give me, and I will deliver him unto you?  And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.  Matthew 26:14-15

#3 Small rope or twine

When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:  And when they had bound him, they led him away and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.  Matthew 27: 1-2

#4 Soap chip

When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person:  see ye to it.  Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.  Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.  Matthew 27: 24-26 

#5 Red cloth

And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.  And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand:  and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews and they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.

#6 One small nail

And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.  And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.  Matthew 27: 31-32 And He was crucified… nailed to the cross.  (Press this nail into your hand … feel how it must have hurt.)

#7 Pair of dice

And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet… And sitting down they watch him there:  Matthew 27: 35-36

#8 Rocks or crushed stone

 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.  And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent:. . . Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.  Matthew 27: 50-51 & 54

#9 Strips of white cloth

Then Joseph, a rich man) went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.  Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.  And when Joseph had taken the body, the wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock.  Matthew 27: 57-60

#10 A round stone

And he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulcher, and departed.  Pilate said unto them (the chief priests and Pharisees), Ye have a watch; go your way, make it as sure as ye can.  So they went, and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.  Matthew 27: 60, 65-66

#11 Spices (bay leaf and clove)

And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary, the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.  And, behold, there was a great earthquake; for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.  And the angel . . . said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.  Mark 16:1, Matthew 28: 2 and 5

#12 Leave empty

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.  He is not here, for he is risen. Matthew 28: 5-6


Topic: Prayer

Song: A Prayer song p22 song teaches what actions to do during prayer

Lesson: I found a cute puzzle on Pinterest that shows what actions to do during prayer. Do the puzzle and show how to pray.



Topic: Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego
Song: Choose the right way p160 or I will be valiant p162
Lesson: I found this fun fiery furnace paper bag on Pinterest. Show the picture of these men in the fire. Teach that they were told to worship an idol which was bad to do and they refused to do it, and their punishment was to be thrown into a fire. People outside saw an extra person inside who looked like Jesus, and they were not hurt by the fire. Another way I taught this lesson was with a lit candle, I had the kids undivided attention. Show a picture of this scripture story.


Topic: Daniel and the lion’s den
Song: Follow the prophet p110 v8
Lesson: Show the picture of Daniel in the lion’s den. Teach that Daniel was told by his king not to pray but he know he needed to pray so he kept doing it, so the king threw him in the lion’s den. Since Daniel did the right thing and prayed Heavenly Father kept him safe from the lions. I found the craft below online. I didn't have paint, so ahead of time on yellow paper I drew a lion face, and cut out orange strips of paper for me and the kids to glue on the yellow paper to make a lion. My kids loved making these.


Topic: Anti-Nephi-Lehies burying their swords
Song: I will follow God’s plan p164 or Book of Mormon stories p118
Lesson: Teach that the Anti-Nephi-Lehies used to fight a lot, but when they were converted to the gospel and believed in Jesus they promised to never again kill anyone, not even in war, so they buried all their weapons. Make simple paper swords, dig a hole in the backyard and bury them. My little ones loved helping dig the hole and putting their swords in the ground. Days later my 4-year-old was still talking about how we buried our swords in the ground. Actions like these will help them (especially visual learners) remember scripture stories.




Topic: 2000 Stripling Warriors
Song: We’ll bring the world His truth p172
Lesson: Teach that 2000 teenage boys and the Nephites were the good guys and were fighting the Lamanites in a big battle. Their moms taught them all about Jesus and Heavenly Father. Their moms taught them to have faith and believe they would be safe. Helaman was their captain. They went into battle and won and all 2000 boys survived which was a huge miracle. Act this battle out with their moms teaching them to trust God, them saying goodbye to their families, then fighting with one kid on a toy horse (or something that could pretend to be a horse). My kids and former primary kids loved acting things out. Show a picture of this scripture story.


Topic: Mother’s Day
Song: Mother I love you p207 or I often go walking p202
Lesson: Have dad make this craft alone with kids for mom, or all together for grandmas or aunts who don’t have kids. Draw a vase on a piece of paper with a green vine, and cut out 3-5 flowers (or one big flower with big flower petals, and write on the petals). On the vase write “what we love about mom”/grandma/auntie em, and write what they love on the flowers and glue them on. I did this for my primary class one year on Mother’s Day.

 
Topic: Families
Song: Families can be together forever p188 or The family is of God
Lesson: I found this great printable on pinterest on what successful families are established on and how to do them (respect, love, compassion, work, fun). You could make this yourself with different colored paper; cut them out and get the kids to match color for color and talk about how they can do those things. They will enjoy being able to pick a paper. Show a picture of the Family Proclamation. If you don't already, find a place to hang this in your home.


Topic: First Vision
Song: The Sacred Grove p87 or This is my beloved Son p76 v3
Lesson: Show the picture of the First Vision and teach that Joseph Smith wanted to know which church to go to, and Heavenly Father and Jesus came to him and said to not join any of them but to start a new one, and that is the one we have today. The church we go to on Sundays is the one Heavenly Father told Joseph Smith to start. You could act this out: have someone be Joseph praying, then falling to the ground, while 2 people standing on chairs act like Heavenly Father and Jesus, telling Joseph who they are and not to join any churches but to start a new one. It was hysterical when we acted it out because my husband and 2-year-old were Heavenly Father and Jesus and they are wildly different heights.


Topic: Ammon defends the flocks of King Lamoni
Song: I hope they call me on a mission p169 or Follow the prophet Ammon verse that someone wrote: Ammon was a prophet, called to serve a king. Fearlessly he guarded the sheep with sword and sling. Lamoni thought that Ammon might a spirit be. Ammon replied, “No, I just want to teach thee.”
Lesson: Teach that Ammon goes on a mission to the kingdom of Lamoni where they capture him wondering why he is on their land. He says he wants to live there. He becomes a servant watching the flocks of sheep. Lamanites are stealing flocks from the king, Ammon defended them. He killed several with sling, rocks, and sword. He later taught King Lamoni and others the gospel. Show a picture of this. An idea kids will love is to teach this with puppets, even if you use socks for puppets.


Topic: Do things that invite the Spirit
Song: Choose the right way p160
Lesson: I found this cute gumball craft where you make a gumball machine, and cut out several gumballs on different colors of paper and you write things on the gumballs that invite the Holy Ghost or Spirit, then you put them on the gumball machine. Kids will love putting the gumball on. Talk about choices and the right things to do: being nice, sharing toys, going to church, reading scriptures, saying prayers, playing with others, going to the temple, etc.
 



Topic: Father’s Day/strengthen families
Song: Daddy’s Homecoming p210 or Fathers p209 or The family is of God v1-2
Lesson: Talk about fathers, grandpas, uncles and all they do for us. Talk about the importance of families and all of its members. Build a fort, play in it, knock it over, and rebuild it together. Teach that sometimes hard things will happen in families (someone gets sick, you have to move, people fight, someone dies and goes to heaven, etc) and you have to stick together to keep your family strong and rebuild.



Topic: Alma the younger
Song: Book of Mormon Stories p118 or Dare to do right p158
Lesson: Teach that Alma the younger used to make bad choices, being mean and saying bad things about church. He was walking on the road one day and an angel appeared to him and told him to stop being mean, and said his father was praying for him. He was passed out for 3 days. He learned about Jesus, repentance, and the gospel while he was passed out. When he woke up he said sorry for all the bad things he did, starting making good choices, later became a great missionary and prophet. Act this out or teach with puppets; Alma being mean, his father praying, an angel striking him down and teaching him the gospel, him later saying sorry and being a missionary and prophet.


Topic: 4th of July
Song: My Flag, My Flag p225 or “Give,” Said the Little Stream p236
Lesson: Make thank you cards for past and present military in your ward, family, community (I did this one year with the young women when I was a leader and the recipients were very grateful). Say pledge. Draw/paint a flag on a piece of paper.


Topic: David and Goliath
Song: A young man prepared p166 or I am like a star p163
Lesson: Teach that the Philistines were invading Israel. Goliath was a Philistine and he was super tall and wanted to fight someone. David was really small but he fought Goliath and hit him with a rock he shot from his sling, and he won because he was faithful and Heavenly Father helped him. We made a small paper roll with a picture of David we glued on, and a large paper roll with Goliath glued on and told the story. Another idea is to make paper rocks to throw at dad.
 



Topic: Jonah and the whale
Song: Follow the prophet v7
Lesson: Show a picture of Jonah. Teach that Jonah was a prophet who was commanded by Heavenly Father to go teach the people of Ninevah. He didn’t want to so he ran and tried to get away. He got on a boat and there was a huge storm. He is thrown overboard, and is swallowed by a whale. He was in the whale’s belly for 3 days. He repented for not listening to Heavenly Father and later went to teach the people of Ninevah. I found this craft on Pinterest: make a clothespin with a whale, when you open the clothespin the whale’s mouth opens and you put Jonah in it. If you make it you will have the kids undivided attention.
 



Topic: Pioneers
Song: Pioneer children sang as they walked p214 or The church of Jesus Christ p77
Lesson: Show the picture and teach the story of Mary and Caroline saving the Book of Commandments, and how they lived in a time of hardship where people didn’t like Mormons and they had to save the scriptures. You could act this out wearing church clothes and hiding from someone holding scriptures. Teach your kids that even though they are little they can do important things. 


Topic: Feeding the 5000
Song: Tell me the stories of Jesus p57 or I’m trying to be like Jesus p78
Lesson: This was fun with our kids. We put pieces of bread and goldfish crackers in a bowl, then a napkin on top so they couldn’t see, then more fish and bread on top. After they ate what was on top we talked about the miracle that Jesus did being able to feed the 5000 and removed the napkin and showed how now there is more fish and bread.


Topic: Good Samaritan
Song: I’ll walk with you p140
Lesson: There is a short animated video that tells this story (http://www.childrenandyouth.co.uk/videos/video-good-neighbour/). Teach that a man was hurt really bad and someone who was not his friend helped him, and that we should be nice to everyone and help everyone. Make stick puppets to tell story, including the first 2 men who didn’t help.


Topic: Temple
Song: I love to see the temple p95
Lesson: Make big footsteps and write on them things we need to do to get ready to go to the temple (read scriptures, say prayers, go to church, get baptized, etc). Put them on floor with a picture of the temple at the end. Have each family member step on each foot and say what it says each time, and tell them by the end they get to go to the temple. My daughter was less than 2 when we did this and she loved stepping on the feet. Even the littlest ones can be helped to participate in this.

 

Topic: Read scriptures
Song: Search, ponder, and pray p109
Lesson: Make water come down from your roof or somewhere. Walk under it without umbrella, then with one. Say you were protected from rain when you opened your umbrella. Teach that we need to open scriptures and read them to protect us from bad things of the world. If you aren’t already, make a goal and plan to read scriptures every day as a family.


Topic: Tithing
Song: Keep the commandments p146 or I want to give the Lord my tenth p150b
Lesson: Get 10 skittles or 10 suckers. Take one away and say this is how much Heavenly Father wants us to give back to Him. Say Heavenly Father has given us everything and this is how much He wants back. With candy out you will have the kids undivided attention. 


Topic: John baptizes Jesus
Song: Baptism p100
Lesson: Teach that everyone needs to get baptized to go to heaven. Jesus got baptized in the water, and we also need to. He was baptized by John the Baptist, and afterwards a bird (dove) appeared. Color a picture of Jesus’ baptism. (Show a picture of it)

Topic: Moses
Song: Follow the prophet p110 v5
Lesson: Teach when Moses was a baby his mom had to put him in a basket and give him away to keep him safe. When he was older he was a prophet and taught everyone about Jesus and how to make right choices. When my oldest was a sunbeam her teacher made this craft that she played with for weeks: you make what looks like a basket and cut a slit towards the top and have a paper baby you can put inside it. One of my kids must've chewed off part of his head.
 

Topic: Reverence
Song: Reverence is love p31 or Reverently, quietly p26
Lesson: Print and cut out body parts, put in a paper bag or cup and have a kid pick out one at a time, and show how each of those parts can be reverent and irreverent. One time we got some toys and showed them being reverent by sitting still, then moved their arms and legs and showed them being irreverent. Our kids really loved the toys activity. Days later my oldest grabbed a Minnie mouse toy and moved her legs around saying she wasn’t being reverent. Teach the kids why we need to be reverent at church, and during scripture reading and prayers.



Topic: My body is a temple
Song: The Lord gave me a temple p153
Lesson: Cut pictures of these things out on paper: hands washing, brushing hair, playing sports, eating fruits, sleeping. Put all the papers into a cup or something and have the kids pick them out one at a time, and talk about what these are and how they help our bodies. Teach that Heavenly Father gave us our bodies and he wants us to be healthy.


Topic: Holy Ghost
Song: The Holy Ghost p105 or Listen, listen p107
Lesson: One Sunday I cut out pieces to a paper puzzle I found online for my primary kids: Stop/avoid danger, keep the commandments, be comforted, choose the right. The middle piece said “Holy Ghost.” I had the kids put the puzzle together without the middle piece, then later showed them the piece saying the Holy Ghost helps them do all those things. Teach your kids that they can feel the Holy Ghost right now and he can help them with these things.
 


Topic: Baptism
Song: When I am baptized p103
Lesson: Use kit kats to show what we covenant and promise at baptism. To keep the commandments, always remember Him, and take His name upon us. Show pictures of your own baptism and any other family members baptisms. Teach that when they’re 8 they will get baptized.


Topic: Repentance
Song: Repentance p98 or “Saying I’m sorry” from Daniel Tiger
Lesson: This was done in sharing time one Sunday. The teacher cut 4 big circles out of paper and pretended they were rocks on water. She wrote each step of repentance on each “rock.” Feel sorry, ask forgiveness, right the wrong, don’t repeat the wrong. My kids loved walking over the rocks. Say what each rock says when each kid walks on it. Use an example from your life about repentance they will understand.
  

Topic: King Benjamin addresses his people
Song: Stand for the right p159 or Book of Mormon Stories p118
Lesson: Get a bunch of toys to sit on the ground like they’re listening to another toy sitting up higher. Teach what King Benjamin taught his people: to serve, be nice, about Jesus.
 

Topic: Prayer
Song: A child’s prayer p12
Lesson: Get out peanut butter and jelly jars. Write “we thank thee” on one and “we ask thee” on the other. Teach when you say prayers you need to thank for things and ask for things, not just one or the other. You wouldn’t want a sandwich with just peanut butter, so you shouldn’t just ask for things in prayers. I found this cool idea online.
 


Topic: Stranger danger
Song: I am a child of God p2
Lesson: I got a few ideas from various blogs. Tell the story of Little Red Riding Hood (if you don’t have the book google pictures of it to keep their attention). Teach that the wolf seemed nice at first, but then he was mean. Teach the definition of a stranger: "A stranger is a person you do not know. They can be dressed nice and have a really cool job. Or they can be dressed yucky and have no job at all. It doesn't matter. A stranger is always someone you do not know. If you have not met someone or you do not know their name, then that person is a stranger." What to Do: If a stranger tries to stop you and asks questions when you are alone or with friends, do NOT answer. Leave the area immediately. If you are in a public building, go where there are other people. If you are outside, go to a place where there are people. Always tell your parents, teachers, a police officer, or someone you trust what happened as soon as possible. Remember: When you are with your parents and a stranger says, "Hi, how are you" it's OK to answer. When you are in the checkout line at a grocery store with your parents or an adult and the cashier says, "What a pretty shirt you have on," or "Those are cute shoes," it's OK to answer politely because you are with your parents.  
Role play activities to do as a family:
Role Play:
You and your friend are at the park. A woman asks you if the two of you would like to go with her
to get some candy from her car. Is she a stranger? What should you do?
Answer:
She is a stranger. Shout NO! Do not go ANYWHERE with her, even though you are with a friend. Leave the area immediately. Go to a place where there are other people. Tell your mom or dad or whatever adult you are with what happened. Never go anywhere with a stranger no matter what he or she says or offers you.
Role Play:
A man who looks a lot like your grandfather tells you he is lost. He asks you to walk with him somewhere. Is he a stranger? What should you do?
Answer:
He is a stranger.  Do not go ANYWHERE with him. If there are other people around, you could ask someone else to help the man.  If no one else is around, stay away from the man. Tell him you are sorry, but you aren't allowed to do that. Adults ask other adults for help, not children.
Role Play:
A lady stops you and says, "Will you come with me and help me find my dog? I will give you a cookie.  I know my poor little dog is so scared." She starts to cry. Is she a stranger? What should you do?
Answer:
She is a stranger.  You should not go ANYWHERE with her. If other people are around, ask them to help her. This lady is not acting right. Most adults will not offer cookies to children they don’t know. They will ask other adults to help.
Role Play:
A man calls out and asks for your help. He looks like he is bleeding. Is he a stranger? What should you do?
Answer:
He is a stranger. Do not go close to him. He may be pretending. Call loudly for help. Get another adult to help.
Role Play:
Someone comes in your yard and asks how to get to the store. Is he a stranger? What should you do?
Answer:
He is a stranger. Don't go near him. Usually adults ask other adults for directions, not children.
Role Play:
You are shopping with your mother at Walmart. You wander off to the toy aisle.  A man in a store uniform comes up to you and says, "Hurry, your mom fell and broke her leg. The ambulance took her to the hospital.  I'll take you there." Is he a stranger?
Answer:
He is a stranger.  Do not go with him. How would he even know your mom? Yell loudly for help. It's best if you stay with your parents when shopping. If you do wander off alone, do not leave the store or go somewhere else in the store with a stranger.
DO NOT ever tell anyone your address or phone number except a police officer.
You’ll want to do this lesson many times.



Topic: Godhead
Song: 1st article of faith p122.
Lesson: Put these 3 phrases into different, blown up balloons. 1) We believe in God the Eternal Father, 2) and in His Son Jesus Christ, 3) and in the Holy Ghost. Pop the balloons to see what is said and put them in correct order. With balloons out you'll have their undivided attention.


Topic: Thanksgiving
Song: Children all over the world p16
Lesson: Teach the story of the ten lepers and how only one said thank you, and that we should always say thank you. You can act this out; have everyone act sick, one person acts like Jesus healing every one, and one healed person goes back to say thank you. Show the picture of this scripture story. Practice saying "thank you" during role play activities (for example, someone gives you a treat, someone helps you pick something up, someone calls you pretty/handsome, etc).


Topic: Thanksgiving
Song: Children all over the world p16
Lesson: On a paper print out or make a turkey and write things they’re thankful for on the feathers. Below is an example.

 

Topic: Christmas
Song: Away in a manger p42
Lesson: We have a little manger with a little baby Jesus, but you could use anything for a manger (basket, box) and put pieces of hay in it whenever someone does something nice (sharing a toy, giving a hug, making someone’s bed, saying a prayer for someone). Do this all month and your goal as a family is to have lots of hay in it by Christmas so baby Jesus can sleep in a comfortable manger with lots of hay.



Topic: Christmas
Song: Samuel tells of the baby Jesus p36
Lesson: I saw an idea like this on Pinterest. You make rice krispies, cut them out, and build a rice krispie wall with a toy standing on top of it pretending to be Samuel the Lamanite teaching the people that baby Jesus will be born. Pretend to shoot arrows at him. Rice krispies in view = kids undivided attention.


Topic: Christmas
Song: Stars were gleaming p37
Lesson: Print out the pictures like the ones below and hang them up somewhere. Print out these scriptures on separate pieces of paper. Pick one at a time, read them and match them with the appropriate picture. Helaman 14:5 star, Matt 2:1-2 wise men, Luke 2:16 Mary, Joseph, and babe, Luke 2:7 manger, Luke 2:8 shepherds, Luke 2: 9 (10-11) angel.


Topic: Christmas
Song: The nativity song p52 or Picture a Christmas p50
Lesson: Print out this coloring book (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4We-CLww5mfVHZlZlBHVVBZMmc/view). One for each kid. Go through the whole story and color it. This is something easy you can print out for other friends, primary kids, and neighbors. If time, this is a good night to make treats to give to neighbors and sing Christmas songs (and you can bring along blank copies of this book for their kids/grandkids to color). 


Topic: Family history
Song: Family history – I am doing it p94 or Families can be together forever p188
Lesson: Go through pictures of grandparents, great-grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles and talk about the importance of families. If you haven’t seen someone in a while make a plan to visit them, or make pictures to mail, or call.

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