If I Listen With My Heart: Younger Children Sway and Freeze

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 (swish to the right on I)

• I had (swish to the left on been)

• been a (full circle on little)

• little child

• when (swish to the left on Jesus)

• Jesus (swish to the right on lived)

• lived on (full circle on earth)

• earth  (Freeze!)

Ask:  "Is your leg pointed the same direction mine is?  Are your hands both pointing this way?"

Sing again:

• I (swish on would)

• have (swish on liked)

• liked to (full circle on walk)

• walk with him (Freeze!)

• State:  "great stopping!"

• Sing again:

• and (swish on listen)

• listen (swish on to)

• to his (full circle on words)

• But (swish on as)

• I (swish on search)

• the (full circle on scriptures, I can)

• (swish on hear) His

• (swish on words) of

• (full circle on peace).  

"Freeze!  Are your hands point this way?"

Continue singing as you sway/swish and full circle to the end of the song. 

The children feel the beat in their bodies.  They are engaged and feeling the excitement of movement to the song.  The words and melody are slipping into the back door of the children's memories as they participate. Walk to the back of the room.  Have the children turn around to face you.  Do the activity again.  (The new direction gives some variety to the movements.)