Monday, February 23, 2009

I Can Learn to Listen and Obey---(reposted from 4/16/2007)

I am sorry that I am reposting an old lesson today, but my daughter really needs this lesson again and since I really need to give this lesson tonight I figured that I would just repost for those who hadn't seen it yet. Thanks-Natalie

Family Home Evening Lesson
I Can Learn to Listen and Obey

Opening Song: “Listen, Listen” (Children’s Song Book # 107)

Opening Prayer: Daddy

Lesson: Mommy

I Can Learn to Listen and Obey

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

Story: Use the story of the “2000 Young Warriors” or your gospel art kit picture 313 and read the story on the back.

Activity: Play a game that requires the children to listen and obey directions from the leader like “Simon Says”, or sing “Do as I’m Doing” (Children’s Song Book # 278) or some other following game. Discuss the difference between following these kinds of directions and following the directions of your parents, prophets or leaders.

Closing Song: “Quickly I’ll Obey” (Children’s Song Book # 197)

Closing Prayer: Mommy

Treat: Wacky Cake
Given by: Mom

Sift together in a 9x13 baking pan:
3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
4 Tbs. cocoa
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt

Make three holes in the dry ingredient mixture and add:
1st hole- ¾ cup oil
2nd hole- 2 Tbs. vinegar
3rd hole- 2 tsp. vanilla

Pour 2 cups cold water over the whole thing and mix well with a fork until well mixed.

Bake at 350º for 40 minutes.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Showing Love

Family Home Evening Lesson
“Showing Love”

Opening Song: "A Happy Family" (Children's Songbook, 198a) 

Opening Prayer: Child

Lesson: Daddy

With Valentines Day coming this weekend, another lesson on Love couldn't hurt! Most of this lesson comes from the "I Will Love Others" and "I Will Love my Family" lessons in the new "Behold your Little Ones Manual."  It is a GREAT resource!

Display a picture of the good Samaritan. You can use GAPK #218. Open the Bible and tell the children that you are going to share a story Jesus told about loving others. Using simple language, tell the story of the good Samaritan. Below is an example:

  • One day there was a man who was lying on the ground (point to the injured man in the picture). He was hurt. Two men walked by. They saw him, but they did not help. A third man came (point to the good Samaritan in the picture). He saw the man lying on the ground, and he helped him. He showed love.

Sing or say the words to “Jesus Said Love Everyone” (Children’s Songbook, 61) and do the actions below. Invite the children to join you.

Jesus said love everyone; (spread arms out wide) 
Treat them kindly too.
When your heart is filled with love, (put hand over heart) 
Others will love you. (hug self) 

Gather each child's favorite stuffed animal, doll or toy.  Ask each child to give their toy a hug and a kiss.  Ask each child to tell the toy that they love it.  Smile at the toy and offer to share a pretend toy with it.  Explain that these are ways that we show love.  Next have children show love to someone in the room.  Explain that it is ok to hug and kiss our family members, but with friends we should just hug (we have issues with kissing friends...).

Print and cut out these family figures and place them in a container. Have child pull one figure out of the container and identify what member of the family the figure is.  Suggest a way they can show love for that family member (by picking up toys, sharing, smiling, and so on). Invite them to pretend to do the action. Repeat this activity with each family figure.

Add new words to the song “Fun to Do” (Children’s Songbook, 253) to teach the children some ways they can show love for their families. For example, say to the children, “Let’s show how we can love Sister.” Sing “Sharing a toy is fun to do” and do simple actions. Other words you can use are, “Picking up toys is fun to do,” “Cleaning the room is fun to do,” “Giving a smile is fun to do,” “Helping my dad is fun to do,” and so on.

Suggested Activity:

Help children make paper hearts.  You can just cut them out of construction paper and help them decorate the hearts. When the hearts are done, read the following examples (or create some of your own), and ask, “Does this show love?” After each example, have the children hold up their paper hearts and say, “Love.”

When you help clean up.
When you say “please” and “thank you.”
When you share your toy.
When you help someone who is hurt.

You can also make extra hearts and throughout the week you can award a child with a heart when you see them showing love. You can tape them on the fridge to display.

Color this picture from lds.org.

You can also make these Valentine Finger Puppets.


Closing Song: "Love One Another" (Children's Songbook, 136)

Closing Prayer: Mommy

Treat: 
Raspberry Hearts from Family Fun
or Conversation Hearts!

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Love

Family Home Evening Lesson
“Love”

Opening Song: "Love One Another" (Children's SongBook #136)

Opening Prayer: Child

Lesson: Mommy

With Valentines Day around the corner, now is the perfect time to be talking about Love

Cut out a large red heart and stick to floor. Have each family member stand on heart one at a time. Have the other family members say what they love about the person on the heart.

How can we have better love at home?

Jesus said we must love everyone. How can we love everyone?

In the week leading up to Valentines Day what can we do for others to show that we love them? (Make a list of things you may do as a family to show love to others)

Suggested Activity:
I love these Lollipop heart flowers from FamilyFun.com. You could make a bunch to give to neighbours, friends, family.

Make an extended family Photo Heart Garland at Sycamore Stirrings, to hang around your home

Paper Heart Animals found at The Crafty Crow

Closing Song: " Jesus said Love Everyone" (Children's SongBook # 61)

Closing Prayer: Daddy

Treat:

Healthy Hearts made from watermelon and oranges
Sweet Heart Rice Krispy Treats

Sunday, January 18, 2009

How to Show Reverence

Family Home Evening Lesson
“How to Show Reverence”

Opening Song: “Father, I Will Reverent Be” Children's Songbook #29

Opening Prayer: Child

Lesson: Mommy

How to Show Reverence:

Ask your children what Reverence is. Explain that reverence is being still and quiet to show Heavenly Father that we love him.

Print this picture of body parts. Ask children how we can use each body part to show reverence.
Have children demonstrate. (Example: feet- "do we stomp our feet?"[stomp,stomp] "or do we walk quietly?" [step quietly or tip toe]. mouth- "do we talk loudly?" [use loud voice] "or do we talk quietly?" [whisper]. eyes & ears- "do we look all around the room when we are praying?" [exaggerate looking everywhere] "or do we close our eyes and listen with our ears during prayer?". arms- "do we clap our hands and touch other people with our hands?" [make busy hands] or "do we fold our arms when are walking and sitting?"[fold arms])

Practicing Reverence: Have children line up and practice quietly walking around the house with folded arms. Have them think of ways they can show reverence for the church, such as putting litter in trash (have trash on floor for them to practice), opening and shutting classroom doors quietly, whispering in the chapel when they need to talk, walking (not running). Have them practice sitting down quietly and raising their hands. Also have children practice thinking of Jesus for 30 seconds or longer (depending on age)-- it might help to show them a picture of Him.

Show picture of mouse: I had a small copy that I cut out for each of my kids. [This was my 4 year old's FAVORITE part of the lesson- she carried her mouse all over the place afterward.]
“What If … ?,” by DaLee C. James, Friend, Sep 1996, 22

If a mouse would ride to church
In your pocket on this day,
What might he tell his family
That he heard you do or say?
Would he tell them you were reverent,
And you listened to your teacher?
Or would he say he’d never seen
Such a noisy creature?
Would he tell them how he loved the songs
You sang so sweet and clear?
Or would he groan from all the talking
That entered in his ear?
Could he take a little snooze
As you walked nice and tall?
Or would he scream with panic
As you galloped down the hall?
Would the little mouse get seasick
From the tipping of your chair?
Or would he feel safe and cozy
As you quietly sat there?
Would the chapel be a reverent place?
The sacrament the same?
Now tell me, would the little mouse
Be really glad he came?
If a mouse would ride to church
In your pocket on this day,
What might he tell his family
That he heard you do or say?

We also have the book "I'm Reverent When..." by Amy Mullins. This would be good to read through with the kids for this lesson as well.

Suggested Activity:
Make this EASY mouse Finger puppet. Or print a picture of a mouse for them to put in their pockets (or tape to their dress) for church next Sunday.

Print this picture about reverent hands and have children cut out the pictures and make a little reverence booklet, gluing the pictures onto strips of paper that you staple together.

Make a Reverence Crown. Use this crown in the future by giving it to children who are being especially reverent during family prayer, scripture study or FHE.

Closing Song: “Reverently, Quietly” Children's Songbook #26

Closing Prayer: Daddy

Treat:
Strawberry Mice

1. Take large strawberries and cut them in half. Put it on the plate the flat side down.


2. Take mini chocolate chip for little eyes and nose and glue it to the strawberry using a little bit of icing.


3. For ears you can use slivered almonds.


4. Red licorice lace works perfect for the tail.

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

New Year

Family Home Evening Lesson
“New Year and Renewal”

Opening Song: "The World is so Big " Children's Songbook #235

Opening Prayer: Child

Lesson: Mommy

A New Year:

A few days ago we celebrated the start of a new year - 2009. Tonight we will talk more about how special this is to us, that The Lord has given us another year to do more and become better people

Go here to Sofia's Primary Ideas to see an idea about how we can not run/ or jog forever we need to rest, eat, drink. The New Year is a great time to think about the coming year. Often we are on holidays and have some time to think and reflect. However the Lord has also provided a way for us to do this more often. We do not need to wait a whole year to renew ourselves. Each week when we take the sacrament we can start fresh and new in the sight of God.

Sit down and think of one goal for the family (or if it isnt too much, one goal for each child) to do in the coming year. {This year our family is going to kneel for family prayer both morning and night}

Talk about goals that will be reached this year for each family member

Birthdays
Baptism
School
Kindergarten
New class in Primary

If you haven’t already started the new year with a Fathers/Priesthood blessing for all the children/everyone in the family, do so tonight. This makes a wonderful family tradition to start each new year.


Suggested Activity:
Have a calendar ready and mark off special days in the year - ask for childrens input

In Belgium on New Years children save money to buy decorated paper for writing holiday greetings to parents and god parents. On New Year's morning the children read what they have written to their parents and god parents. Write some New Year Letters to Grandparents, family or just for yourselves. Write your loves and wishes and achievements and keep them somewhere special for the year.

Closing Song: "My Heavenly Father Loves Me" Children's Songbook #228

Closing Prayer: Daddy

Treat:
Round/ring foods are typically eaten in many European countries at New Year. It symbolises a New Year finished, eternal round of time, A new beginning. The Dutch eat donuts on New year, Italians eat round honey balls, Mexico and Spain eat 12 round grapes

Prepare some "round" foods to eat and enjoy with the family.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

The Symbols of Christmas

Opening Song: We Wish you a Merry Christmas

Opening Prayer
: Child

Lesson
: Daddy

The Symbols of Christmas (taken from this site: Luv's Creations)
Preparation- gather these items: Christmas tree, a star, a red ornament, a bell, a candle (or christmas lights), a candy cane, a wreath with a red bow, Santa Claus picture. You can pick and choose and only do the ones you want. Paraphrase the sections based on the ages of your children.

Christmas tree- Green is the second color of Christmas. The evergreen with its unchanging color represents the hope of eternal life in Jesus. Its needles point heavenward as a reminder that man's thoughts should turn heavenward as well.

A Star-The star was the heavenly sign of promise. God promised a Savior for the world and the star was the sign of the fulfillment of that promise of the night that Jesus Christ was born. God always fulfills His promises and that the wise will still seek Him.

Red-the first color of Christmas. It is the color of the life giving blood that flows through our veins. It is the symbol of God's greatest gift. Christ gave His life and shed his blood for them that they might have eternal life.

Bells-Just as lost sheep are guided to safety by the sound of the bell, it continues to ring today for all to be guided to the fold. Follow the true Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep.

A candle- The glow of the candle represents how man can show his thanks for the gift of God's Son that Christmas Eve long ago. Follow in Christ's footsteps... to go about doing good. Let your light shine before men that all may see it and glorify God. This is what is symbolized when the twinkling lights shine on the tree like hundreds of bright, shining candles, each of them representing one of God's precious children, their light shining for all to see.

A candy cane- White to symbolize the virgin birth and sinless nature of Jesus. The shape 'J' to represent the precious name of Jesus who came to earth as our Savior. It also represents the crook of the Good Shepherd which he uses to reach down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who, like sheep, have gone astray. The original candy cane had three small red stripes which are the stripes of the scourging Jesus received by which we are healed, and a large red stripe that represents the shed blood of Jesus so that we can have eternal life.

A wreath tied with a bright red bow-The bow reminds us of the bond of perfection which is love. The wreath embodies all the good things about Christmas for those with eyes to see and hearts to understand. It contains the colors of red and green and the heaven turned needles of the evergreen. The bow tells the story of good will towards all and its color reminds us of Christ's sacrifice. Even the wreath's very shape is symbolic, representing eternity and the eternal nature of Christ's love. It is a circle without beginning and without end.

Santa Claus- Represents the spirit of family fun and the joy of giving and receiving.

Activity:
Make this Baby Jesus
or this angel ornament
or this Christmas tree

Closing Song
: Christmas Bells, Children's Songbook #54

Prayer: Mommy

Treat:
Candy Cane Cookies
(Make dough ahead of time. If you kids like Play Doh, they'll love making these!)
1cup sugar
1cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2cup milk
1teaspoon vanilla
1teaspoon peppermint extract (I prefer almond extract)
1egg
3 1/2cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1teaspoon baking powder
1/4teaspoon salt
1/2teaspoon red food color
2tablespoons finely crushed peppermint candies
2tablespoons sugar

Stir together 1 cup sugar, the butter, milk, vanilla, peppermint (or almond) extract and egg in large bowl. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt. Divide dough in half. Stir food color into 1 half. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours. (I didn't need to refrigerate it)
Heat oven to 375ºF.
Stir together peppermint candy and 2 tablespoon sugar; set aside.
For each candy cane, shape 1 rounded teaspoon dough from each half into 4-inch rope by rolling back and forth on floured surface. Place 1 red and white rope side by side; press together lightly and twist. Place on ungreased cookie sheet; curve top of cookie down to form handle of cane.
Bake 9 to 12 minutes or until set and very light brown. Immediately sprinkle candy mixture over cookies. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes

Friday, December 5, 2008

Keeping Christ in Christmas

Family Home Evening Lesson
“Keeping Christ in Christmas”

Opening Song: “Have a Very Merry Christmas” (Children’s Song Book # 51)

Opening Prayer: Child

Lesson: Mommy

Keeping Christ in Christmas:

Ask your children what Christmas is: (let them answer without prompting, ie. Presents, Santa, etc.)

Read: 3 Ne. 14:12 Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them, for this is the law and the prophets.

Print out and read “A Sharing Christmas”

Talk about the true meaning of Christmas. Show picture 201 and 202 from the gospel art kit.

Talk about your family traditions that keep Christ in Christmas.

Talk about some things that you can do as a family that will bring the True Spirit of Christmas into your homes.

Read the words to “He Sent His Son” (Children’s Song Book # 34)

Sing: “He Sent His Son” (Children’s Song Book # 34)

Suggested Activity:
Give each member of the family a few strips of paper. Have each person choose 2-5 things that they can give of themselves before Christmas that can then be given as gifts to Jesus (ie. Make their bed so Mommy doesn’t have to, or pick up toys for their brother or sister, make Christmas cards for their friends, grandparents or neighbors, etc). Make a Christ Ornament for your Christmas tree by mounting a small picture of Christ on some nice paper and if possible put a little pocket on the back so that once you have finished doing the service gifts you can place the strip of paper in the pocket and give that gift to Christ. Keep extra strips of paper so if they finish the ones they have already made they can make more. After opening your presents on Christmas morning take your Christ ornament down and read aloud all the gifts that your family has given to Christ this season.

Closing Song: “Away in a Manger” (Children’s Song Book # 42)

Closing Prayer: Daddy

Treat: Rolo Pretzel Turtles
These are an easy and very kid friendly treat to make that you can use as one of your gifts to Christ. Make a few batches of these and find someone in your ward or neighborhood that your family can make these sweet treats for. They really are good and easy!!!! I made them with my 2 ½ year old last Christmas for her teacher and they were great!!!