Christmas Gift Ideas for Primary

It's that time of year again...when Christmas music fills the air, our thoughts are turned to others, and we remember the baby born in the manger.

This is the season of giving, and that means giving gifts. :)
I've had a few of you email me asking for gift ideas for the Primary children. So, here are a few of my ideas and a few from my amazing readers.


Since this year we focused on the Scriptures, I thought you might want to focus on that when choosing your gifts.


Gift ideas:
1. In a cute Christmas gift bag have a Scripture Marker and a Bookmark. On a card add your testimony (or each testimony from the Primary Presidency). Laminate the Testimony card, so the children can keep it in their scriptures. Then add some yummy Christmas candy. You could use the Hershey's Treasure candy and add a card that says 'Treasure the Scriptures'.


2. Pillowcase with a Scripture Rock
You could even personalize each pillow case by painting names or using Iron-on products (you can usually find the Iron-on transfer paper at any office store or use your craft cutter if you have one). Put the child's name on the pillow or a short phrase about the scriptures:
"I know the Scriptures are true."
"Read Every Day!"
"Make sure your scriptures are read, before you lay down your head."


Along with the pillow case add their very own 'Scripture Rock', along with a 'Scripture Rock' poem.
(It's usually a 'Prayer' rock, but just change the name to 'Scripture Rock' to go along with the theme.)


3. Remember these cute Bottlecap Pins? These would be great for Primary Children. I have the pink one pinned on my Scripture Bag and I love it!
 
They also have necklaces and tie tacks. Just visit Jen & Amber's etsy shop and look around. If you have a large quantity that you would like to order they work with you to give you a great price.
Click here to visit the Just Be Shop




Gift Ideas from You:
Here are some great ideas from you, my amazing readers. Thanks for sharing!


1. The past year for primary children's birthdays we gave them a scripture marking pencil and bookmark. So for Christmas we decided to complete the set and give them a pocket sized Book of Mormon with the Primary Presidency's testimony inside the front cover. Seemed to fit this year's theme well.

2. We are giving our children a Mason/Ball jar lid that has a cut out die scalloped edge circle that fits right on the front inside of the outside edge. This is then modge podged and a vinly cut out "CTR" placed on this. We chose red paper and white vinyl. Modge podge this again. On the back either write the name of the child and the year or do it on an Avery label. Attach a string or ribbon with hot glue and voila' you have a little Christmas ornament that introduces the 2012 theme over and over again year after year. Now, if you have a big budget (which we don't!) you could hot glue heavy circle magnets on the back and this could then be put on a refrigerator and remind them daily to CTR. We are excited to give these to our children this year. 

3. This idea came from Andria Hansen. She said:

We put together books for the kids for Christmas. The front page has the 2012 theme, scripture, and CTR logo. Each time you open a page, there's the month's theme, scripture and words to the song for that month. We're going to tie a candy cane on it with ribbon.

Our president also had a great idea for encouraging the children to bring their scriptures each week, too. Next year we're going to have a temple box, and everyone who brings their scriptures gets to put a penny in the box. At the end of the year we will donate the money to the General Temple Patron Assistance Fund that President Monson mentioned last conference. The fund helps people who would otherwise never be able to go to the temple to go one time. We are getting a temple in our town next fall, so we're really excited to focus on temples next year, along with CTR. We are asking the people in the ward to donate their spare change for this project. 

What ideas do you have? Leave a comment or send me an email sharing your idea.

If I receive any other ideas I'll be sure to post them on here. And if I come up with anything else I'll do the same. :)

Alright, I think that's it. Have a great day!!

Jesus Christ was born: 2nd Week Sharing Time Idea for December

Sharing Time Idea from the 2011 Primary Outline

ENCOURAGE UNDERSTANDING (singing a song and drawing pictures): Sing together the first verse of "The Nativity Song" (CS, 52-53).  Divide the children into four groups, and assign each group one of the remaining verses (2-5).  Ask the children to draw pictures to go with their verse.  Sing the whole song, and have the children hold up their pictures as they come to their part in the song.

Sharing Time Ideas from Little LDS Ideas

Sorry this is kind of late. I've been busy putting together the program for our Ward Christmas party. I'll share it when I'm done. :)
Here are some ideas I had to use for this week's Sharing Time. 


Nativity Sharing Time: I've used this idea for a Sharing Time before and the children always enjoy putting the nativity together. You will need a nativity (you can also use a picture of one, there's a great one in this month's Friend).
The children will be putting the nativity together piece by piece while reading the story of Jesus' birth.
Have the stable set up and begin reading the story. As you read about each person/animal have a child come to the front and find that piece of the Nativity and place it where they would like. You could also hand out each piece and as you read their part have them come to the front and add their piece. This may help them to listen very closely so they hear their part. :)


For Sr. Primary you could have scripture references on each piece. Hand out each piece (you could also number each one). Then begin by having the first child read his/her scripture. When they're done have them come to the front and place their piece where they would like.


Nativity Match: I found some really cute Nativity cards from Green Jell-O with Carrots (love the name, hehe) that I thought would be great for Sharing Time. It's a matching game with Nativity cards. You have to purchase them, but they're only $2.99! Here's what I was thinking:

Have the memory/match cards layed out on a table face-down. As you read the story of the birth of Jesus have the children listen for certain people/animals/items in the story.

When you say 'Wisemen' invite a child to the front and have him/her turn over 2 cards to try to find the 2 wisemen cards. Have children come up until they have found the match.

Play until you have read the story and all matches are found.

If you don't want to play as you read, then read the story first and then play the Nativity Match game. Have the names of each person/animals, etc. in a bucket (or use actual characters from a nativity set), and have a child come to the front and choose from the bucket. Whatever is chosen out of the bucket that will be the card they have to find.

example: If Mary is picked then have the child flip over 2 cards. Invite children up until both Mary cards have been flipped over.

Click Here to view the Nativity Cards from Green Jell-O with Carrots

Nativity Bingo: Another cute game I found on Green Jell-O with Carrots. Instead of playing the match game have the children play Bingo. Read the story and every time they hear a name that is found on their card have them place a Peppermint, M&M, etc. on their Bingo card. When someone has 5 in a row have them shout 'Christmas!'

Click Here to view the Bingo cards from Jell-O with Carrots

That's all I have for today. Have a great week and a great Sharing Time. :)

Prophets prophesied about the birth of Jesus Christ: 1st week Sharing Time Idea for December

Sharing Time Idea from the 2011 Primary Outline

ENCOURAGE UNDERSTANDING (reading scriptures and role-playing): Divide the children into five groups.  Give each group one of the following scriptures and some props or a simple costume to respresent the corresponding prophet:

 Isaiah 7:14, 9:6 (ISAIAH)

 1 Nephi 11:14-21 (NEPHI)

 Mosiah 3:5, 8 (KING BENJAMIN)

 Alma 7:9-10 (ALMA)

Helaman 14:2-6 (SAMUEL) Invite each group to read and discuss what the prophet said about Christ's birth.  Have one child from each group use the props or costume to represent the prophet and tell the other children which prophet he or she is representing and to read or tell what that prophet has said about Jesus' birth.  Sing, "He sent His Son" (CS, 34-35) or "Samuel tells of baby Jesus" (CS, 36).

Sharing Time Ideas from Little LDS Ideas

Sorry I've been M.I.A. for the last couple weeks. I had a Sharing Time idea to post for last week, but never got a chance to post it.

I hope all of you in the U.S. had a wonderful Thanksgiving. My family went to Utah for Thanksgiving and spent it with my Sister's family and my Dad. We had an amazing time eating and relaxing. :)

I just have a couple quick ideas for you today. Hope you like them. :)

Idea #1:This idea goes along with the idea in the outline, but with an added twist.

You will need some helpers (adults or some primary children) to dress up as the Prophets above. You will have a wrapped present for each of the Prophets with their name inside. 

A child will come to the front and choose a present and then unwrap it to reveal the name of the Prophet. The 'Prophet' will then come into the Primary Room and share the scripture/message with the children. You will then discuss what the scripture means.

Idea #2: If you don't want to have people dress up, here is an alternative idea. Have five gifts with the scriptures and the name of the Prophet inside. On a board have 5 pictures that have to do with each of the prophets/scriptures. Invite a child up and have them pick a gift, then have them unwrap the gift. Read the scripture aloud and then have them match the name of the prophet with the picture it belongs to.

A sister on Sugardoodle shared pictures that she was going to use for her sharing time. Here is what she said, 

"The images I used were as follows: for king Benjamin I did a picture of Christ raising the girl from the dead (mighty miracles), for alma I did a picture of Jerusalem (He was born at jerusalem), for nephi I did a picture of Mary with baby Jesus (He was born of Mary), for Isaiah I typed up all the names for Christ that are listed in the scripture (wonderful, counselor...), for Samuel I did a picture of the wise men with the star (a new star will appear)."

Discuss the scripture after each one has been read and matched.

**You could also to a present pass. Have the pianist play a song and pass the gift around. When the music stops that child gets to unwrap the present.

Alright, those are my ideas. I hope they help. :) I've had a few people ask me about Christmas presents for the children, so be thinking of what you are doing or have done. I'll post about my ideas and ask for yours.

Have a great week and a great Sharing Time!!

Reverence During the Sacrament Helps Me to Remember Jesus Christ: 2nd Week Sharing Time Idea for November 2011

Sharing Time Ideas from 2011 Primary Outline

ENCOURAGE UNDERSTANDING AND APPLICATION(learning about the sacrament): Invite the bishop or branch president and a few Aaronic Priesthood holders to teach the children about the sacrament.  If possible, you could ask them to take the children into the chapel and teach them what the sacrament symbolizes and show them the sacrament table, the place where they kneel to offer the prayer, and the cloth used to cover the sacrament.  Invite another Aaronic Priesthood holder to explain what he does to pass the sacrament each week to the congregation and why this is a sacred privilege.  Ask the children what the priesthood bearers do that shows respect for God when they bless the sacrament (kneel to pray, cover the sacrament with with a white cloth, dress and act in a reverent manner).  Invite the children to share what they can do to show respect for Jesus Christ during the administration of the sacrament. 

Sharing Time Ideas from Little LDS Ideas

I really like the idea from the outline, but in case the idea above doesn't work for your Primary here is another idea that I had.

Before sharing time ask for 2 sacrament trays (one for the bread and one for the water).

For the first part of this activity you can use either the water or bread tray. I thought of possibly placing questions or statements about the sacrament inside the sacrament tray. You could pass the tray around (make sure they're very reverent) and have the children pick out slips of paper and then read them aloud. 

You could have the pianist play a song and when the music stops have that child pick a paper from the Sacrament tray.

Place questions, scriptures, facts, etc. about the Sacrament: explain what the water and bread represent, the Sacrament prayer references, what covenants we renew when we partake of the Sacrament, etc.

For the second part of this activity use the other tray that wasn't used for the first activity. For this activity you will be help the children to know that being reverent during Sacrament helps us remember Jesus Christ.

You will need several stories along with pictures of Christ. Number each picture and then on small pieces of paper write each number. Cut them into small pieces and then crumple them up and place them in the Sacrament tray. Using the same concept as above pass the tray around and when it stops have the child pick a number. Share the story of Christ with the children and then hang the picture up on a chalkboard/bulletin board.

Explain that during the Sacrament we can think about these stories of Jesus Christ and it will help us to remember Him. 

You could also have different ways the children could be reverent during the Sacrament: read your scriptures, read the Sacrament hymn, look at pictures of Christ, etc.

I also thought it would be great to have the children (especially Jr. Primary) make their very own 'Sacrament Book'. Here is something I did for my children. 

We bought a packet of Temple pictures, pictures of Christ, and the 'Scripture Hero' pictures. Then I laminated each one and added a strip of cardstock to the top (I did this so I could punch holes). Once I had each one laminated and the holes were punched I made a little cover out of cardstock and then tied them together with some ribbon.

My children enjoy looking at the pictures, and it helps them to focus on Christ during the Sacrament.

But you could also print out several Coloring pages from 'The Friend'  and have the children color each one and then tie them together with ribbon to make their very own Sacrament Book.

I put together a few pictures I found on LDS.org (I did this really quick) that you could use for your Sharing Time. If you want to add some more just click HERE to view all the coloring pages.

I just copied the picture and then shrunk it down to fit 4 to a page. You could do 2 to a page to make a larger book.

Be sure to print each picture on a heavy type of paper or glue each picture to a piece of colored cardstock. If you back each picture with a piece of cardstock then you can punch the holes in the cardstock instead of the actual picture. Then just use some ribbon or brads to put the book together.

If you don't have time to make a book during your Sharing Time, have the children take home a 'Sacrament Book Kit'. Give them the pictures and the ribbon and some instructions and have the children do it at home as a family.

Click Here to view my Sacrament Book coloring pages

OK, there's my idea. I hope it can help you out. Have a great week & a great Sharing Time!

A Time for Change

Maybe some of you have already guessed what this is about just by the title of this post...change. Yep, I guess it's that time.

Two weeks ago I received a new calling as the 2nd Counselor in Relief Society. I was completely shocked! I am happy for the change, but will miss Primary so much. I served in Primary for 3 1/2 years, but the time really flew by. I wondered when we would be released, thinking that that would be a nice change, but the day I found out I wanted to cry. I am excited to serve the women in our Ward, but am a little nervous. Everyone has told me 'You're going to be in charge of activities, you'll do great!' But activities for children is alot different than activities for grown women, they aren't as easily as amused. haha

Everyone has also been asking me, 'So, what are you going to do with your blog?' So here's my plan...

I am going to TRY (and that's a big try) to still post sharing time ideas each week. Now, they probably won't be typed up as a Sharing Time outline like I did in the past, but I will definitely share ideas. Every once in awhile I may type up an outline or a game to share that you will be able to just print out.

Along with my Sharing Time ideas I plan on sharing Relief Society lessons, hand-outs, & activity ideas.

I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to serve in the Primary. I am so grateful for the wonderful Primary President and 1st Counselor I served with, what wonderful women they are. I learned so much, and my testimony grew. I will miss those sweet Primary children and their sweet spirits.

I wanted to share something with all of you. One of my favorite talks from this last General Conference was 'Teaching after the Manner of the Spirit' by Matthew O. Richardson.

Before this conference I prayed and had a few questions in mind. One of my questions had to do with becoming a better teacher. When I heard this talk I knew this was my answer. I thought about the many times I taught Sharing Time and whether I was really teaching by the Spirit.

"While we are all teachers, we must fully realize that it is the Holy Ghost who is the real teacher and witness of all truth. Those who do not fully understand this either try to take over for the Holy Ghost and do everything themselves, politely invite the Spirit to be with them, but only in a supporting role, or believe they are turning all their teaching over to the Spirit when, in truth, the are actually just 'winging it.' All parents, leaders, and teachers have the responsibility to teach 'by the Spirit'. They should not teach 'in front of the Spirit' or 'behind the Spirit' but 'by the Spirit' so the Spirit can teach the truth unrestrained."

"With the current conditions of the world, we desperately need real learning and teaching in our homes, meetings, and gospel classes. Your quest to improve may seem overwhelming at times. Please do not become discouraged with your progress....You can parent, lead, and teach after the manner of the workings of the Spirit. I know you can do this. I testify you can do this, and lives will change."

I wanted to share this with you because I may share ideas with all of you, but only YOU can know what you should teach the children. I know many times I took over and taught 'in front' of the Spirit, but I want to change that. I want to teach in a way that those I teach can feel the Spirit, and grow. As we prepare our lessons let us remember to listen to the promptings. By doing this you can't go wrong.

I am so grateful for all of you wonderful women who visit my blog, and leave me such sweet comments. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it and how much they brighten my day. I am so grateful for this wonderful Gospel. I am so grateful for the Holy Ghost and the inspiration/promptings I have received. I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who knows me better than I know myself :) and for giving me these amazing opportunities to serve.

I hope you didn't mind my babbling, but I wanted to let you know and tell you Thanks! Have a great week everyone & a great Sharing Time.

Thank you!

(I am going to try to share some ideas tonight or tomorrow)

Reverence is love and respect for God: 1st Week Sharing Time Idea for November

IDENTIFY THE DOCTRINE (seeing a picture and playing a game): Show a picture of a child praying, and explain that the child is showing love and respect for God.  Tell the children that you are thinking of a nine-letter word that means love and respect for God.  Draw nine blanks on the board, one for each letter in the word reverence, and invite the children to guess letters.  As they guess correct letters, write them in the appropriate blanks.  You may want to have an older child help you.  For younger children, show the picture and ask they how they know the child is being reverent.  Have the children say together, "Reverence is love and respect for God." 

ENCOURAGE UNDERSTANDING (reading a scripture and singing a song): Ask the children to open their scriptures and read John 14:15.  (If the children memorized this verse last year, you may want to ask them to recite it.)  Ask the children how we show our love for Jesus Christ.  Sing "Reverence is Love" (CS, 31).  Ask the children to put their hand on their heart each time they hear the word "reverence" or "reverent".

ENCOURAGE APPLICATION (discussing reverence): Divide the children into small groups, and have them discuss ways they can show reverence for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in one of the following situations: when they are at church, when they pray, and when they are at home or with friends.  Younger children could draw pictures of what they could do.  Have some of the children share their ideas with the whole group.  Encourage them to share their ideas with their families at home.

Sharing Time Ideas from Little LDS Ideas

I know I am really late posting ideas for this week. I was thinking about ideas and had a game planned, and then I thought 'The lesson is on Reverence, so that means we should probably do a reverent Sharing Time'. Right? Having a fun, rowdy game would probably defeat the purpose of teaching the children the importance of reverence. :) 

I really like the idea that is given in the outline, but I found a few ideas that I also liked, so I thought I would share them.

I saw this idea and thought it would be great for this week:

#1 Reverent Tour:"Take the younger children on a tour of the meetinghouse. Have them think of ways they can show reverence for it, such as by putting litter in the wastebasket, taking good care of the grounds, opening and shutting classroom doors quietly, whispering in the chapel when they need to talk, walking (not running) in the halls." (From Oct. 1992 'Friend' magazine)

#2 Reverent Search: I think the children will really enjoy the 'Identify Doctrine' section from the outline (because what kid doesn't like hangman). But it's always hard to play these types of games for Jr. Primary since most of them don't read. So, I thought you could write each letter of 'Reverence' on a piece of paper, but place a number up in the corner of each page (example: R-1; E-2; V-3; E-4, etc). On a chalkboard have 9 squares labeled #1-9 (this is where the papers with each letter will go). 

Hide the pages around the room, underneath chairs, or just set them face-down on a table and have the children 'reverently' find them. Have the children place the letter in the appropriate numbered box. Once all the letters have been found read the word aloud.

To make it a little more fun you could have the person finding the letter wear special 'Reverent Glasses' or hat. Have them fold their arms as they search for the letters.

#3 Reverence Puzzle: Get a picture of a child sitting reverently or praying. Cut the picture into several pieces. On each piece have a way we can show reverence, a scripture about reverence, or a song about reverence. Hide the puzzle pieces around the room and have the children find the puzzle pieces. As they find the puzzle pieces have them put the puzzle together.

#4  I just saw this idea on Sugardoodle and thought it was a great idea for Jr. Primary (I'm sure Sr. Primary would love it too. )

 "The Family Home Evening Resource book has excellent lessons on Reverence. Borrowing from that, I am going to talk to the kids about the Savior's appearance to the Nephites in Bountiful, specifically pointing out the following verses: 3 Nephi 11:5, 12 - 17. I will ask the kids how they would feel and how they would act if the Savior were to come to our primary that day. Then explain that when we show respect and love for God, we are being reverent, which invites His Spirit to be with us always. Then I will have the kids choose potato head parts out of brown paper sacks that spell the word REVERENCE. I will ask them to explain how we can use that body part to show reverence. Then they will put the parts on a pumpkin (since it's November)"

What a great idea. Thanks Krista for Sharing. :)

#5 Reverent Jars: In this month's Friend there is an idea for a Reverence Jar. Such a simple idea, but you can use it several different ways. The idea in the Friend is probably directed more toward families to use for FHE. For the idea you will have a jar and strips of paper with different ways we can be reverent while at church. You are to place the strips of paper inside your 'Reverence Jar' and pick one out each Sunday and work at that specific task.

Examples:

Think about Jesus Christ during Sacrament

Speak quietly at church. Don't run or yell.

Be kind to others.

Great idea for FHE!

Click Here to view this idea from The Friend.

But here are a couple ideas using the 'Reverence Jar' idea:

-Have 2 jars, one labeled 'Reverence Jar' and the other could have a frowny face or 'Irreverent'. On pieces of paper, balls, or some other kind of object, write different scenarios that we might be reverent and irreverent. 

Invite a child to come to the front and choose a paper/ball and read it aloud. Then have them place it either in the 'Reverence Jar' or the 'Irreverent Jar'.

-Have 3 containers/jars labeled 'At Church', 'When I Pray', and 'At Home or With Friends'. Once again have different scenarios that have to do with showing reverence at each of the above places/actions. Have a child choose one and read it aloud. Then have them decide if that is a way we can show reverence at Church, when we pray, or while at home or with friends.

You could even have a sad bucket where all the irreverent scenarios go.

OK. I think that's it for me. Have a wonderful week and a great Sharing Time.