I had a friend reach out and ask if I could help come up with a couple teaching ideas for Children All Over the World. I was happy to spend a little time thinking about this song and I’m excited to share this activity and another one to follow.
Children All Over the World
Body Rhythm Activity
How to Play:
Sing through Children All Over the World (flip chart here) once, before introducing this activity.
Introduce the pattern for the clap and roll section for the first 4 lines of the song. Sing through this section once with you showing the actions and letting the children pick them up as they go. Then repeat from the beginning with everyone following along.
Pause and demonstrate the next part of the pattern – stopping on the different thank you’s in each language. Sing through this section twice, then start from the beginning with all the actions so far.
Now, show them the next section of thank you’s you will roll you arms on the “extra” words and stomp on the thank you’s. Repeat and then start again from the beginning building on the pattern.
Finally, the last section you’ll repeat like at the beginning of the song with clapping one line then rolling your arms on the next, repeat that sequence, then spin at the end of the song on “ev’ry one.”
Start from the beginning and follow the pattern all the way through. Then, try it again with the children leading the actions up front and repeat as many times as you’d like.
Children All Over the World
Body Rhythm Motions:
Clap on each note – Clap both hands together on each note for the line, like this: “All / o- / ver / the / world / at / the / end / of / day”
Roll arms – Hold one arm direction over the other arm from wrist to elbow, like you are about to pray. Then roll both arms in a clockwise direction around each other. You can speed on the rolling on “thank you” or other keywords.
Stomps – Tap or stomp one foot with the melody for the foreign language “thank you’s”
Spin – Spin one big circle on the final two words.
Children All Over the World Body Rhythm Pattern:
- Clap on each note – All over the world at the end of day,
- Roll arms – Heav’nly Father’s children kneel down and pray,
- Clap on each note – Each saying thank you in his own special way,
- Roll arms – Saying thank you, thank you in his own special way.
- Stomp right foot – “Gracias.” (grah-see-ahs)
- Stomp left foot – “Malo.” (mah-loh)
- Stomp right, left, right – “Wir danken dir.” (veer don-ken deer)
- Clap on each note – All over the world tender voices hear.
- Roll arms and stomp right foot – Some say “tak,” (tahk)
- Roll arms and stomp left foot – others “merci,” (mare-see)
- Stomp right and left then roll arms – “Kansha shimasu,” (kahn-shah shee-mah-sue) we thank thee.
- Clap on each note – Our Heavenly Father hears them;
- Roll arms – He understands each tongue.
- Clap on each note – Our Heav’nly Father knows them;
- Roll arms – He loves them, loves them,
- Spin – ev’ry one.
Extension Activities:
- Hold up a sign and only do that one action during the song, or only sing the part that matches the sign.
- Add additional actions to up the challenge! Such as sway and roll arms or clap and stand up.
- Sing at double speed! Then, try singing with different dynamics for each action.
For another fun rhythm pattern and movement activity, head over to see this I Will Follow God’s Plan Body Rhythm Pattern.
Children All Over the World Body Rhythm Printable Helps
This free printable includes a 1-page pattern poster that can help you follow along with the pattern or post it up on the board for the kids to reference. You’ll also find a 1-page with each of the 4 actions separate so you can show the action card for any of the extension activities or to help them transition.
You’ll find bonus full page action sign cards included in the INSTANT Primary Singing membership in the June Book of Mormon packet – perfect to teach with the Summer Olympics!
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You don’t want to miss our Children All Over the World Flip Chart! Go grab that free printable now!
What other fun ways could you extend or adapt this body rhythm pattern to add more fun in singing time?
