You’re going to have so much fun following along with this Kindness Begins with me Partner Rhythms that not only adds movement and fun, but focuses on kindness by sharing your instruments with a neighbor!
Are you teaching Kindness Begins with Me this year? It’s a great one to teach as part of the New Testament 2024 Primary songs.
**See all Kindness Begins with Me Singing Time Ideas**
Kindness Begins with Me Partner Rhythms
Sing through Kindness Begins with Me (flip chart here) once, before introducing this partner rhythm activity!
Then, you’ll bring in your choice of two manipulatives. I recommend rhythm sticks and dance scarves, but you can also use egg shakers for the first one and ribbon wands for the second pattern.
This pattern includes 2 different actions. The first is to tap once on the fast sequence of words through the song. Specifically, these lines: “I want to be kind,” “For that is right,” “So I say to myself,” and “with me.”
The second pattern is to swish the dance scarf (or ribbon wand) right and then left on the two slower words from each line. Specifically, on these words: “to ev’ryone,” “you see,” “Remember this,” “Kindness begins.”
You can introduce one pattern at a time by demonstrating the pattern while everyone sings along with you through the song again. Ask the children what they noticed. When did you tap your rhythm sticks? When did you pause?
Sing through the song again and show the second pattern and again ask the children what they noticed.
Pass out instruments and manipulatives with every other child having the alternate so they can swap.
Sing through the song together and follow the pattern together. Ask how it went. Did you get the pattern? Invite a child to come up front to help you lead one of the two patterns so the children can follow their leader!
After a few times with their first manipulative, have the children swap. Can they remember the other pattern and stay on time with the pattern for their new part?
Sing through Kindness Begins with Me a few more times with the pattern.
Extension Activities:
- Try using this pattern at two times speed! Tap twice on each word and swish right and left on each word! Can they keep up with the sequence?
- Try continuing your pattern through the entire verse, instead of the split parts. Tap on every word of the song and swish right and left through each line of the song!
- Ask the children to come up with a different action to do for each pattern. You might tap the rhythm stick on your knee or cross high and then low alternating, for example. And for ribbon wands you might swish up and down instead of right to left or swish in a big arch.
For another fun similar activity, head over to see this I’ll Walk with You Rhythm Partners singing time activity!
Printable Song Helps
This free in-post printable includes a 1-page pattern guide and a pattern help chart to remind you what each of the icons mean on the pattern page.
Join INSTANT Primary Singing for extended printables including a 2-page pattern guide, a pattern with lyrics, and black and white printables. You’ll find these bonus files included when Kindness Begins with Me is the featured song of the month.
To access the free in-post printables for this post, you’ll just need to create a free account or login with the Grow.me tool. Then, confirm by email and refresh the page and ALL my free printables will automatically unlock in every post!
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Head over next to see this fun Kindness Begins with Me Hide & Gift lesson plan!
What other fun ways will you use this singing time activity in your Primary room?
