All ages will have fun with this Seek the Lord Early Body Rhythms singing time activity. I’ve included a variety of patterns to build up the challenge or to fit your unique Primary’s kiddos ages and overall class size.
Whichever body rhythm pattern(s) you choose, you’ll get in tons of repetition singing Seek the Lord Early (archives) over and over which is great for memorization, but in a fun way!
**22 Seek the Lord Early Singing Time Ideas Here**
Seek the Lord Early Body Rhythms
How to Play:
Sing through Seek the Lord Early (flip chart) once before introducing this fun body rhythm activity.
Start the pattern simply by tapping on your knees for each word of the song. The kids will pick it up and start doing it with you the first time through without needing directions!
Then, demonstrate the added piece to the rhythm by singing through a line without giving instructions. You’ll pat each hand on the knee in front of it for all words except those that talk about ourselves or about the Lord.
When you get to one of those special words, you’ll cross your hands to the opposite knee, then back again to continue for the rest of the words, like this:
I’ll / seek / the / Lord / early / while / in / my / youth
* * / _ _ / _ _ / * * / _ _ / _ _ / _ _ / * * / _ _ (Stars for switching knees)
Did you notice a pattern? What did you see? Take answers. If they didn’t quite get it, say watch again, here goes! When they guess that you switch hands when it talks about us and the Lord (I’ll / Lord / my in the example), then say let’s see if that’s right and try the line again. That fits the pattern! Can you try it with me?
*Note, for the second verse, I did not include “prophets” or “they” as one of the keywords to switch on. This can challenge them if they were thinking it is all the words talking about a person. You can add tap your head (or toes) for those 2 words if you want to up the challenge!
You can post the keyword 1-page poster to help the kids that may need a visual to follow. Each dot is a normal word + tap.
Additional Seek the Lord Early Body Rhythm Patterns Simple to Advanced!
Simple Version: Make the pattern really easy for the first time through or for Junior Primary by only switching hands on I’ll/me/my words first, then adding the second set when they’re ready for it.
Advanced Challenge #1 – Add 2 claps to the last 2 words (regardless of what the word was) in place of pats on the knee
Advanced Challenge #2 – Stand/Sit each time you get to one of the keywords instead of switching hands. That will get in lots of up and down movement!
Extension Activities:
- Let the kids help you come up with a fun action to do instead of tapping your knees. What slight modification can you add for the switch keywords? An example might be pat and fist bump or tap and stomp.
- Have one half of the room sing only the written words and the other half sing only the dot words. Then switch! Make it a competition and you’ll get those backrow boys joining in!
- Have one side stomp on all the written words and the other side clap on all the dot words. Everyone sings!
For another really fun body rhythm, head over to see our Baptism Body Rhythm that uses Head, shoulders, knees, and toes!
Seek the Lord Early Body Rhythms Demonstration Video
If you’re a visual learner, you’ll definitely want to check out the demonstration video for this activity! In this video, I explain all 4 versions of this body rhythm pattern as included in the printable below. I’ll also provide some additional tips for trying this activity in singing time. Keep it simple or make it challenging – it’s up to you!
–> Seek the Lord Early Body Rhythms Demo Video <–
Seek the Lord Early Body Rhythms Printable Song Help Posters & Lesson Plan
The free printable for this post includes a 2-page pattern guide for the first body rhythm pattern.
This activity has extended printables available including 3 additional pattern guides and challenge body rhythms to try. You’ll find these bonus printables included in the INSTANT Primary Singing membership when Seek the Lord Early is a featured song of the month.
Get more out of singing time with the INSTANT Primary Singing membership that includes printable lesson plans, tons of extended printables and an ad-free experience for each featured song of the month, or get immediate access to the entire song list for the year!
Learn more about INSTANT Primary Singing membership options here!
Have questions or need more help, see this FAQ page here.
Head over next to this cute and fun Find His Words idea for teaching Seek the Lord Early.
What other fun body rhythm patterns could you use for teaching Seek the Lord Early? I can’t wait to hear how this went with your Primary and any fun adaption’s you made.
