In all my years of singing Christmas songs, I can’t believe I let this sweet song, Sleep Little Jesus slip past me! Although this song can be found in the Children’s Songbook, it’s likely that your primary children haven’t heard it before!
If you’re looking for a simple Christmas song to teach this year, this one definitely fits the bill! It’s a sweet song that can be paired with any of our other favorite Christmas songs to teach!
For a fun way to review this song in primary, use this Sleep Little Jesus Sand Blocks activity that is perfect for both Junior and Senior primary children!
Sleep Little Jesus Sand Blocks
Did you know there are dozens of instruments that you can make from everyday objects? Here at Primary Singing, we love taking ordinary objects and transforming them into fun singing time manipulatives that bring the music to life (more living music ideas)!
Sand blocks are a perfect example of these types of instruments! If you don’t already have a set of sand blocks for primary, you can make a set using cheap pool noodles. In fact, you can check out this post here for detailed instructions for how to make homemade sand blocks!
I’ve created a simple pattern with rhythms to pair with each line of this Christmas song! You can find a full outline of the pattern, as well as a printable pattern with words and symbols to use along with this activity later in this post.
At the beginning of singing time, start by singing through the first verse of Sleep Little Jesus once (flip chart here).
Then, pass out sand blocks as you begin demonstrating a few of the rhythms used in this pattern. As sand blocks are being distributed, have the kids try some of these actions with you. You could have the kids swish their sand blocks together or try a few claps.
Once everyone has a set of 2 sand blocks, post the sand blocks pattern on the board and demonstrate the actions for the first two lines by swishing your sand blocks together as you sing “Sleep, little,” and clapping on “Je – sus.” Repeat this same pattern for the phrase, “Lord of the earth.”
I find that demonstrating the action first and then having the kids repeat it works best. This way, they get to hear the line twice!
Move on to the next line by tapping your sand blocks above your head along with the rhythm of the phrase, “An – gels are tel – ling the news of thy birth.”
Continue working through the sand blocks pattern one line at a time. Once you reach the end of the song, try it all together! Start at the beginning and follow along with the pattern for the full verse.
Sand Blocks Pattern:
Swish – Clap – Clap (“Sleep little Je – sus”)
Swish – Clap (“Lord of the earth”)
Tap Overhead (“An – gels are tell – ing the news of thy birth”)
Pat Lap (“Shepherds will come to thee”)
Draw Heart (“Bringing thee love”)
Star Clap (“Bright shines the star in heaven above”)
*For this action, tap your sand blocks together in the shape of a big star. You’ll do one tap for each point of the star as you sing the last line of the song.
Extension Activities:
- Have one side of the room do the sand block actions and sing the first two lines and have the other side of the room do the actions for the last two lines. Then, switch! Or, alternate sides for each line!
- Instead of using the pattern, choose key words in the song to focus on, like “Jesus,” “shepherds,” “angels,” “love,” “star.” As you sing through the song, swish or tap on these words. This requires close listening!
- Have small groups work together to create their own pattern to teach to the class! Assign each group 1-2 lines of the song and have them create a simple rhythm pattern for those lines. Come together and have each group share what they came up with!
For another fun similar activity, head over to see this Come Follow Me Sand Blocks singing time activity!
Sleep Little Jesus Sand Blocks Printable Rhythm Pattern
This free in-post printable includes a single-page pattern with each action. Simply place this action guide up on the board or in front of you to remind you of the actions!
Join INSTANT Primary Singing for extended printables including a 1-page and 2-page pattern guide with symbols for the 1st and 2nd verse. You’ll find these bonus files included when Sleep Little Jesus is the 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.
Keep checking back for more ways to review this adorable Christmas song in singing time! You can find all our ideas for Sleep Little Jesus here!
Do you have a favorite manipulative to bring to singing time? We’d love to hear your awesome ideas!
