In this fun The Hearts of the Children Magic Crayon singing time activity you’ll draw a series of simple shapes in the air that coordinate with the song lyrics. This is a wonderful and engaging lesson plan to help you teach the words of this song to your Primary childrne.
One of the Primary Songs for Old Testament Come Follow Me this year is this unique song. If you haven’t taught it before, this year is a great time to teach The Hearts of the Children Primary Song (archives)!
The Hearts of the Children Magic Crayon
Sing through The Hearts of the Children once before introducing this activity.
Post the Magic Crayon poster up on the board and demonstrate the actions for the first line as you sing and draw each of the shapes in the air. Encourage the children to follow along as you do so.
Then sing the line of the song together with the first 3 magic crayon shapes. “The hearts of the children turn to their fathers” as you draw a heart, then a downward line that stairsteps downward like the height of children getting shorter and shorter, and then finally a big circle to represent “turn.”
Demonstrate the next set of shapes in the air as you sing the next line of the song, “Malachi prophesied the hearts shall turn” as you draw a “M” then a squiggly line to represent talking, followed by repeating the heart shape and a big circle.
Start from the beginning of the song and sing through the first two lines all together.
Now introduce the 3rd line actions as you sing “Elijah fulfilled the prophecy” you’ll draw a big letter “E” for Elijah, then a checkmark for “fulfilled” and finally repeat the squiggly line for prophecy.
Sing through this far into the song with all of your actions all together.
Now, introduce your final line and last 3 actions as you sing “And fam’lies can be sealed for eternity.” You’ll draw a smiley face for “families”, a plus sign for “sealed” and then a figure out to represent eternity.
Sing through the song as you complete all the magic crayon actions together.
Ask your Primary children did they notice that some of the actions repeat? Why might they repeat? Explain that the first line of the song is explaining the belief that the hearts will turn, just like Malachi prophesied in the 2nd line of the song. In the 3rd verse, we learn that the prophecy was fulfilled!
Extension Activities:
- Divide the room into two groups, invite the children to alternate singing lines of the song. One group will sing lines 1 and 3 and the other group will sing lines 2 and 4. You can have the opposite groups draw the shapes for an additional challenge!
- Add an action in place of a couple of the magic crayon drawings – such as a spin in place of the big circle, a quick stand and sit for M and E, or pat your heat for the heart shape.
For another fun similar activity, head over to see this Covered Wagons Magic Crayon singing time activity!
The Hearts of the Children Magic Crayon Printable Song Helps
This free in-post printable includes a 1-page pattern guide.
Join INSTANT Primary Singing for extended printables including a larger 2-page and 4-page pattern guide and black and white printables. You’ll find these bonus files included when The Hearts of the Children 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!
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For another engaging and fun lesson plan, you won’t want to miss this Holy Places Dance Scarves activity!
What other fun ways will you use this magic crayon singing time activity in your Primary room?
