This cute and spunky song is a great one to slip into your teaching this September as part of your New Testament Primary Songs list! This cute When We’re Helping Dance Scarves pattern will have them learning the words with ease while having fun and since it’s a short and catchy song they’ll likely learn the whole song in one try!
**See all When We’re Helping Singing Time Ideas here**
When We’re Helping Dance Scarves
Sing through When We’re Helping (flip chart here) song once, before introducing this activity. It’s a great way to transition from another activity or help the children refocus and be ready for a new challenge.
Show the children the 4 dance scarf motions for the 1st verse. There’s just one movement per line and the song goes pretty quick so they’ll need to be ready!
Now, pass out the dance scarves and sing and try the action for the first verse. You’ll how the dance scarf down low to the ground like you’re helping by sweeping the lfoor. Sing through the line 2-3 times, until the kids are comfortable with the words and the motion.
Sing just the 2nd line of the song and show the motion. This action is like your leading with the time signature ¾ for this song. Start at the top and draw straight down, then to the right, then back up to the top. Sing through the line again a couple times until they have that and the pattern.
Now, sing through the first two lines together once to help them put the two lines together in order.
Next, introduce the 3rd action to hold the dance scarf in your arms like a baby and rock the baby – another way to help mom!
The last action is to draw a big heart in the air. Again you’ll sing the final line while practicing your action a few times. Add all 4 lines together and perform your scarf actions like a dance routine!
Invite a few children to come up to the front of the room to help lead the actions.
You can also add on the 2nd verse and keep going building on the song.
Dance Scarves Actions:
Sweep the Floor – Hold the dance scarf low to the ground and brush it back and forth like you are sweeping.
Conduct Music – Lead the ¾ time signature by starting at the top and drawing a line straight down, then to the right, and bring your dance scarf back up to the top.
Rock the Baby – Hold your scarf like a baby and rock the scarf to sleep.
Draw a Heart – Draw a big heart in the air with your dance scarf.
Extension Activities:
- Divide the room into 2 or 4 groups and divvy up the actions – and who sings!
- Sing like a wave – the first class stands and sing their line and does their action, then quickly sits down for the next class to stand up and sing their line with actions! Continue through all 4 lines.
- Ask the children for other ways they help their mom or dad around the home and come up with fun actions to match their ways to help! You can fill in the 1st and 3rd action with different patterns following what answers you receive.
For another fun similar activity, head over to see this I Know My Father Lives Dance Scarves singing time activity for more ideas on using this manipulative in Primary!
When We’re Helping Dance Scarves Printable Actions Chart
This free in-post printable includes an easy to follow 1-page guide to the dance scarves actions. It’s totally optional to print, but can be a great quick sheet for you to remember the actions or to post on the board for the kids that might need it to reference.
Join INSTANT Primary Singing for extended printables including actions for the 2nd verse and large full page cards! You’ll find these bonus files included when the song When We’re Helping is the featured song of the month.
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For another fun and engaging way to teach this song, head over to see this When We’re Helping Pick a Picture lesson plan!
What other fun ways will you use this Dance Scardves singing time activity in your Primary room?
