***Note: Please read the post called “10 Lesson Helps” found under “Primary Lesson Listings” before reviewing any of my Sunbeam lesson plan ideas.

“It is often easier to understand a gospel principle when it is expressed as part of a scriptural story. Stories engage people’s interest and show how gospel principles apply in everyday life. In addition, stories are often easier to remember than abstract statements of principles” Teaching, No Greater Call, p. 55 .

Bring a photo of your own family or the one you grew up in, 4 of the stick puppets from last week’s lesson, pictures 1-13, 1-2, a baby doll, a piece of yarn or string and fruit loops for each child.

Remember last week where we showed pictures of your families? We learned how Heavenly Father loves us by putting us in families. Here is my family. (Show your family photo and tell about each family member and what they mean to you).

Some families have brothers or sisters or both. Some only have one child. Who has brothers? Who has sisters? What are their names? Are they older or younger than you? (FYI: This week happened to follow the 4th of July so I asked them specifically what they did for the Fourth of July with their brothers and sisters.)

Sing the following song to the tune “Where is Thumbkin?”

Begin by putting both hands behind back.

Where is daddy? (Bring one fist around to the front with the thumb up)

Where is daddy? (Bring the other fist around to the front with the thumb up)

Here I am (use a deep voice and wiggle the thumb)

Here I am (use a deep voice and wiggle the thumb)

How are you today sir?

Very well I thank you.

Run away (Put one hand back behind back)

Run away (Put one hand back behind back)

 

Repeat this sequence for each finger and family member:

Pointer=mommy

Sister=middle finger

Brother=ring finger

Baby=pinkie

 

Tell the story in your own words of Joseph Smith’s leg illness and operation. Highlight the love his brother Hyrum showed while Joseph was sick.  Use picture 1-13

How did Hyrum show Joseph that he loved him? Have any of you helped take care of your brother or sister when they were sick or hurt?

Stand up and sing “When We’re Helping” (Children’s Songbook, p. 198) and use the popsicle stick puppets from last week’s lesson while you sing the family member’s names: daddy, mommy, sister and brother. Repeat and let the children hold different puppets.

What are some ways we help our brother or sister?

I’m going to tell you some ways we might help. If they are good ideas, make a “thumbs up.” If they are bad  ideas, make a “thumbs down” sign.

Share your new toy with your sister.

Help your sister get a band aid when she gets a scratch.

Take your brother’s ball without asking him first.

Tell your sister, “You can’t play with us.”

Let your brother jump on the trampoline with you.

Help your sister pick up her toys.

When your brother gets hurt, you ask him if you can help.

Give your sister a hug and tell her you love her.

Sing “Fun to Do” (Children’s Songbook, p 253) with new phrases like “Rocking a baby is fun to do,” or “Hugging my sister” or “Sharing with my brother.”  Act out the actions while you sing.

Show picture 1-2 of Moses in the Bulrushes.  Tell about Miriam watched over Moses to be sure he was safe.

We’re going to play a game and pretend to be Miriam with the baby Moses. I have a pretend baby here and I’ll choose one of you to be Miriam. That person will go outside our class while we hide Moses. When Miriam comes in, they will try to find Moses hidden in the bulrushes. Repeat.

Review the importance of brothers and sisters helping each other.  Share a personal example of when you’ve seen an act of love and service between siblings or have experienced it yourself.

One thing we have learned today is that if she share with our brothers or sisters, we show them we love them.  We are giving them a good example so they will share with us. I will help you make something that you can share with your siblings.

Make a fruit loop (or some other round candy with a middle hole) necklace or bracelet with the children.

NOTE: I have found that 3-year-old children sometimes have difficulty stringing on the candies. If you use a stiff string it works better. If you put a piece of scotch tape tightly around one end of the yarn (like the end of a shoelace), it helps it go through easier. Also, I like to tape down the back end of the string to a chair and have the children sit on the ground in front, using their chair seat for a table (unless you have a large table they can all sit around). By taping down the end that they aren’t stringing through the candy, the candies don’t fall off the back end.