Songs with hand motions?

TrustingmyLord · Jul 2, 2006

Hello!

I help with Childrens Church at my church and I am looking to do some songs with the children with hand motions. Does anyone have any ideas how to get started? I suppose I could make up my own hand motions/dance, but I was hoping someone might know of a website or some books to help.

Thanks!

Aceybee · Jul 2, 2006

It might not be quite what you are looking for, but you could try sign language... I've done a course in it, and have ended up using some of it with my church's kids..
Apart from that, it depends on what songs you are using.. we always either used songs that came with actions or we got together as a group and made up some..

Justin The Baptist · Jul 2, 2006

Your best bet is to take songs the children like, and come up with your own motions that seem logical for the song. Often times simple sign language will suffice for parts of the song that would otherwise be difficult to "motion out."

kaalee · Jul 5, 2006

There is a series of books that have all kinds of songs that have hand motions, called "Piggyback Songs". If you look at your local library or do a search on Amazon, you will find several that would work for a childrens ministry. One is specifically titled, "Piggyback Songs of Praise". There is also a "Wee Sing" series that has some Sunday School songs that have hand motions in them. The Piggyback series has a lot of songs that people have put to well-known tunes and a lot of them are geared toward preschoolers. You might prefer the Wee Sing series if you are working with grade schoolers.

epy · Jul 5, 2006

I could make a list of songs that I know have motions and I could then describe them to you, but I don't know that you are looking for that kind of thing. In the event that would be helpful, let me know.

On a different note, I once saw a Sunday School lesson done with a song. There was a particular sripture passage that was repeated in the song. The scripture passage was simple/not complicated. The scripture was read and discussed with a few questions. Then, they did some stretching. After that, groups were assigned. Each group came up with motions to demonstrate a phrase. They practiced having the groups go in the order that it was in the song. After doing that a few times, the music was turned on in the background. It was a dance! But that wasn't discovered until the end.

TrustingmyLord · Jul 5, 2006

I have seen a couple of sign language sites and they were ok, but alot of the words and signs they had were a bit odd, didnt seem like it would work well in a song, but I'll keep looking.

kaalee, Thanks for the book suggestion, hopefully I can find the ones you mentioned. Its so hard to look for if you dont know the titles.

I could make a list of songs that I know have motions and I could then describe them to you, but I don't know that you are looking for that kind of thing. In the event that would be helpful, let me know.

Hmm, would that be too much trouble? I wonder, how hard is it to describe? Maybe you could send me a list of songs, then I could choose a couple? If you dont mind, you can PM me and we can talk more about it.

The lesson done with the song sounds absolutely brilliant! As much as I like that idea, what I would really be doing is have them practice just one song for about a month (or however long it takes) and then they would perform it in front of the church during regular service. Then we would move on to a new song.

Also, I have a new question. Is this something that all the kids should do, or should it be offered to the ones who are interested? Most all of the kids love this sort of thing, but there is one girl who comes, she is very shy and refuses to participate in this type of thing, so I was just wondering if I should offer this to ones who agree. But if its only the one girl, maybe she can either sit out, or it may encourage her to participate, I dont know. Any ideas here? Have any of you done much of this? If so, do you have any tips or advice?

Thanks to all!

epy · Jul 6, 2006

About the girl, find something for her to do that is productive and within her comfort zone. Our children's groups have a couple kids with mental disabilities. They can't do what most can. However, they usually enjoy participating. They can't be expected to sing or do motions like everyone else, but they like being part of it. Perhaps she could hold cue cards? or help with props? Would it bother you if she stands there as part of the group but does not sing or do the motions?

Emmaleuk · Jul 6, 2006

I know quite a number of action songs. Maybe you could get them used to the idea by using simple songs such as
"our God is a great big God"
"Great great brill brill"
"Who's the king of the jungle" etc etc
and teaching them really simple but fun actions to go along with the song. My sunday school class have grown to love to dance and sing. I dont FORCE them to join in, but I ask everyone to at least stand up and I find that even the shy ones will join in after a while when they realise that I look even more silly than they do!!

TrustingmyLord · Jul 6, 2006

Thanks to everyone for all the replies.

I guess I need to point out that our kids range in age from 5 to 12. So I would need something thats not too complicated for the smaller ones, yet not too "childish" for the older ones. I am not quite sure how that will work.

So newer praise type songs would be good, as long as they are not too "wordy" for the 5 yr olds. LOL

About the girl, find something for her to do that is productive and within her comfort zone. Our children's groups have a couple kids with mental disabilities. They can't do what most can. However, they usually enjoy participating. They can't be expected to sing or do motions like everyone else, but they like being part of it. Perhaps she could hold cue cards? or help with props? Would it bother you if she stands there as part of the group but does not sing or do the motions?

First off, theres nothing wrong with her, secondly, she wont, wont, wont participate. She is, well, maybe a little spoiled, comes from a great family, but her self esteem is awful. She doesnt want to embarass herself maybe? Once during craft she colored out of the lines... barely, then she threw the colors down in frustration and started crying.

It wouldnt bother ME if she just stood there, but it bothers her. Last time we tried a song she hid in the back, off to the side. Tried to be invisible.

Thanks again for all the great tips, if anyone has any more, or knows how difficult or easy it will be to figure something out with the varied ages, let me know!

Emmaleuk · Jul 6, 2006

TrustingmyLord said:
Thanks to everyone for all the replies.

I guess I need to point out that our kids range in age from 5 to 12. So I would need something thats not too complicated for the smaller ones, yet not too "childish" for the older ones. I am not quite sure how that will work.

So newer praise type songs would be good, as long as they are not too "wordy" for the 5 yr olds. LOL

First off, theres nothing wrong with her, secondly, she wont, wont, wont participate. She is, well, maybe a little spoiled, comes from a great family, but her self esteem is awful. She doesnt want to embarass herself maybe? Once during craft she colored out of the lines... barely, then she threw the colors down in frustration and started crying.

It wouldnt bother ME if she just stood there, but it bothers her. Last time we tried a song she hid in the back, off to the side. Tried to be invisible.

Thanks again for all the great tips, if anyone has any more, or knows how difficult or easy it will be to figure something out with the varied ages, let me know!

if she wants to hide....let her stand at the back...let her hide behind others if she feels better doing this. Or let her sit in her seat and join in with no one watching her..... lol

kaalee · Jul 6, 2006

I don't think you have to worry too much about the praise songs being too difficult for the 5 year olds. It is amazing how fast a kid that age can catch on to the words of a song if they hear it often enough. Just think how quick a preschooler can learn the words of The Alphabet Song (or the Barney theme song -- UGH!!!). They are like little sponges when it comes to remembering things that interest them. When you put the motions to it, even if they can't remember the words, they will enjoy participating to their level and the rest will come in time. I think the same can be said of the little girl that is shy. Just let her know that she can stand in the back and do whatever she feels she is able to do. Be sure to encourage her a lot when you see her participate no matter how little it might be. (Could it be that she has been overly criticized about how she does things at home that has torn down her self-confidence?)

harroun · Jul 7, 2006

Try a search for Jana Alayra. Her DVD's are fabulous! They are great for all ages, with great hand motions!

Also Uncharted Waters is a group that does Christian Sports Camps, and their music and hand motions are amazing! The kids of all ages at our church loved doing them! On their website is info on how to order the DVD with the songs and hand motions, as well as the CD.

wendy41899 · Jul 8, 2006

Are you looking for free resources or maybe ones you can purchase?

I can suggestion somewhere to look for ones to purchase. Group Publishing is a good one and they have a dvd that you play and it has the songs, lyrics and shows the kids doing to motions. I am sure they have more than just that one, and Lifeway maybe another place to look. This one is Sing Along Songs from FaithWeaver DVD, it's 16.99.

JesusTogs · Aug 2, 2006

wendy41899 said:
Are you looking for free resources or maybe ones you can purchase?

I can suggestion somewhere to look for ones to purchase. Group Publishing is a good one and they have a dvd that you play and it has the songs, lyrics and shows the kids doing to motions. I am sure they have more than just that one, and Lifeway maybe another place to look. This one is Sing Along Songs from FaithWeaver DVD, it's 16.99.

I'm a little late with the reply. I do the Kids Choir at church. Usually I adapt sign language signs to fit the song. Also, we do several Hillsong Kids songs and you can watch their DVD and use some of their actions.

I have found it's REAL important to choose songs with minimal words. Like maybe one verse and one chorus that repeats. We have alot of difficulty with the wordy songs.

Eve4000 · Aug 3, 2006

I dunno how many would be good for the older kids, but I know classic children's songs with sign language like "Jesus Loves the Little Children" and "With My Whole heart" would work for the younger kids. And, i dunno if you have time, but I would check out stuff like Psalty and Colby, especially since they are targeted towards kids from 5-12. If I find anything, i'll notify you

lilangelmelanie · Aug 23, 2006

well i am in the same boat as you... we're looking for new songs, but I took some newer worship songs from a kids worship cd (shout praises kids & shout praises kids gospel) and I made up my own motions to most of the songs, for example... every move i make, we do the grapvine for those words then for every breath I take i take in you we do motions for breathing in God, then we step forward really silly on every step i take i take in you, then same every breath i breathe I breath in you... then we made up little hand motions for the chorus then wave our hands in the air for the nananananana part... hope that helps, let me know if you have any songs you want ideas for! I'll help as much as possible!!!

Elboy · Aug 23, 2006

JesusTogs said:
I'm a little late with the reply. I do the Kids Choir at church. Usually I adapt sign language signs to fit the song. Also, we do several Hillsong Kids songs and you can watch their DVD and use some of their actions.

I have found it's REAL important to choose songs with minimal words. Like maybe one verse and one chorus that repeats. We have alot of difficulty with the wordy songs.

The Hillsong kids dvds are really good!! Its a really good buy espically the new one "super strong god"

El

sealedandfilled · Sep 7, 2006

WOW! I was asking this exact same question just a copule of weeks ago and felt like i was up against a brick wall! Thank you all so much for your responses (and for posting the question) I have NO rythem! so somebody else teaching the kids motions on TV would be ever so helpful! God bless you all! I see hope for childrens church again! WOOO HOOO! I'm off to order videos! I love yall!

dancin_dude · Mar 3, 2007

TrustingmyLord said:
Hello!

I help with Childrens Church at my church and I am looking to do some songs with the children with hand motions. Does anyone have any ideas how to get started? I suppose I could make up my own hand motions/dance, but I was hoping someone might know of a website or some books to help.

Thanks!

There are four praise dance videos done with kids at http://www.worshipsteps.com. Check the preview clips here or click the image

HeyHomie · Mar 3, 2007

www.kidmo.com

Songs with hand motions?

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