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Each Learning String of thirteen lessons is a years worth of material. There is no need to plan for a new lesson each week. In fact, infants thrive on materials repeated three, four, or even more times. And the lessons can be used in any order.

They are easy to use whether you are a parent interested in your child's spiritual growth or a teacher in charge of a classroom of young people.

They are nondenominational and especially important in today's moral climate

This lesson, Your Own Body is found in Learning String 2: Your Belongings of Bright Beginnings: Lessons for Very Early Childhood.

In the Lessons/Stories section the suitcase or box mentioned is a small suitcase or easily opened, decorated box that is used every time the class meets. Each time a new part is introduced the children discover new belongings inside.

The children's chant suggested in Songs/Poems is simply the first two notes or the first line of Ring around the Rosie. It is called the International Children's Chant because young children of all cultures sing those notes in play and respond to them whether they have had musical training or not. It's a wonderful all-purpose tune that teachers and parents can be comfortable with too!

These and other tips and suggestions are found throughout both Bright Beginnings' Lesson Strings.

Bible Stories for Part 9 Your Own Body

1. Samson's strength Samson was a very strong man. Once he even fought and killed a dangerous lion. Samson was strong because he obeyed God. Judges 1:17

2. Zacchaeus Zacchaeus was a good man. One day he went to see Jesus, but Zacchaeus was too short to see over the crowd of people. Then he had an idea. "I'll climb a tree," he said. So he climbed a tree, and then he saw Jesus. Jesus said, "I see you, Zacchaeus. I know you are a good man. Come down here. I want to visit with you." Jesus knows and loves us, even if we are not very tall. Luke 19:1-12

3. The Last Supper At supper, Jesus said, " Remember me. Put my lessons in your heart just like you put this food in your body. I love you and will be with you always." Luke 22

4. Parable of the Good Samaritan Jesus told this story. A hurt man was by the road. One man came down the road. The hurt man said, "Help me." The man said, "No." A second man came down the road. The hurt man said, "Help me." The second man said, "No." A third man came down the road. The hurt man said, "Help me." The third man said, "I am sorry you are hurt. I will help." And he did! God wants us to help others. Luke 10:30-37

Part 9

Your Own Body

The Main Point: Your body is special. (God loves you) (Care about yourself)

Mentor's Notes: Thoughts for the Spiritual Guide

"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" I Corinthians 3:16

Our bodies are miracles. No machine, no matter how intricate and modern, comes close to performing the wonders our bodies accomplish everyday. On top of that, God has chosen to use these "earthen vessels", our bodies, to house the "light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." II Corinthians 4:6-7. What a treasure for us to safeguard! Help children learn that they are "fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalm 139:14), and that the treasure inside us is the most valuable in the universe.

Materials (options/additions are in parentheses)

a large mirror
colorful ribbons or scarfs
photos of the children (or photos or magazine pictures of children about the same age)
a washcloth, a toothbrush
two or three articles of clothing (gloves, socks, shoes, hat, shirt, coat, etc.)
a small adhesive bandage
a picture of the Good Samaritan helping the injured man

Greeting/Conversation

Repeat the physical greetings that worked best last time. Gentle touches and hugs, when they are welcome, help the children notice and use their bodies. Show them you are pleased when they return your hugs or handshakes.

Mention any outer clothing you help the children remove. ("May I help you with your coat? Let's put your hat here. They are nice and warm, aren't they?")

Note: Talk to a child simply and at his attention level. Never talk down to him. Use polite, adult-like language, even when speaking to infants. Words like, "May I help you with your coat?" teach elementary caring even to the youngest students.

Go for a Walk/Show and Share

Talk about the weather. If you have a window, look outside together. If it is cold, use your hands to warm chilly fingers or cheeks. Talk about how nice is it to feel warm when it's cold outside. If it is hot outside, use the paper fan from lesson eight, or a plain piece of paper, to make a cooling breeze.

As you walk around the room, notice and comment on special body movements ("Oh look, Linda is jumping - clapping her hands" - etc.) Also mention articles of clothing and what they do for us. ("What nice shoes. They protect your feet. See my shoes? I have some too!")

Songs/Poems

Infants: Help babies become aware of their hands and feet by playing this traditional hand game

Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake (help the baby pat two hands together)
Baker's man;
Bake me a cake
As fast as you can.
Roll it and pat it (rub palms together and pat)
And mark it with a B, (pretend to draw the letter B in the baby's palm)
And put it in the oven (throw two hands wide)
For Baby and me.

Toddlers like to try movements on their own. When they have learned the traditional verse, try this one. Say it as a poem or sing it to the children's chant.

Jesus, Jesus, (pat two hands together)
God's dear son.
He love me (touch self and then...)
And everyone. (throw arms wide)
Hear him, and love him (touch ears and then cross arms in a self hug)
And follow him too. (move feet a few "steps")
And keep him in your heart (hold two hands to heart)
Your whole life through.

Games/Activities

I See Me

Take the child to a large mirror and let him see his own image. Talk about our wonderful bodies. Remind him of past lessons ("There is your mouth. I can sing 'Jesus Love Me'. I have a mouth too. See my mouth?") Help him find his ears, nose, etc. and remind him that everyone has a wonderful body.

Tie a brightly colored ribbon or scarf to an infant's wrist and let him discover its moving reflection in the mirror. Say things like, "I'm glad God gave you arms. Just look at them move!"

Who is That?

Show the children photos of themselves or of children about their own age. Point out any movements they are doing in the photo and ask them if they can do it again.

Body Tricks

Help the children discover all the wonderful things a human body can do. Help the infants clap their hands, point a finger into the opposite palm, pat or touch eyes, ears, etc., open and shut fists, and wiggle legs and feet.

Ask toddlers if they can run from spot to spot, march with knees high, turn in a circle, turn a somersault, or stand on one foot (just for a second!)

Older children might be able to act out a human activity (eating, flying a airplane, driving a car, swimming) or an animal activity (fly like a bird, beg like a pet dog, hop like a frog).

Lessons/Stories

Before you open your suitcase/box, remind the children that God gave us wonderful bodies. Tell them, that is why we should take good care of our bodies. Open your suitcase and show things that help us take care of our bodies.

"Here is my washcloth. (Pretend to wash your face and hands) I use it to keep my body clean." Encourage the children to use an imaginary washcloth.

"Here is my toothbrush. (Pretend to brush your teeth) I use it to keep my teeth clean." Encourage the children to use an imaginary toothbrush.

One at a time, show a few pieces of clothing and talk about the body parts they protect. ("Here is my hat. It keep my head warm. Here are my gloves. They keep my hands warm.")

Say, "Ouch!" and pretend to hurt your finger. Put an adhesive bandage on the "hurt". Smile at the children and say, "Now, that's better. I put the bandage on and God will make it well."

Ask them if they will help you feel better by patting the "hurt" hand or giving you a hug.

Show or let them find the picture of the Good Samaritan. If they are interested, tell this story.

Jesus told this story. A hurt man was by the road. One man came down the road. The hurt man said, "Help me." The man said, "No." A second man came down the road. The hurt man said, "Help me." The second man said, "No." A third man came down the road. The hurt man said, "Help me." The third man said, "I am sorry you are hurt. I will help." And he did! God wants us to help others.

Parting

If there is time, repeat the poem "Jesus, Jesus." Then show the children how to fold their hands and bow their heads. Pray, "Thank you, God, for my very own body and for loving me."

Parent Guidebook Page

Dear Parent and fellow guide. This guidebook page is for you. On it you will find:

Our Spiritual Goal as guides for young children; What to See and Do along the way; and Souvenirs, everyday objects you can use to reinforce the lesson.

The Bible calls our bodies temples of God, made so that the Spirit of God can live in us. (I Corinthians 3:16) Help children learn that they are "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 134:14) and that the treasure inside us is the most valuable in the universe.

Take the child to a large mirror and let him see his own image. Talk about our wonderful bodies. Find eyes, nose, mouth, etc. in the mirror.

Make paper earrings (to loop over whole ear) and bracelets or just loosely tie a bit or colored ribbon or cloth around wrists or ankles. Watch the movements of body and colors. Say things like, "I'm glad God gave you arms. Just look at them move!"

Do body tricks like clapping, hopping, putting hands and top of head on floor and looking between legs. "Our bodies can do so many things!"

Study and compare your hand and the child's hand. Look for moles, dimples, hairs, scars. Draw around both hands, one inside the other.

Cut a regular washcloth into four squares or cut a small piece from a worn towel to make a child's size washcloth. Teach the child to use his cloth to clean his body while you "help" with the rest of the bath. Don't forget to name and thank God for all the parts of our wonderful bodies.

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Damon K. Brown, Artistic Director
Judy K. Brown, Curriculum Director