PBT Techniques #9 - DANCE!

Sometimes we make creating a lesson for children harder than it has to be. Children express God’s joy with their bodies more readily than we adults. Swallow your pride and plan to dance at the end of a lesson. Choose a joyful song (video or audio). Once the PBT book is read and all the necessary words of the lesson are spoken, invite the children to stand with you and clear the space. Start the music and DANCE! Show them how you can dance joyfully to The Lord! Psalm 149 and 150 mention dancing for The Lord with tambourines so consider adding a little instrumentation. What fun! It might become a ritual that keeps your kids coming back for more.

Here’s a former PBT post of a great book that’s perfect for this kind of joyful lesson wrap-up. You can choose to use Bob Marley’s song, but I like the video I’ve linked for you. It’s great fun with a similar theme and lyrics that make more sense to children than Marley’s song:

Bring the Beat [video]

Picture Book: One Love:                                                                                              Based on the Song by Bob Marley

Adapted by: Cedella Marley

Illustrator: Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Summary: Bob Marley’s oldest daughter offers this adaptation of one of her father’s most beloved songs. Though the words of the book do not conform to the lyrics of the Bob Marley recording, the simpler text & fun illustrations offer a meaningful message of joy and hope as a young girl convinces a group in her community to transform it into a more beautiful space.

Hanna’s Comments: Singing along with the book may not be possible, but you can read the book, talk about how your community might be transformed, and then everyone can dance to the reggae tune. The original lyrics have some Christian references, but they are hard to understand and will likely be ignored by children. A skilled musician might be able to adapt the book’s text to a tune comparable to the original. This book is all about making connections with one another and nature so it’s a perfect PBT book.

Original Date & Publication: Chronicle Books, 2011

Age and Grade Appropriateness: 3 and up, Pre and up     

Formats other than Book: Tablet

Scripture Connections: Love is patient and kind (1^st Corinthians 13: 4-8); Let all you do be done in love. (1 Corinthians 16:14); Put on love which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:14)

Idea(s) for Application: Read this book as part of a children’s celebration after they take part in beautification activities or simply doing some cleaning and picking up litter on the campus of your faith family.