Additional Resources for Teaching Children
Lesson 17: I Will Share


“Lesson 17: I Will Share,” Behold Your Little Ones: Nursery Manual (2008), 72–75

“Lesson 17,” Behold Your Little Ones, 72–75

17

I Will Share

Introduction for the Teacher

To prepare yourself spiritually to teach this lesson, please read and ponder the following:

True followers of Jesus Christ have always been known for their willingness to share what they have with others (see, for example, Acts 2:44–45; Mosiah 18:28; 4 Nephi 1:3). By sharing our blessings with those in need, we acknowledge that these blessings come from God, and we show our love for all of His children.

Preparation

Bring a simple object that you can use to demonstrate sharing (you could also use an object in the nursery classroom, such as a toy or a book).

Learning Activities

Begin with a gathering activity. For ideas, see page 3.

Prayer

Invite a child to give the opening prayer.

Song

Sing or say the words to the chorus of “I’m Trying to Be like Jesus” (Children’s Songbook, 78–79) and do the actions below. Invite the children to join you.

Love one another as Jesus loves you. (hug self and turn from side to side)

Try to show kindness in all that you do. (nod head up and down)

Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought, (hug self and turn from side to side)

For these are the things Jesus taught. (nod head up and down)

Tell the children that Heavenly Father wants us to be kind to one another. Explain that when we share, we are being kind.

Demonstration

Tell the children you are going to practice sharing. Show them how to share by saying, “I will share” as you give the other nursery leader the object you have brought. Emphasize the happiness that sharing brings. Invite the children to say, “I will share.”

Pictures

Show the first picture on page 74. Point to the girl on the left and tell the children that this girl has a doll that she loves to play with; when her friend comes to play, the girl says, “I will share my doll with you.” Point out that they are both happy. Invite the children to say, “I will share.”

Image
girls playing

Show the second picture on page 74. Point to the boy on the right and tell the children that this boy loves to play with his toys; when his friend comes to play, the boy says, “I will share my toys with you.” Explain that now they are both happy. Invite the children to say, “I will share.”

Image
boys playing

Song

Sing or say the following words to “Fun to Do” (Children’s Songbook, 253) while you pretend to share with the children. Invite the children to join you.

Sharing with you is fun to do,

Fun to do, to do, to do!

Sharing with you is fun to do,

To do, to do, to do!

Conclusion

Tell the children about the happiness you feel when you share. Explain that Heavenly Father also feels happy when we share.

Prayer

Invite a child to give the closing prayer.

Optional Activities

Preparation

  • For the illustration activity: Copy the illustration on page 75 for each child.

    Image
    coloring page, sharing cube

    I Will Share

    I will share smiles.

    I will share food.

    I will share books.

    I will share toys.

    I will share crayons.

  • For the cube game: Copy and cut out the illustration on page 75. Color if desired. Fold along the dotted lines, and tape or glue the tabs to make a cube.

Illustration

Display the illustration on page 75 and give each child a copy of the illustration. Point to the picture of the smiling boy and explain that we can share our smiles. Invite the children to point to the smiling boy on their copies. Repeat for the other illustrations.

Cube Game

Roll the cube you made. Have the children do some simple actions to go with the picture on the top of the cube. Then invite the children to say with you, “I will share my [smiles, toys, food, and so on].” When the side with only the words “I Will Share” comes up, have the children clap their hands and say, “I will share.” Repeat until each child has had a turn rolling the cube.

Image
cube diagram

Activity Verse

Recite the following activity verse and invite the children to join you:

I want to follow Jesus,

Be kind and loving too. (hug self)

I’ll share my smiles; (point to mouth and smile)

I’ll share my toys. (pretend to give away a toy)

That’s what He’d have me do.