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hello! I am using LHTH with my 3 and 4yo boys. They really like the finger plays and usually worksheets/activities. They sit OK for our Bible Story and the dramatic play stuff is hit or miss. They tune out for the music One of my sons is very busy kiddo. Any tips on getting them to focus? I dont do everything at once, usually a circle time with story, music, fingerplay, and dramatic play, then table work later. I am a little surprised that they really like everything we do at the table I wasnt sure if my older son would sit. Also they are picking up the letter sounds super fast and showing more interest in letters sounds all the time. I am just wondering if I should skip the music or if something else might fit? I am hard of hearing in one ear and do not particularly care for the music myself either. I have a hard time picking out the lyrics. I have tried following along with the lyrics, singing them myself, but it just isnt sticking for them. We do other music activities before bed so I am thinking about just dropping the CD? Thank you!

Oh I am on week 3, just started today

I don't know what the average HOD family does, but we have all the CDs in the van. We just listen to them whenever we listen to them in there... then when we get to that section we can talk about it if we want to...

I think for one part of LHTH the first time through I had them listen to the selected track every day. Some of the songs are catchier and seem to stick better "Noah build a boat" is one we have all had stuck in our heads! At a certain point I just had them listen to the CD when they wanted to, while they were playing or whatever. We also often do our school CDs in the van. The point is connecting with the story through music, which usually helps kids remember. Use it however it seems to work to that end.

We normally do some kind of activity along with the music. For example, they might put a small bean bag on their head and walk around the room trying to balance it while listening to the music. Sometimes they might have to move like a graceful swan or a speedy cheetah. Other times they sit and "paint" in a shallow pan of pudding while listening to the music. Or I combine an art activity like watercolors or painting on large sheets of aluminum foil while the music plays in the background. If I had my 3 year old just sit and listen to the music, she probably wouldn't be able to . Oh, another thing is to play the music while the kid does the activity that goes along with the masking tape letters. We are just finishing week 3 but going half speed since dd is only 3 but these are some of the things we've tried and it has helped.

HTH

We just enjoyed the music. We looked at it as a time to enjoy the Bible history in another way, and as a time to praise the Lord! Take off the pressure and just listen to it. It is not meant to be memorized nor to be a deep activity. It is usually 3 minutes long, and our boys are very active - as it sounds like yours are - so, we often marched around the kitchen to it. I did expect listening and tuning into the words rather than out and out running. They loved that time! Maybe those few little changes will put a love for the music and for the Bible stories being sung about in your little guys' hearts! But if not, it's only 3 minutes long. HTH!

In Christ,
Julie

The ideas of playing the music while having them march or paint are good!

I find the words very hard to understand... as in I can't make out what is being said. I like the Hide 'em in your heart CDs that are scheduled in LHFHG and Beyond soooo much more. The tunes are great, the music beautiful and the voices easy to understand. We play those CD's often just because they're great! That guy should do a singin' Bible CD. I like the idea...