This is a very comforting children’s song in our new Hymns for Home and Church#1047. It teaches about our loving Heavenly Father who created everything, knows everything and loves everything about us, His children.
It was written by Kenneth S Schank. You can find some information about him and his song here.
Music Method
I believe this song will need a lot of repetition. The pattern of the rhythm is not consistent, so the children will just need to get used to the long/short (knows the stars) and the steady (numbers ev’ry one) rhythm.
I will be teaching this song with my rhythm sticks. Here is a link to the ones I have from Amazon if you are able to get your primary rhythm sticks.
You can download Rhythm Stick Patterns here
I would use one line of patten for each line of the song, repeated four times (one time through the pattern for each measure). Then a new pattern for the next line of the song, repeated four times. I have included 6 patters, so you could have the children switch up what they perform each line over and over, hence the repetition. You could also divide the group into two teams, with a team leader and do different patterns at the same time. Also, you can have the children create their own pattern and draw the three different actions on the board.
I have used a quick, quick hold rhythm. I have found that the hold on the end of the pattern gives them a little extra time to reset their thinking.
If your group is having a hard time with the quick movements, you can draw two of the same pattern on the board and slow things down. Or slow the pattern down and repeat the pattern over two measures. In this case, you would create the action on the first and third beat of the measures over and over. Then change that action for the next line etc.
Ok…. this song as written goes a bit high. My voice is not one that likes that! If yours doesn’t either, I have written an alternate melody for the first two measures of line three. It doesn’t change much, but it makes is doable for me. The change also complements the original melody, so when the children sing it with others who haven’t changed, it will sound just fine.
You can get a copy of the changed melody here.
Visual Aids
I will use my flipchart to help teach the words to my group. There is a lot of words to remember, and it always helps me to keep my mind straight if I have pictures to remind me. (I’m a visual learner)
You can download a copy of the He Cares for Me flipchart here
The last line of this song is the same, except for a few words. You can cut the words (knows, hears, loves us all, loves) out and place them on the last line when singing the related verse.
The last line might be the starting point of teaching this song!
Gospel Teaching
If you are using the flipchart, you can point out at the first of your lesson that the last line of this song is the same, except for a few words. This song will be teaching three truths about their Heavenly Father. He knows all things, He hears all things and He loves us all.
You can get a copy of those words here.
These three truths are a wonderful opportunity for you to ponder how you have seen Heavenly Father in your own life. How has he answered your prayers? How has he intervened with a foreknowledge of what you needed that you could not see? How have you felt his love. Children really respond well to personal stories. This is a great opportunity for you to bear your own testimony of these truths.
The children might want to share their own experiences of receiving answers to prayers.
Here is a video for you to practice with!
Happy Singing!