How to Teach Kids This Little Light of Mine
Let it shine poem was originally an American folk song that was first documented in 1939 by John Lomax. Today, it can be found in the Library of Congress Archives, which indicates that it was composed by Harry Dixon Loes. In fact, it was actually written for children. However, the song later became an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.
The Main Teachings Of The Hymn
First, the lyrics are well-organized in a repetitive yet simple layout that makes it pretty easy to sing along to. While its lyrics render it into a folk tradition style, children often encounter it in Sunday school. It has the qualities of a spiritual hymn owing to its verses that allude to the Bible. It teaches the Christian value of being guided by the Holy Spirit that Christians believe to be the gift sent to them by Christ after his ascension to heaven. Apart from its religious connotation, it also teaches about social justice as evident in the versions used by the Civil Rights Movement. Its message of social justice calls for people to uphold Godliness and be the face of a fair society where oppression has no room. By being the embodiment of God, the Civil Rights Movement communicates the message of liberation, freedom, and uprising in which each individual is empowered by their own light and collectively bring justice to the world.
Topics Children Interact With in The Hymn
Children between the age of 0-5 might not grasp the concept of social justice, but it gives them an appreciation of rhyming and an understanding of phonics from its pattern of repetition. It also helps the children to explore the topic of self-expression and a sense of community.
How To Draw Educational Experiences From The Hymn
Given its rich teachings, teachers and parents can use a hero such as Superman to demonstrate its themes to children. This will help the children relate to its theme in which the audience is urged to let their light shine wherever they may be. Superman is a perfect example of how one can leverage their ability and skills to help others in what struggles they may have. However, the teacher or the parent has to link this example to real-life situations such as a singing talent, excellence in a certain academic subject, or any other abilities that children can use to help their colleagues.
Teachers can also use integrated arts to get the children to use candles to create and make their own light, as well as, passing the lit candles to each other to demonstrate the significance of light from the lit candles. Both of these activities are easy, and fun to do and will excite the children whilst learning the sense of community building by using their abilities to help others.