little pioneer children
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With tomorrow being Pioneer Day, I thought it would be fun to have a fun little Family Home Evening about it.  My kids are still small so instead of focusing on dates, and places, and details about the suffering and hardships the pioneers faced, this lesson is about how children today can be pioneers too.  It is based on the song “Pioneer Children Were Quick to Obey” in the Children’s Songbook.

 

FHE Theme: Little Pioneer Children

 

Scripture: 2 Nephi 31:20

 

Songs: “Pioneer Children Were Quick to Obey” and “Pioneer Children Sang as they Walked” Children’s Songbook

 

Start the lesson by defining the word pioneer.  Depending on the age of your family (or length of attention span) you can make this as detailed or broad as you’d like.

 

Story: For little kids I suggest including this story from the June 2008 Friend “What is a Pioneer?”

 

Now it’s time for family discussion which is the best part of FHE (besides the treats at the end)!  Take the song  ”Pioneer Children Were Quick to Obey” line for line and ask questions (words by Viginia Maughan Kammeyer):

 ”Pioneer children were quick to obey.”  What does “quick” mean and why is it important?

“Walking along the wagons all day.”  Why did they have to walk?  How was this hard for them?

“Then in the firelight, kneeling to pray, little pioneer children.”  Do you think they prayed like we do at our house?  What do you think they prayed for?  What do you think they were thankful for in their prayers?

“Carrying water and gathering wood, building a campfire and cooking the food.”  What chores do you have to do?  Would you rather have the chores of a pioneer child?  Did you know they sometimes had to burn buffalo chips when wood wasn’t available?  (eeew.)

“Learning and helping the best that they could, little pioneer children.”  Do you always do things the best that you can?  Are you trying your hardest to learn and help?

“Children today can be pioneers too.”  What does this mean?

“Willing and cheerful in all that we do.”  How can we be more willing and cheerful with our families, at church, or with our friends?

“Walking our pathway with heaven in view, little pioneer children.” Have each member of your family tell how they plan on walking “with heaven in view”.

 

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If you’d like to include a little game in your lesson about pioneers, I suggest the “Day After Day” file folder game from Green Jello with Carrots.

Put the file folder game together as a family, or make it a challenge by placing each part of the game together after quiz questions.

 

And make sure to end your FHE with a song, prayer, and delicious goodies!