Teach Help Me, Dear Father using these singing time ideas! My favorite idea is using bandages to link the intangible to the tangible. But make sure to scroll through all the ideas linked to help you effectively teach this Primary song in singing time!

Bandages
How in the world do first aid bandages relate to Help Me, Dear Father? I love teaching the intangible using something tangible! And that’s exactly what this lesson plan does. It likens forgiveness and repentance to a bandage – something all kids are familiar with! More details can be found HERE.

A Children's Songbook Companion
A Children’s Songbook Companion contains a singing time lesson plan for every single song in the Children’s Songbook including Help Me, Dear Father. More details on this book can be found HERE.

Access these printables at my Resource Library. Instructions for accessing the Resource Library are found at the bottom of this post.
Teach Help Me, Dear Father with Handbells
This handbell chart plays the alto notes. This post HERE explains everything you need to know about using handbells in singing time.

Merry Bells
Or another handbell option for Help Me, Dear Father is Merry Bells. There are several options to choose from:
- Play Along DVD Primary Songs #2 HERE
- Digital Download Multi-Note Harmony HERE
- Digital Download Single-Note Melody HERE
- Printable Handbell Charts HERE
Make sure to use coupon code CPI for 10% off your order!

ASL
Teach Help Me, Dear Father using Holly’s simplified ASL! This is her explanation video:
Then once you have learned it, sign along with her here:
Then make sure to check out my post HERE for more helpful tips for teaching sign language in singing time!

Sharla Dance
Sharla Dance has a TON of activities to teach this song HERE including:
- Melody Map with Actions
- Rhythm Stick Roll
- Younger Sway and Freeze
- Older Fill in the Word poster
- Song Story
More Singing Time Ideas
Primary Singing has a few ways to teach Help Me, Dear Father.

Help Me, Dear Father History
This information comes from Stories from The Children’s Songbook by Sister Pat Graham (more information on that book HERE).
Because there was only one other song about repentance, two lines were added to make a “repentance” verse in this one. Because we teach forgiveness as part of repentance, this felt very appropriate.I hope Sister Taylor [the author & composer] would approve. In addition, the accompaniment was simplified and the title was changed to the first line.In the last line, “nearer” is sung twice rather than holding “to” for three beats as in the original.
Leave your Help Me, Dear Father Singing Time Ideas
How will you teach Help Me, Dear Father in singing time? Leave a comment with your suggestions and ideas!
Check out this quick tutorial video for accessing the Resource Library:
These printables are filed on my Resource Library page under Song Title > Help Me, Dear Father.