Happy Opening
"Brave or Scared?" Jumping Game
Before class, clear a small open space. When children arrive, teach them two moves: when you say "SCARED!" they crouch down and make a scared face; when you say "BRAVE!" they jump up tall with their arms wide and a big smile.
Play two or three rounds, then say warmly: "Today we are going to learn about a girl in the scriptures named Esther. She felt very scared, but she chose to be BRAVE! [Jump up together!] And because she was brave, she got to help her whole family. Let's find out what she did!"
Simple Scripture Story
"Queen Esther Was Brave"
Gather children close. Use a simple paper crown (for Esther) and a small stuffed animal or doll (for Mordecai). Hold up each as you tell the story.
"Once there was a kind girl named Esther. She lived with her cousin Mordecai, who loved her very much. [Hug stuffed animal.] One day, something wonderful happened, Esther became the QUEEN! [Put crown on a child's head for a moment.]
But then something scary happened. A mean man named Haman made a terrible plan to hurt Esther's family and all her people. Esther was very scared. [Make a scared face, invite children to copy.]
Mordecai told Esther: 'Maybe Heavenly Father made you queen FOR THIS. Maybe He put you here on purpose, to help!' Esther thought about that. She asked everyone to fast and pray with her for three days. [Fold arms in a reverent prayer pose.]
Then Esther did the brave thing. She went to the king. And the king listened! Haman's bad plan was stopped. Esther's family was safe! [Jump up, BRAVE!]"
Ask: "How do you think Esther felt when she jumped up and was brave? Do you think Heavenly Father was happy with Esther?"
Big Idea
"Heavenly Father made me special so I can help others, and I can be BRAVE!"
Say this together slowly, then whisper it, then shout it! Tell children: "Every time we do something in class today, I want you to remember: just like Esther, Heavenly Father made YOU special on purpose!"
Wiggle and Learn Activities
"Crown of Courage" Craft** *(Hands-On Craft)*
Connects to: Esther being chosen as queen for a special purpose.
Materials: Paper strips (pre-cut), crayons or markers, stickers, tape or stapler.
What to do:
- Give each child a paper strip and let them decorate it with colors and stickers.
- Help them write or draw one way they can be brave (helping a friend, saying a prayer, being kind).
- Tape the strip into a crown and place it on their head.
What to say: "Esther wore a real queen's crown! Your crown means YOU are also special to Heavenly Father. He has brave things for you to do too, just like Esther!"
"Crown of Courage" Craft** *(Hands-On Craft)*
Connects to: Esther being chosen as queen for a special purpose.
Materials: Paper strips (pre-cut), crayons or markers, stickers, tape or stapler.
What to do:
- Give each child a paper strip and let them decorate it with colors and stickers.
- Help them write or draw one way they can be brave (helping a friend, saying a prayer, being kind).
- Tape the strip into a crown and place it on their head.
What to say: "Esther wore a real queen's crown! Your crown means YOU are also special to Heavenly Father. He has brave things for you to do too, just like Esther!"
"Fast and Pray" Freeze Dance** *(Music & Movement)*
Connects to: Esther and her friends fasting and praying before the brave thing.
Materials: Simple music you can start and stop (clapping works too!).
What to do:
- Tell children: "Before Esther was brave, she stopped and asked Heavenly Father for help. Let's practice!"
- Play/clap a fun beat and let children dance with their crowns on.
- When you stop the music, everyone FREEZES in a prayer pose, arms folded, eyes closed, quiet for three seconds.
- Repeat 3–4 times.
What to say: "Esther asked Heavenly Father for help before she did the hard thing. When WE need help, we can stop and pray too!"
Activity 3, "Who Can You Help?" Beanbag Toss (Game)
Connects to: Esther being placed in just the right spot to help her people.
Materials: A beanbag (or soft ball), a basket or hula hoop on the floor.
What to do:
- Children stand in a small circle. Toss the beanbag to a child and ask: "Who is someone YOU can help?"
- They answer (Mommy, my baby brother, my friend at school) and toss the beanbag into the basket.
- Every successful toss gets a cheer: "Heavenly Father put YOU there on purpose!"
What to say: "Mordecai told Esther that Heavenly Father put her there FOR A REASON. Heavenly Father puts YOU in your family and your class for a reason too, to help and love the people around you!"
"Brave Choices" Thumbs Up/Down** *(Interactive Discussion)*
Connects to: Choosing to do the right thing even when it is hard.
What to do:
- Read short scenarios and let children show thumbs up (brave and right) or thumbs down (not brave).
- Scenarios: "Esther went to the king to help her family, thumbs up or down? A child sees a friend who is sad and goes to give them a hug, thumbs up or down? Someone is mean to you and you are kind back, thumbs up or down?"
- After each thumbs up, say together: "BRAVE! Just like Esther!"
What to say: "Being brave doesn't mean we aren't scared. It means we do the right thing EVEN when we feel scared. Esther did! You can too!"
"Brave Choices" Thumbs Up/Down** *(Interactive Discussion)*
Connects to: Choosing to do the right thing even when it is hard.
What to do:
- Read short scenarios and let children show thumbs up (brave and right) or thumbs down (not brave).
- Scenarios: "Esther went to the king to help her family, thumbs up or down? A child sees a friend who is sad and goes to give them a hug, thumbs up or down? Someone is mean to you and you are kind back, thumbs up or down?"
- After each thumbs up, say together: "BRAVE! Just like Esther!"
What to say: "Being brave doesn't mean we aren't scared. It means we do the right thing EVEN when we feel scared. Esther did! You can too!"
Picture Time
Gospel Art Book #27, "Queen Esther" (painting by Minerva Teichert)
Hold up the picture or display it where children can gather close.
Ask:
- "What do you see in this picture? What is Esther wearing?"
- "How do you think Esther feels right now? Can you make that face?"
- "What do you think Heavenly Father wants us to remember about Esther today?"
Song and Actions
"Dare to Do Right" (Children's Songbook, 158)
Teach children simple actions for the chorus:
- "Dare to do right", jump up tall with arms wide (BRAVE pose!)
- "Dare to be true", point to heart
- "You have a work that no other can do", point to a neighbor, then to themselves
Sing together slowly, using the actions. Remind them: "This song is about YOU, just like Esther, you have a work that no other can do!"
Jesus Loves Me Moment
Gather children in a cozy circle. Hold up the crown from the craft activity.
Say softly: "Esther was just a regular girl, like you. But Heavenly Father had a special plan for her. He has a special plan for YOU too. He put you in your family on purpose. He loves you SO much.
Can you finish this sentence for me?"
Invite each child to say: "I can be brave like Esther when I ___________."
If children are shy, the teacher goes first: "I can be brave like Esther when I choose to be kind even when it's hard."
Close with your testimony, simply and naturally: "I know that Heavenly Father knows each one of your names. He is watching over you, just like He watched over Esther. He has good things for you to do, right in your own home, right in your own family."
Take-Home Hug
This week: Give someone a brave hug!
As children leave (still wearing their crowns!), whisper to each one:
"This week, find someone in your family who needs help, and do the brave thing. Help them! Then you'll be just like Esther."
You may send the crown home as a reminder. Children can show their family and say: "I learned about Esther today. She was BRAVE!"
Teacher Survival Tips
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The crown does double duty. Making a crown early in the lesson gives wiggly children something to DO with their hands, and wearing it the rest of class keeps them connected to the story. If a child's crown falls apart, make a speedy repair with an extra piece of tape, never let a craft become a frustration!
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Repeat the Big Idea every single transition. Young children learn through repetition. Each time you move from one activity to the next, say the Big Idea together: "Heavenly Father made me special so I can help others, and I can be BRAVE!" This takes only ten seconds and dramatically increases what children retain.
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If attention is slipping, go physical first. When you sense the group losing focus, wiggling, talking, looking away, skip ahead to the Freeze Dance or the Beanbag Toss before trying to re-engage with words. Movement resets attention beautifully at this age. You can always circle back to discussion once bodies have moved.
