Songs I Sing to Teach Littles About God’s Creation: Part 1

Sometimes a song invites us to simply slow down, and take notice of the little things. Each word, every lyric describes what we are feeling or taking notice of in a way that simply talking about it just can’t do.

A growing tree. A budding flower. The blue skies above us. The people around us. We can find songs to describe and tell about all of these things, bringing it closer to our hearts, and deepening it’s meaning. Those melodies and lyrics stay with us, and we will find ourselves and our children replaying those songs for as long as we live and remember them.

The idea of this led me to begin my new YouTube series, Songs I Sing to Teach Littles About God’s Creation, with “What a Wonderful World,” made famous by Louis Armstrong.

Through this song, I invite children to listen, observe, wonder, and give thanks to God. We can enjoy music while making meaningful connections to nature, colors, friendship, and the beautiful world God created.

Watch the video and sing along!

If you found your way here from my YouTube video or a short clip on social media, welcome! Below, you’ll find simple tips on how you can extend the learning of this song, share a little music history, introduce new musical instruments to your young musicians, and enjoy a free coloring sheet to enjoy with your little ones.

Bringing the Song Into Your Circle Time or Morning Learning

I will actually share this song during our Morning Learning time. It is a gentle invitation through music to take notice of the elements in God’s creation. Before singing, we can look at pictures of flowers, leaves, or other pictures of nature (Get my Discovering God’s Creation Nature Cards) and ask:

• What colors do you see?

• What have you noticed outside today?

• What is something God created that makes you smile?

As we listen together, children can gently sway, stretch their arms up and out like the branches of a tree, or make curved rainbows above their heads. You can also post up different pictures in nature and have your littles point to them as they hear them mentioned in the song…or simply…listen. There is lots of room for every child to participate in their own way.

Afterward, we pause to name something beautiful we noticed. I connect our conversation to Genesis 1:31, where God looks at what He has made and sees that it is very good.

Here’s the Children’s Bible we use in our homeschool that I find to be wonderful for all ages, whether reading with you, or listening.

This song gives a starting place for observation, but it can certainly be used in rotation with other songs that are about creation. Our conversations outside of the songs and the shared lessons bring wonder back to God, our Creator.

A little story time: Meet Louis Armstrong

Here is a book that you can share with your children to extend the lesson. It is meaningful to read it to them and share the pictures. If you cannot get the physical or digital copy to share, now worries! Here is a short introduction you can share with your children:

“Many years ago, a boy named Louis grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana. He learned to make music with his voice and with instruments called the cornet and trumpet. As he grew, he became a musician known around the world! His name was Louis Armstrong, and he helped shape a style of music called jazz.”

Louis Armstrong was a Black American trumpeter and singer, and one of the most influential musicians in jazz history. He recorded “What a Wonderful World” in 1967. His recognizable, trumpet-like singing voice is part of what makes the recording so memorable.

Let’s Explore His Music and Instruments

Armstrong played both cornett and trumpet. These instruments belong to the brass family. You can show pictures of each and invite them to notice their coiled tubing, valves, and flared bells.

He was also famous for scat singing – making up musical phrases with playful syllables instead of song lyrics. Here’s where introducing the giftedness of this amazing musician will be a wonderful and exciting experience for children of all ages!

Try a little musical conversation: sing a short “doo-bah-doo,” let your child echo it, and then invite them to invent their own!

Although Armstrong is closely associated with jazz, “What a Wonderful World,” is a gentle, slow song. His famous original recording features his singing without him playing the trumpet. To explore his instrumental sound, pair it with a short example of his trumpet playing and ask, “How is the trumpet’s sound different from his voice?”

Color, notice, and give thanks to God for the gift of music, and the gift of His creation.

Download the free coloring sheet that accompanies this lesson, and give your child time to create while you revisit the song.

As you color together, ask:

What do you notice in your picture?

What colors would you like to use?

What else from God’s creation could you draw?

What would you like to thank God for today?

You can write down your child’s words or let them tell you about their picture. If you know me, then you know I would also suggest you give them a simple blank sheet of paper, and encourage them to draw their own picture based on what they remember from the lesson. Perhaps they will create a picture of their favorite part of God’s creation…a tree, a flower, the beautiful sky, or of themselves learning outside.

All of these are wonderful ways for you to encourage them to reflect on what they’ve learned, and store it later in a Learning or Nature Journal/Binder that they can refer to in years to come.

The ultimate goal is for you children to have and to hold this moment of wonder, connection, creativity, and gratitude.

Download the Free “Wonderful World” Coloring Sheet

Take the learning outside.

Finish with a short creation walk. Look for something growing in your own back yard, at the park, or along a trail. Listen for sounds in nature and notice a color you used in your picture.

As you walk with your children, encourage them to say a prayer, thanking God for all the beautiful things in creation that they see.

“Thank You, God, for the beautiful world You made. Help us notice Your creation, care for it, and love the people around us. Amen.”

I’m so glad you’re learning with me! Join me on YouTube at @mrsmastersmusicclass for more songs and simple ways to help teachers, families and young musicians everywhere learn.

With love always💕

Mrs. Masters

Worship, Sing, Learn & Grow

*The history details in this post are supported by the Louis Armstrong House Museum and Smithsonian, including his cornet and trumpet playing, scat singing, and the absence of his trumpet on this recording.