Making the Most Out of Singing Time

How can I help children internalize the messages in the songs that we sing?

This is a great question that we should ask ourselves every time we teach or sing Primary songs.  As we prepare for the Sacrament meeting program, we review songs over and over.  It is when you hear the children humming or singing the songs at home, while they play, in the car, on walks, etc. that many of the words and precepts become apart of them.  They begin to understand why they are baptized, stories from the scriptures, why we study the scriptures, why we pray, the importance of missionary work and genealogy, etc.

This post is to encourage singing, reviewing songs and singing again to help the children remember the songs.  You don't always have to have props or visuals. Singing one song after another or having a contest to see how many songs you can sing during your singing time is a great activity.

Sing standing up, facing the back or side of the room, singing every other phrase and humming the other phrase all help the children think about what they are singing.

How many ways do we try to be like Jesus? As you help the children prepare for the Primary Sacrament Meeting Program, review the songs that you have learned. As you sing each song, ask the children to find phrases or clues in the songs that remind us to be like Jesus.

End with "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus" - both verses.
Reviewing the songs that you have learned will help the children remember them as well as polish them for the program. Memorizing the words is important. It helps internalize the meaning of the song. If the children know the songs well, they will sing them often throughout the week. They will come to love them and be able to call upon their meaning as they need.