Preparing for the Sacrament Meeting Program

The Primary Sacrament Meeting Program is a big deal for the children and the one thing that they can all participate in is singing.  Make sure they know these songs well!  Be prepared!

• Make a list of all the songs that you will be singing for the program
• List them in the order order that you will sing them
• Sing the songs with the children
• Make note of the songs or verses that need some extra review
• Know how many weeks you have before the program
• Plan your singing time to review the songs

If the children know the songs well, they internalize them, the understand the message and enjoy singing.  This will carry over to the congregation.  They, in turn, will feel the spirit of the song and the love the children share in singing the songs.

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.

Sing to the Sky!

Here is an activity to cut through the norm in singing time.  Plan a review of the songs that you will be singing for any program.

• Have children stand up
• Sing to the wall
• Sing to the back wall
• Sing to the door
• Sing to the Primary President
• Sing to the piano
• Sing to the cieling
• Sing to chair in front of you
• Sing to the floor
• Sing to your neighbor
• Stand in the center o the room and have the children sing to you
• Sing with your eyes shut
• Sing standing on one foot
• Sing with your ears covered
• Hold your nose and sing (they will all laugh at this sound)
• Clap each word/syllable as you sing

The list can go on and on.  The children will never know that they are reviewing songs over and over again.
You can put these ideas on strips of paper and have the children draw one at a time out of a hat or container.

Are You Ready?

Are you ready for your Sacrament Meeting Program?  I like to have our program before General Conference each year.  This year we will be singing 13 songs and I'm proud to say the children know them all!  This translates into 13 ways we have taught the gospel through music.  We began preparing for it last October with a break for learning Thanksgiving and Christmas songs.   The reason that we sing so many songs is that ALL the children are involved in singing which means less discipline problems.  We stand for each song so the children move a little throughout the program.

As you plan your program, look for ways to involve the children.  Have a seating chart. Plan ahead so the rehearsals are organized and run smoothly.  Beware of over practicing.  We choose to rehearse 1 or 2 times for the program.  It's best to have the children fresh and they perform.

Most of all, we want the children and congregation to feel the spirit.