Be Prepared!

Recently, I was asked how to maintain reverence among energetic children.  My best answer is BE PREPARED!!!  Many primaries have singing time for about 15 to 20 minutes.  Some incorporate singing with sharing time.  I, personally like the block of time because we can sing a song several times, work on sections or have time to play a singing game.  But, whatever time you have, you must be prepared!  Here is a list of helps for a music leader:

• Know the song or songs - memorized.  When you have the songs memorized, you can keep an eye on everyone.  You can see if the children are understanding the words, singing them correctly and if they are "zoning out."
• Have a plan.  When you have a plan as to how you are going to use your time, things will run more smoothly -- note: I didn't say perfectly - that rarely happens.
• Choose activities that will help the children learn and memorize the songs.  Keep them age appropriate.  Remember, not all children in primary can read.
• ALWAYS have a contingency plan.  If the children aren't responding well to your "plan A,"  your safety net is "plan B."  Also, you may have a little extra time and it's nice to have a little extra planned.
• Be energetic.  If you love what you do and love the children, they will know and respond back.  The reverse is true, as well.
• Sing more than you talk.  If everyone is singing, there is less chance of children loosing interest.  Singing time is just that -- SING!
• If you use visual aids, make sure that they are big enough so the back row can see.
• It's a good idea to talk with the primary president and ask that the presidency and teachers sing during singing time rather than visit.  Example is powerful!
• Enjoy yourself - it's contagious!

A Child's Prayer

The song for this month is "A Child's Prayer," p. 12.  This has been a favorite of mine since it was published some 30 years ago.  It has been used in several Primary Sacrament Meeting programs, as well.  If your primary is just learning it, here are some helps.

Every time you sing "Heavenly Father, Father, pray or prayer," fold your arms or place palms together as if praying.
"Do you hear and answer . . ."  put your hand to your ear as if listening
". . . heaven is far away"  place open hand above eyes as if looking far away
"I remember now"  point to your mind
"Jesus told disciples . . ."  use a picture of Jesus and his disciples
"Suffer the children . . ."  picture of Christ with children

I don't always like the children to do all the actions during a performance, so as they become more familiar with the words, take out one action at a time until they can sing it without any prompts.

Make sure that you sing this verse through more than 3 times so that it will "stick" in their minds.  Repetition is one of the best learning tools!

Tip: Review this year's program songs by singing them for opening and closing songs.

Picture Review

Here is a list of the songs for the 2013 Primary Sacrament Meeting Program.  Two of them were your choice so you may not be using the two listed below.  There are 6 songs to review.

Make a word strip of each song title, fold it and put it in a basket, paper bag or jar.  Find one picture to represent each song.  I've put a suggestion after each song below.  Ask a child to draw a paper from the jar and read the title.  Then ask the children to match the title to the picture.  Sing the song.  (Sing it twice if it needs a little more review.)

Songs for 2013 program

I Am a Child of God p. 2  

     picture of a child or children with Christ

My Heavenly Father Loves Me p. 228  

     picture of a bird

If the Savior Stood Beside Me   

     picture of the 10 commandments

I Will Be Valiant p. 162  (your choice)  

     picture of missionaries or Army of  Helaman

We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet # 19 (your choice)   

     picture of Joseph Smith or Pres. Monson

When I Am Baptized p. 103  

     picture of a rainbow or a child being baptized

Families Can Be Together Forever p. 188  (July)

A Child's Prayer p. 12  (August)

When I Am Baptized - Review

Here is a fun review for "When I Am Baptized."  You will need:

• a picture or drawing of eyes or glasses and word strip of LOOK
• a picture or drawing of a rainbow and word strip of RAINBOW
• a picture or drawing of rain and word strip of RAIN
• a word strip of  PONDER, BEAUTY, EARTH and CLEAN
• a picture or drawing of the earth

2nd verse

• a picture or drawing of a child being baptized and word strip of BAPTIZED
• a picture or drawing of running water and word strip of WRONGS and WASHED
• a word strip of  FORGIVEN, IMPROVE

Use this picture for the chorus:

• a picture of Christ

On the board, jumble up all the pictures and words, however, keep the words with the pictures that they match.  Not all words have a picture.  The pictures are for the non-readers so they can participate, also.
Tell the children that we are going to review a song.  Their job is to put the pictures and words in the order that they are sung.  Play the first line of the song.  Ask the children what comes first in the song.  If needed sing the first line or phrase.  Make sure that you choose non-readers when there is a picture.  It's possible that you could sing this song several times -- great review!

Note:  In the interest of time, I sing the 1st and 2nd verses then the chorus once.

Father's Toolbox

Gather several tools that a dad would have or use.  If you can find a tool belt or tool box to put the tools in, that would be even better.  Label each tool (strip of paper taped on the tool) with attributes of a father, such as, helpful, good listener, good example, kind, hard worker, fun to play with, homework-helper, great chef.  Feel free to use your own ideas.   Have the children choose a tool and read the attribute.  Sing a Father's Day song or choose songs you want to review.  After singing the song, ask the children if there was an attribute in the song that a dad could have.
Examples:
I Can Be Valiant -- Dads are valiant, they serve others, etc.
I Am a Child of God  --  Dads help us find our way back to Heavenly Father
When Grandpa Comes -- Grandpas are kind and say kind things, they brighten our day

After each song choose another tool.  If time permits, have the children tell how their father has that attribute.

Fathers of Us All

We all have many fathers.  Of course our own fathers and grandfathers are very important, but there are many men that make a difference in our lives.  A few that we might not think about are uncles, home teachers, our bishop, stake president, neighbors, teachers, etc. are some great ones who have influenced us.  What about men in history who have made a difference in our lives. 

On the board, put several pictures of men in the scriptures.  Below are a list of some examples.  Have the children tell about each man and what they have done for us.  Then sing a song about fathers.  Choose songs that you may want to review.

Joseph Smith, Nephi, Helaman, Lehi, Jesus, Moses, Abraham, Noah, Adam, Isaiah, Pres. Monson

Fishing Review for Father's Day

We are planning on singing a medley of songs for Father's Day in two weeks.  Our medley consists of:

• When Grandpa Comes  p. 201
• My Dad   p. 211
• Daddy's Homecoming  p. 210
• We'll Bring the World His Truth  p. 172

This week, we will do a "fishing" review of these songs.  Cut out 8 fish from colored paper.  Choose 2 words or phrases from each song and make word strips to tape on the back of each fish.  Put a large paper clip on the "nose" or tail of each fish.  You can use a real fishing pole or any stick (yardstick, dowel rod. etc.) will do.  Tie a string onto the pole.  On the end of the string, tie a magnet.  Place the fish in a bucket or tub or on the floor.  Choose children to "fish" for "review" fish.  Sing the song that the word or phrase comes from.

Example of words or phrases from the above songs:

• When Grandpa Comes "it's always fun"    "wrinkly"
• My Dad  "favorite pal"   "honesty"
• Daddy's Homecoming  "Shout"    "knee"
• We'll Bring the World His Truth  "Goodly parents"   "Nephi"