Primary Time: Assigning Talks

by Miriam Caldwell | More from this Blogger

14 Aug 2007 08:45 PM

Children need to be given the chance to speak in Primary. These talks help the children become comfortable speaking in front of others. It really can prepare them for giving talks in Sacrament meeting and teaching lessons at church. One of the key points of having successful talks, prayers and scripture sharing is good communication with the parents. Here are a few tips to make it work better.

1) There are several different ways to assign talks. You may assign them on a rotating basis or you may have the names drawn out of a hat. You may assign a class to be in charge of opening exercises and have the teacher make the different assignments for the month. No matter what method you choose you need to make sure that every child has the opportunity to speak.

2) You need to send a letter home to the parents listing the theme for sharing time for the month. You should also list a contact number, so that the parent can call with any questions. This helps the parents to know what to prepare the talk on. This letter should be sent home as soon as you make the assignment. Generally you do not want to send the letters home more than two weeks in advance.

3) If the child is not there the Sunday that you make the assignment, call the parents that day or on Monday. This can help to reduce miscommunication or the letter simply being lost in the mail, which can cause embarrassment for everyone involved.

4) It is a great idea to call and remind the children or parents about the assignment on Friday or Saturday. This gives the parents a chance to review everything with their child. Additionally this may help if the letter went astray between Primary and home.

5) Always be prepared with a back up. You can easily ask an older child to give the prayer or the scripture. You may just want to have a short story to share to replace the talk if the assigned person does not come.

A helpful hint about the Primary program and talks: You can copy each of the children's talks and then look over them and select one or two for each theme to use during the Sacrament meeting program.

Related Articles: Primary Time: Primary Sacrament Program

Primary Time: Five Easy Topics for Talks

Speaking in Primary

Learn more about Miriam Caldwell

Miriam is a SAHM mom of three children. She has a daughter who is seven, and two sons, four and two. She loves being a parent and spending time with her children.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger

Nola Redd (7081) 27 Aug 2007 06:13 PM

Knowing the children and their abilities can help ease them into giving talks. My daughter gave a talk when she was a Sunbeam; the teacher knew she could handle it (probably when she asked the Primary President, a friend of mine, if she could give one). Other children who are older may have problems that mean they need more encouragement and support in giving a talk. But this is a great thing for the kids to do.

Miriam Caldwell (8030) 27 Aug 2007 09:53 PM

It can be difficult. It is important to realize that holding the pictures while the mother talks is a good first step. It helps the child to begin to feel comfortable in front of the crowd. Taking it in slow easy steps is the best way to help children become comfortable in this role.