Singing Time in Primary

by Candace Salima | More from this Blogger

21 Apr 2006 02:19 PM

The very best part of sharing time, for me, is when we sing the primary songs. The day came in my life when I was called to be the Primary Chorister - now, here's the cool part. When I lead music my hand tends to stutter, meaning I lose the count and then my hand stutters in trying to get back to where I'm supposed to be. Did you know that little kids just don't care about that? How cool is that?

Let me tell you how I went about getting the children to learn songs I didn't have time to teach them. You know those great old songs from the Primaries of yesteryear. Songs like "Jesus Once Was a Little Child," "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus," "I Think When I Read That Sweet Story of Old," or even "Primary Colors." Those were great songs, but with the way they have Sharing Time structured these days there is no time to teach the old songs, because the children are too busy learning the new. So I devised a plan to get the little darlings to show some initiative.

At the beginning of the month, during singing time, we would sing one of the old songs, once. Then I would tell the children that if they would go home, work with their parents, and learn the song in its entirety before the end of the month I'd give them a reward. They had to come into the Primary room at the end of church on the last Sunday of the month and sing the song to me. If they did that, I would bake each one of them a cake. The first month I ended up making over eighty cakes as child after child came and sang the chosen song to me. Yes, I was busy. Yes, I don't care if I never see another teddy bear cake again. However, the joy that filled my heart as the children learned song after song, month after month, was tremendous.

I did bribe them. I don't care. They can all sing those songs to this very day.

Learn more about Candace Salima

Candace E. Salima was born right smack dab in the middle of twelve children.

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whitlarson (71) 22 Apr 2006 04:00 AM

Being a Primary lady myself, I just loved this story. I wish all leaders of children realized their opportunity!

Thanks for sharing!!!! You amaze me (EIGHTY?!)!!

Candace Salima (1604) 22 Apr 2006 04:09 AM

Our primary, at that time, was well over 100 children, as was our YM/YW too. That was a very fun calling and I very much enjoyed introducing the children to the songs that were so fond from my childhood.

BigalSa5 (33) 26 Apr 2006 09:28 AM

Ahh yes, the 80 mini-chocolate teddy bear cakes. One thing for sure with Candace, life is full of sweet surprises. I got to bask in the kids' affection by association. One six-year old complimented me in an oh-so-cute manner. She approached me and referring to my wife said, "Brother Salima, you're lucky 'cause your mommy makes you chocolate cake everyday." She continued, "My daddy says mommy makes him eat rabbit food (salad)." If she only knew.

Candace Salima (1604) 29 Apr 2006 04:37 AM

Aren't children the cutest ever? Alvin and I bask in the love of all the children in our ward. Until now, I hadn't heard that story. That is so cute I can hardly stand it!

Xerophilous (11) 24 Jul 2007 07:48 PM

Your idea was wonderful. Does anyone have any additional ideas for Choristers? I need to find ideas for teaching specific songs and where to find pictures/visual aids. By the way, I had one of those "cute" moments with one of my Primary kids last Sunday. We had a particularly fun time singing that day. Afterwards a seven year old boy threw his arms around me and said, "I wish you were my grandma!" I didn't know whether to be pleased or not as I am only 44 and I don't think I look like a grandma yet. After a moments thought I decided to be pleased because I can't wait to be a grandma!

Nola Redd (7081) 24 Jul 2007 08:53 PM

Kids judge grandmas by their love, not their age. Definitely be flattered! ;)