Reverence Ideas

Reverence, seems to be a concern that is always on our mind. Here's some ideas collected from different people on how to increase reverence in our primaries. Don't forget to post ideas that have worked for you.
1. Idea: I had a problem settling down my primary class which consisted of the older primary children. They were also always reluctant to open and close with prayer. I decided to choose a class president, changing the person each month who made the prayer assignments. The children were much more responsive and willing to say prayers. They are also much more reverent during my lessons.
2. Idea: I have a CTR-aged child who is a distraction to everyone else in class. He would go in and out of the class at will. I figured the best way to keep him quiet was to assign him a task that made him feel very important. I asked to put his chair right by the door and make sure that nobody went out. He does it perfectly every Sunday and everybody sits quietly in class.
3. Idea: I believe there is a direct correlation between the reverence of the leaders at the beginning of Primary and the reverence of the children. The leaders set the tone.
4. Idea: I grew up in the Western U.S. There, the primary presidency always sat up front with the children giving the talks and scriptures and with the music leader. When I moved out East, I realized not everyone does this. We started doing it in our Primary this year. It has improved the reverence, but I think the most marked difference is that the children sing better during opening exercises because they have their leaders in front of them setting an example.
5. Idea: To Catch a Butterfly by Marilyn Wood - A couple of years ago, I found the following story in the friend about Reverence. I read it to the children. I then brought out bubbles and encouraged them to sit really still and see if they could catch the bubbles on their finger. I told them the bubbles were like the butterflies in the story and they must be very quiet and still to be able to catch one. Since this lesson, I've discovered Gymboree bubbles which you actually can catch! Anyway, the lesson made a difference in the reverence of our ward and I think the kids knew more of what was expected of them.

What has worked for you?

January Focus

The Faith in God program helps children ages 8 through 11 to set and achieve goals (such as gospel living and learning the Articles of Faith. A member of the Primary presidency should sit down with the child and his or her parents to explain the program to them.
Teachers should then hold periodic interviews with individual children to help them select and plan goals (and how they'll accomplish them) and listen to experiences the children had in striving to accomplish the goals.
When a child completes the program, a member of the Primary presidency meets with the child to discuss the achieved goals. A member of the Primary Presidency then presents the Faith in God Award in Primary opening or closing exercises. Some wards have the Bishop present it in sacrament meeting.

What are some of the barriers that you have as a presidency to accomplish the introduction and follow-up activities below? What ideas do you have for other presidencies on supporting the kids in creating and completing their goals?