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?
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I created a chart that keeps track of the children's progress in areas like, Prayer, Reading the scriptures, participating in class, testimony, and articles of faith, but it also tracks if they interrupt the class, chatting with other children, and not being reverent. If they do the good things they get a check but if they do the bad things they get a red X. After receiving 10 checks they get a prize but if they receive 10 red Xs their parents must come and sit with them during primary. This has worked really well for our ward, Hollywood Hills
ReplyDeleteBecause we have so many chairs to set up and we didn't want to miss the end of sacrament meeting, we started having the children wait in the foyer before they come in. This gives us a chance to have the chairs all set, teachers in place, and music playing as they enter. We also ask them to fold their arms before entering the room.
ReplyDeleteWe give out CBR stickers (Caught Being Reverent). Then 2 children are chosen every week to stand in front of the congregation before church to "set an example for the adults."
We also try to bring up reverence in our Presidency minute during closing exercises.
It is an on-going process that needs constant attention. I don't think it can ever be ignored.