As that special incentive to get them to sing nicely, and smile, don't foget your "CRYING MOTHER" poster for Mother's Day! My kids look forward to it all year long. :)
When I was first called as primary chorister - I was scared, and also greatful it wasn't ward choir director! :)
My first week, I was so nervous. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know how to involve the children and keep the spirit.
My first month, I came home each Sunday and flopped on the couch exhausted and I'd cry. I didn't think I could do this!
One of my biggest challenges was being prepared. It seemed I was always making visuals for songs - since our ward didn't have many saved from the previous singing leaders. That's what inspired me to start LDS Primary Posters. By allowing us to help with your visuals, you can focus your time and effort on how to effectively teach YOUR primary with the spirit.
To see and hear the children learn the gospel through music is so fulfilling. No, it is not EASY. It is time consuming. You must be prepared. You have to invite the spirit. But truly, it has become the most rewarding calling I've ever had.
Elder Graham W. Doxey: "When you sing the hymns, ponder the meaning of the words, enjoy the spirit of the music. Sing with enthusiasm without regard to your tones. You will have a good feeling, and your spirit will be enlivened."
First Presidency Preface: "Teach your children to love the hymns. Sing them on the Sabbath, in home evening, during scripture study, at prayer time. Sing as you work, as you play, and as you travel together. Sing hymns as lullabies to build faith and testimony in your young ones."
Elder Boyd K. Packer: “We are able to feel and learn very quickly through music...some spiritual things that we would otherwise learn very slowly”
President J. Reuben Clark Jr.: “We get nearer to the Lord through music than perhaps any other thing except prayer.”
President Harold B. Lee: “The most effective preaching of the gospel is when it is accompanied by beautiful, appropriate music.”
Elder Dallin Oaks: "Our sacred music prepares us to be taught the truths of the gospel...we...need to keep singing that we may draw ever closer to Him who has inspired sacred music and commanded that is be used to worship Him."