Top Five Favorite Things in the Annual Children's Primary Program

It's that time of the year again. Primary Program season! This year will be the first year that I haven't had a key role in preparing the children for the program (either as President or Chorister) in eight years. I loved my years in Primary but I didn't realize how much Primary took up my waking hours between work and family so this year, I'm taking a very relaxed breath and focusing on other areas of my life (and my new calling as adult Sunday School teacher). 

However, in memory of eight great years, here are my top five favorite things to do in a Primary Program:

1. Let the children share their testimonies in a way they are comfortable sharing:

Our method was to interview the children beforehand and to use that interview to help them write a one-sentence script that they could memorize. Your interview questions should be age-sensitive. You might ask a younger child:

a) What can you tell me about Jesus?

b) What is your favorite Bible story?

c) What does it mean to "Love One Another"?

Obviously, it helps to look at the "Come Follow Me Manual for Primary" to choose questions based on each month's topics. We always interviewed them in the hallway with the doors open, and sitting in little chairs. We had several interviews happening at the same time so the children could see each other and not get intimidated about their interview.

2. Create a physical program

Our Primary programs always covered a few different themes, which we punctuated with a song, a talk assignment for a child, and by having some of the other children share their simple answers to the questions. I tried to make this clear in the program by typing up the program to include that information, including the name of the child in the order that they would be speaking. I felt that the program was an opportunity for the children to bear their testimonies, and I wanted those that were in the congregation to be able to follow. Leave off the names of the children if this is too intimidating, but try to list out the song names and themes. This helps people focus in on the topic better.

3. Make sure your songs help convey the message

We made sure to introduce each section with either the talk first or the song first. One year, while the song was about the theme, the message was subtle, so I added in a second song, back-to-back, which was the song about the Fourth Article of Faith.

4. Give the congregation an opportunity to participate and share their testimony as well

Every year, the children learned at least one song from the Hymnal. So, when the children sang their hymn, we always invited the congregation to join in for the last verse. I think it's powerful for the children to get to sing something they know well with the rest of the ward.

5.  Most importantly, listen to the spirit

Don't get caught up in being perfect. Don't write a perfect script and assign your five best speakers to impress the congregation. Focus on why the Primary Program is important - it's an opportunity for Primary children to testify of Christ - all children - not just the ones that are particularly articulate. This is not a fancy performance, nor is it a recital. Put the Lord and the children first. And finally ... be considerate and don't go over. The teachers in the second hour put a lot of preparation into their lessons, too :)