Teaching songs to kids that can't read. :)

What do you remember most about Primary?  Most likely, your answer is the music.  Primary songs are the foundation of testimonies in children.  It is so much easier to remember a song than it is to remember a lesson, especially for children.  Music triggers the pleasure sensors in our brain (speaking does not), and children will tune into music much more than they will to speaking.  So the more songs they know, the more they will know about the gospel, and the stronger their testimonies will be.  It is crucial that parents and primary leaders understand the value of music, and have tools to teach music to young children... especially those children who cannot read yet.  Below are my top tips for teaching pre-readers, and should be used in primary, family home evening, and beyond!

1.  Let's MOVE!
For kids, singing and dancing are intrinsically connected.  It is unnatural to have one without the other.  Granted, we do need to teach children to sit still and be reverent, but if kids have choreographed movements or actions to go along with a song it will be easier for them to remember, not to mention more fun, too!  And the more fun they are having, the more they will pay attention.  Many primary songs have actions already, but it is always appropriate to come up with new actions or make up actions for songs that don't already have them.  For songs that are repetitive, I like to use sign language.  Not for every word.  That would be too much to learn.  But for key words.

Also, if the child is not speaking well enough to sing along, he/she can still feel good about doing the correct actions.  This builds confidence, and keeps everyone involved in spite of ability.

2. Visuals
The absolute worst way to teach a new song is to say the words and expect the children to remember them.  Having something to look at and cue the memory will help immensely.  Visual aids don't have to be for every word, or even be a picture of the word.  For example, if I were teaching the line:
I know when I am baptized, my sins are washed away.
I would use the following visual aids.
The letter "I", a picture of someone getting baptized, a picture of a child doing something naughty, and a picture of soap.

3.  Chaining
Chaining is a learning method appropriate for any musician, but applies here as well.  The object is to link things together.  So once you have mastered a line of a song, go on and learn the second line, then make sure to go back and chain them together by singing the song through that far.  Before moving too far ahead you must go back and repeat what you have done.  This helps the child remember what has already been taught, and teaches the order of the song.  So you would be singing like this
1.  I know when I am baptized, my sins are washed away.
2.  I know when I am baptized, my sins are washed away.  And I can be forgiven and improve myself each day.
3.  I know when I am baptized, my sins are washed away.  And I can be forgiven and improve myself each day.  I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.
4.  I know when I am baptized, my sins are washed away.  And I can be forgiven and improve myself each day.  I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.  I want to be the best I can, and live with God again.

4.  Repetition
If a new song is taught at the beginning of primary, it should be sung again right before church is over.  It should also be sung the following week.  The typical child will need at least 3 rehearsals of a song to be able to perform it.

5.  Exposure
Children should be exposed to primary songs throughout the week.  Our ward distributes CD's each year with the songs the primary will focus on that year.  It is such a great idea!  We listen to our's in the car, while we are doing crafts, and while we are falling asleep.  During our last primary program, my middle child (who wasn't in primary yet), sang along to every song from our seats!

Success is key!  Singing time should be focused on making the child feel successful.  If they can't keep up or follow along, they will feel self concious, and shut down.  By implementing these simple tools, the child can quickly master the song and boost his/her self esteem.  A winning combination, for sure!