I need help. I solicit your ideas. I don't know what to do. I work in the Primary of our ward and things are going from bad to worse. The children are absolutely crazy during sharing time and middle exercises and I am at a loss of what to do. How do you keep the attention of 50 children ages 4-12 at the same time??? If you have any ideas, remember your Primary days, or are a Primary leader yourself please help. Luckily I have a great presidency and we're meeting tonight to talk about what to do, but any ideas would be appreciated.
*A note: I am not a reverence Nazi and completely understand that children have big spirits in little bodies and there must be an allowance for some wiggles, talking, and laughs. But we are way past the margin of allowable behavior.
13 comments:
Okay...I'm a total blog-stalker...but we just dealt with this in my Primary.
I made about 30 "CBR" badges...which look like a CTR symbol, but I just tweaked it...it stands for "Caught Being Reverent." During singing time and sharing time, members of the presidency take note of who is being reverent, and they give them the badge to wear for the whole day.
WORKS LIKE A CHARM. Sometimes we give them to ALL children who are reverent...other times, it's just a few. But it really works!
I wish I had more experience in this area, but instead I suggest you talk to past primary leaders and your stake leaders to get ideas. Colleen comes to mind. She is the queen of primary service and working/loving children. I think some sort of reward system would work. I have every confidence that you and your presidency will work it out. Good luck!
The kids in our primary here are noisy, but the music leader is fantastic. She does a lot of wiggle songs with full-on choreography, then always says, "How fast can you sit quietly in your seats?" and they all run back to sit quietly. Who is your second counselor now?
I like Jen's idea (fyi she is a good friend to two London girls and very quality herself, though I have yet to actually meet her). Whatever you do, don't become like Sis Warn*r or P*pe from back in the day, I think D. and I still have nightmares from practicing for the P. program with them one Saturday long ago.
In our old church the P. Pres. was really good with the kids and just wouldn't start talking until they were all quiet even if she had to stand there several seconds or minutes. Also if someone was being really bad she'd walk over to them and tell them to be quiet right in front of the other kids and that usually shut them up so I guess maybe I'm suggesting public embarrassment?
Anyhow good luck! Maybe you could just get a sharp ruler and beat their fingers like ye olden days.
Jordan, I think it'll work out. You did such a good job at the meeting tonight and I like our plan. I anticipate better times ahead!
Emily, I'm still the second counselor. Donna Erwin is the first. But I'm excited to tell you about some big changes coming soon...we hope! We'll let you know if and when they happen..Right, Jordan? Don't forget to talk to Ben, k?
Hope you don't mind my answering Emily for you Jordan. Sorry if you do. You can answer her too if you want! :-)
No, go for it Bethany! I am not the best responder so thanks for being up on things. I did love our meeting tonight and can see a light at the end of the tunnel. We do have good kids and things will work out. Thanks for all of your help!!!
Jord...
so happy to see you are blogging...
I agree with your mom, reward, bribe whatever you want to call it always worked for me...Once when I had sunbeems I did a reverence chart...it worked for a while...Little kids need changing up so try a few types of rewards!
Good luck!
kiss kiss
auntie m
ps you could give them all cell phones...it is working for my kids! lol
This is why I am not the Primary President, I don't do well with disorder.
I would go with the old cliche many hands make light work. I would ask for assistance from the teachers. It is easier to manhandle 5-8 kids then 50! You could maybe give each teacher a "CBR" badge that they can chose one kid from the class each week who earned it. The following Sunday in sharing time recognize the children who were the prior week recipients and maybe give a small treat or so to entice the kids.
You could always default to Jana's teaching method of counting down from 5. Amazingly it works!
Our ward has a treasue box and each class has a chart, once a particular class gets so many stickers (like 5) then that class gets to pick a prize from the box..our daughter loves it..she always picks the necklaces..and she's in CTR5 how reverent can they be?
Those are great suggestions.... I don't think I have anything new to add! I totally agree that teachers can make a big difference in managing their class, music can be a huge help, I've especially noticed that since being chorister, and praise and rewards work really well. So, I think I'm really no additional help! I'm sure you guys will get it working really smoothly!
Our primary just changed up the seating arrangement so the kids are now closer to the front and it has helped a lot. Maybe switching something up will be a good change/fresh start with the kids. I do have a new thing to add! ;)
And thanks for the birthday wishes! I loved your message, thanks for remembering me :)
Sorry, Jord, I don't have any good suggestions. I was just thinking of harsh corporal punishment, or maybe the stocks, or some severe humiliation, but I guess the Church would frown on all of that. Thanks for the new blog I get to read. I'll enjoy it. ree ree
Again, thanks for the comments and good advice everyone.
Jen: You are not a blog stalker and I appreciated your idea...we will definitely keep it in mind (we're going to try the same thing with a sticker first)
Vonnie: No worries, thanks for just listening.
Auntie M, Rebecs and Sarah: Thanks for the bribery, teacher help, and seating suggestions. We did employ all three on Sunday and felt a lot better about things.
And RR: corporal punishment, the stocks, severe humiliation....I think I would lose my job for that, but funny to picture at the same time. :)
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