Tip: Make your Agenda move!

As I said before, kids don't like alot of words or talking from adults.  They like to be doing and moving.  I always have an agenda in front of me when I sing with the kids.  This way I know where I am going and where I have been.  And I need it because I usually move very fast from one song to the other.  Moving quickly keeps your kids very engaged and you will have less problems with bordom.  Give an identicle copy to your pianist and ask him/her to stay with you as much as possible. 

Typically a primary chorister will begin with one song and talk and move onto the next song and talk and then the next, etc.  That is okay.  But, you will get much more bang for your buck if you talk less and sing more.  This is what I mean by "make your agenda move":

• start with the new song or song they are working on
• move on to a favorite song
• revisit the new/working on it song
• go to an activity song - make them stand up!
• revisit the new/working on it song
• sing a review song (one they already have learned for the program.  This will be more useful later on in the year)
• revisit the new/working on it song
• and so forth (you can repeat this pattern as many times as you want or create your own pattern)

You will be amazed at how fast time flys and how engaged they are when you do this!  And always have fun.  It's not fun for them if it's not fun for you!