My Opinions

1. Children need to move!  If they are not invited to move their bodies during Primary, they are not engaged and they are not learning what you are teaching.

2. Children shouldn't be forced to sing.  Just because someone isn't singing doesn't mean he isn't learning the gospel or feeling the Spirit.  Singing isn't everyone's favorite thing, but Singing Time should be enjoyable whether children are singing or just listening.

3. Primary Singing time and Sharing time is about the children, not about the adults who teach it.  Teach it on their level.  Chapters 2-3 in Part C of Teaching, No Greater Call is a great resource for understanding how different ages of children learn.

4. Children should have many chances to participate.  Have popsicle sticks, little papers with their names, etc., and use these as much as possible.  Try to come up with ways for them to be involved.  (This will also really help their behavior as you explain that if you pick a name of someone who is distracting their neighbor, you will have to skip their turn.)

5. I like to have just one Welcome song and one or two Birthday songs to choose from so that the children know them really well.  That way they sound like they really mean it when they are singing to the visitor or the bday child. I would not recommend having them do the "zippedy-yay and heidi-ho" one, because how would a 10-11 year-old boy feel about having to sing that?  (We do "We Welcome You" and "Happy Happy Birthday" or "You've Had a Birthday.")

6. Singing Time can be the highlight of these children's week!  They can feel the Holy Ghost testifying to them of the truth of the words of the songs, and they can have so much fun at the same time!