Wiggle Songs can be any activities that provide relief in Music Time.
Question: "When should I use a wiggle song?
Answer: "Whenever the children need it!
It is useful to remember that the children in Primary come in all abilities and all ages -- from 11 down to barely 3 years old. Sometimes the Seniors outnumber the Juniors or vice versa. The older children may be able to pay attention for longer stints, but remember that the little ones probably can't even read yet and to them EVERYTHING IS NEW and different. The last thing they can handle is more sitting still while people are just talking.
January is the beginning of a new year, and that, for most Wards, means a TIME CHANGE. After sitting in Sacrament Meeting for one hour, the children are likely going to be fidgety, especially the very young ones. The new schedule may be spanning lunch time or nap time, too, which complicates things. Younger children have a hard time adjusting to new rhythms in their day.
Question: "When should I use a wiggle song?
Answer: "Whenever the children need it!
It is useful to remember that the children in Primary come in all abilities and all ages -- from 11 down to barely 3 years old. Sometimes the Seniors outnumber the Juniors or vice versa. The older children may be able to pay attention for longer stints, but remember that the little ones probably can't even read yet and to them EVERYTHING IS NEW and different. The last thing they can handle is more sitting still while people are just talking.
January is the beginning of a new year, and that, for most Wards, means a TIME CHANGE. After sitting in Sacrament Meeting for one hour, the children are likely going to be fidgety, especially the very young ones. The new schedule may be spanning lunch time or nap time, too, which complicates things. Younger children have a hard time adjusting to new rhythms in their day.
This is precisely why Wiggle Songs are so important. As valuable as doing movements during a song are, they aren't as laser-targeted as Wiggle Songs can be. Most of the Wiggle songs in the Children's Songbook start with movements but end with calming down. Many times using scarves, ribbon wands, hand signs, marching, rhythm sticks, shakers, or clapping can actually heighten the "free for all" to a fever pitch! It is very hard to regain control once you've lost it.
Leading by Example - Be sure that you practice doing the Wiggle activity or song that you intend to use. Use your hands and facial expressions as well as your whole body just like you expect the children to do. You can't be looking at sheet music!
A few of my favorite "go to's" from the CSB are "My Hands" 273, "Oh, How We Love to Stand" 279, and "Hinges" 277. I usually sing them unaccompanied so I can vary the Tempo. I often go faster and slower in places or even put in complete stops. That way I am training the children to watch me for Tempo, Breathing, Facial Expressions, and Physical Movements - including any "freeze" pauses.
A few of my favorite "go to's" from the CSB are "My Hands" 273, "Oh, How We Love to Stand" 279, and "Hinges" 277. I usually sing them unaccompanied so I can vary the Tempo. I often go faster and slower in places or even put in complete stops. That way I am training the children to watch me for Tempo, Breathing, Facial Expressions, and Physical Movements - including any "freeze" pauses.
Maintaining Eye Contact - Memorize the words and music! That way you can keep your eyes on the children. How else can you really judge how they are participating and how effective your teaching methods are?
Read the Room - Even the older children will give you signs that they are bored or just "checking out." You can bring them back by doing a quick BREATHING EXERCISE or a FULL BODY SHAKE. Better yet, plan VARIETY into your teaching methods from the get go. Change things up every few minutes.
Magic 7 Rule - To the very young children in Primary, every song is new. They likely cannot read or even understand most of the words to the songs. They cannot be expected to catch on to the melody and lyrics (let alone to doctrinal meanings) from just experiencing them one or two times through. Let your goal be to introduce and review the songs 7 times in various ways (and in fairly close succession) before expecting the children to start participating. Be sure to SING MORE and TALK LESS!
The key is to use a wiggle song or activity in quick, surgical strikes. A few seconds change of pace is all you need to provide relief and regain the children's attention. Then you can go back to teaching whatever you had planned.
Wiggle Songs are your FRIENDS!
The key is to use a wiggle song or activity in quick, surgical strikes. A few seconds change of pace is all you need to provide relief and regain the children's attention. Then you can go back to teaching whatever you had planned.
Wiggle Songs are your FRIENDS!
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