"The annual children's sacrament meeting presentation gives children an opportunity to share the principles they are learning in Primary with their parents and other ward members. This presentation is given in the fourth quarter of the year. The Primary presidency and music leader(s) plan and prepare it under the direction of the bishop. The presentation follows the administration of the sacrament and should fill the remainder of the sacrament meeting time. All Primary children ages 3 through 11 participate.
Primary Handbook
of Instructions, page 237
| Read the Instructions and the outline for the year's Sacrament Meeting Presentation. |
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| Select the songs which will be included in the presentation so the music leader knows at the beginning of the year what songs the children will need to know. Also time the songs, adding one minute, so that you will have an idea of how much time you have left for the scripted part of the program. |
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| Prepare an outline of your presentation using the suggested topics from the outline published in the program. |
| Research all the references in the outline, as well as other approved materials, for a variety of ways to develop each topic. Approved resources would include the Friend, Family Home Evening Manual, Primary manuals, etc. |
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| Determine how best to present each topic. Some appropriate methods might include such things as choral reading, scriptures, stories, panel discussion, group recitation, personal testimonies, etc. Be sure to present your ideas to your Bishop for approval. Sometimes it is helpful to review previous Sacrament Programs. Here are a few you can peek at: |
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| Determine how many
children will need parts in the program and designate topics to appropriate
age groups or children. Obviously you won't want to give a younger child
a long reading part. You may want to assign some parts to entire classes
or groups of children (i.e. reciting an article of faith).
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| Submit final draft
to Bishop for approval. As soon as the program is approved you will want
to give each child their part. The sooner this happens the better. You
will also want to give a copy of the program to all primary teachers,
music leaders, and presidency.
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| Rehearse!
The children should have the opportunity to rehearse the program at
least two times before the actual presentation. It's best if they are
able to practice in the chapel so that seating can be arranged accordingly.
Be sure to seat children so they all have a good view of the music leader.
If a specific class needs more individual help, ask the teacher if a member
of the presidency can come in and work with them for 3-5 minutes during
class time.
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| Present the program! Children should arrive approximately 20 minutes early on the day of the program so they can be seated on time. Encourage children to use the restroom and get drinks before Sacrament Meeting begins. Be sure to move any items from the pulpit/stand that prevent the children from seeing and being seen. Other tips include: |
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| Celebrate! Phew!
It's all over! Let the children know how much you love them and plan to
do a little something special. This could be inviting a guest speaker
do sharing time, watching an approved video, playing their favorite game,
or handing out special rewards such as "You did GREAT!" stickers. Share
you testimony with the children. Take a deep breathe and get ready for
next year! |
