If you have Primary age children, especially those in Junior Primary, you may be struggling with teaching your children reverence. It can be difficult finding the fine line in which you teach your children to be quiet and respectful during Sacrament meeting, and keeping them entertained. You can not expect a three year old to pay attention to adult speakers for an hour, especially when adults may have the same problem. Here are five ways to help teach your children reverence during Sacrament meeting.
1) Try to have your children sit quietly until the Sacrament has been passed. In my family this means that you cannot draw, play with toys or get up off of your seat. We do have books that we take that have pictures of Jesus in them. This will help the children to focus on the purpose of the Sacrament.
2) We do allow snacks during Sacrament meeting. Our Sacrament meeting is during lunchtime, and at the end of the block. Children are more likely to misbehave if they are hungry. The snacks are small finger foods, which can be eaten quietly and do not leave a mess.
3) Be careful in the selection of toys that you bring. We only bring books, crayons, and scripture flannel board figures to church. You will need to decide what works for your family. Puzzles may be okay. Please do not bring balls. Recently another family brought a ball to church and somehow my 20-month-old son got it. He has quite an arm and it ended up halfway up the chapel, before I could get it from him. (We were sitting at the very back of the chapel.) Similarly, toys that make any noise should be left at home.
4) It is important to set the example. Your children will not learn to be quiet if you and your husband make whispered comments during the Sacrament. They will have a harder time paying attention, if you do not seem to pay attention.
5) Remember to stay positive. Your children will respond better to positive comments rather than negative ones. You may want to reinforce any positive behavior later on. This will encourage them to continue being reverent. Remember to have patience they will learn this skill, as they grow older.
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