Last night, we had our stake primary leadership training meeting. We had a great meeting and I left feeling inspired to be a better primary president for the year ahead.
I wanted to share a few things that I learned from that meeting. First, they asked us what was the ONE thing we wanted our kids to learn this year. People gave answers such as that Heavenly Father loves them, or to Choose the Right and recognize when they make right choices, etc. They told us to keep whatever that one thing is in mind throughout the year as we teach them. And to remember, “We teach children, not lessons”.
What a great reminder! We were also talking about how to involve those children that act up in primary. They said to remember that behind every disruptive child is a reason. Some tips they gave were to let children know that they can ask questions when they don’t understand something, use pictures and object lessons, show love. Because, we might be the only person in their lives that show them love that week.
They gave another quote that said:
Tell Me, I’ll forget.
Show Me, I’ll remember.
Involve Me, I’ll understand.
Not only is that a great reminder for primary teachers and leaders, but it is a great reminder for us as parents too!
A great portion of the time was given to talking about the importance of singing time. We were told that, “music is gospel doctrine for the kids” but, that it has to be fun for them too.
We were also encouraged to love our callings. And, we were told that if we love the children, we will love our callings. I have found that to be true. There were many examples given of ways that we can love the children more. Hugs are a must, showing them special attention on their birthdays, sending them postcards in the mail when they are reverent. They were all fabulous ideas!
Last, our stake president representative spoke for a few minutes. He shared some thoughts from Elder Neil L. Anderson about our spiritual journey in this life. He said that our spiritual journey is a process of a lifetime. And, at some point at the end of the journey, the Lord will say to us something along the lines of, You don’t know it all, but you know enough. It is the same for our callings. We don’t know everything, but we know enough to teach the children as long as we love them, and teach them with guidance from Heavenly Father.
I am grateful for my primary calling. I do truly love it, and I know that with His help, I can do what is required of me. But, all that is required, is that I love the children. I’m trying my best to do that.