I am so excited to start a new year in primary! I love studying the New Testament and I am excited to help the children learn more about Jesus Christ in singing time. I have been thinking about a meaningful way to begin singing time in the new year.
This year, I’ll be using this Primary New Years Activity: New Years Goals lesson plan to help start the year off right in primary! Set some simple goals together as a primary and sing some sweet songs as you ring in the new year!
If you are still trying to choose songs for next year, our 2023 Come Follow Me New Testament Singing Time List is super helpful in making the decision!
I typically like to choose one song per month, and sometimes add an extra song if there are two shorter songs. We have lots of tips for organizing singing time to help you get started! If this is your first year as a primary chorister, I definitely recommend scrolling through our Singing Time Organization posts!
3 New Years Primary Goals:
I’ll be setting 3 goals with my primary kids this year. These goals can help primary children learn together and feel the spirit as they make music together! As you share each of these goals with your primary class, sing a simple song that helps the kids remember the goal.
I’ve included some possible options for songs to sing together, but feel free to add your own! The purpose of this activity is not really to teach a new song, so don’t worry if the kids don’t know all the words! I tried to choose songs that would be pretty familiar to them.
1. Learn About Jesus
My #1 goal every year in singing time is to help the children build foundations of faith that help grow their testimonies of Christ. This goal helps keep primary simple and makes it a little easier to plan activities. Whenever I’m in a pinch for a singing time activty, I always ask myself, “How can I teach the children about Christ?”
Song Ideas:
2. Be Kind to Others
Singing time just goes so smoothly when everyone is being kind to each other! This is a good go
Song Ideas:
3. Practice Reverence
Reverence is always a great goal to set in primary, especially if you have a larger or more rowdy bunch! I like the word “practice” because it helps the kids remember that they don’t have to be perfect. Sometimes it will be a little loud in primary. That’s okay!
Try to help the children understand that being reverent doesn’t just mean being quiet. We want the kids to participate and have fun! We just have to remember that being reverent helps keep the spirit in primary.
Song Ideas:
- Reverently, Quietly
- Reverence is Love
- To Think About Jesus
Activity Instructions:
- At the beginning of primary, welcome any new children and express your excitement for another year of singing time!
- Ask the children if they know what a goal is. You might also them to give you examples of goals.
- Explain that setting goals can help to grow become more like Christ.
- Post each of the goal posters on the whiteboard one at a time. Read the goal aloud and ask the children to repeat after you.
- Sing a simple song that can help your primary children to remember the goal throughout the year.
- Then, introduce the next goal. Read the goal and sing a song that corresponds with the goal.
- Continue with the third goal and share your testimony of primary music and Jesus Christ.
Extension Ideas:
- Find a coloring page on the church’s website that teaches the principles of the goals you set as a primary. Have the children color the picture while you talk about the goals for the year. You might choose a coloring page about reverence, kindness, or Jesus Christ.
- Sing first! Sing one of the songs you picked for each goal. When you the song, ask the children what the song is teaching. Then, share the goal and help them understand how the goals align with what they learn in primary.
- Read through the first paragraph of the Instructions for Singing Time and the Children’s Sacrament Meeting Presentation in the primary handbook (found on the church’s website.) Help the children understand the importance of music and singing time in building their testimonies.
Check out our top Tips & Tricks to Prepare for a New Year in primary!
Primary New Years Activity: New Years Goals Printable Lesson Plan & Goal Posters
Hopefully this New Years Goals printable lesson plan helps make this activity super simple for you! I’ve created this lesson plan that includes different examples of posters to use as you introduce your goals for the year.
You’ll find each goal written individually on a poster of its own. Each poster has the goal written and includes a picture to help the kids remember the goal. Keep these goals posted in the primary room all year long!
Plus, look for the printable lesson plan and an overview goals page included in January New Testament INSTANT Primary Singing membership.
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For another fun new year activity, or way to introduce a variety of songs, head over to see this Sing with Emoji Review game.
What goals do you have for singing time this year?
