Youth Choir

[Brittsings87]

  I was asked to direct the youth choir at my church, within the ages of 4-12. I've directed the youth choir before but they were all between the ages of 8 and 14, maybe a little older. But with the ages starting out at 4, I don't know what to do as far as grasping their attention. Because the "little" people at my church have BIG personalities and most of the time lose interest if it tends to get boring (I think thats the case for most kids anyways). And another thing, I really can't tolerate whiny, disrepsectful kids AT ALL, I just don't have patience for that nonsense.  And unfortunately thats how some of them are... especially this one little girl, she's about 6 and cries about EVERYTHING, most of the time for no reason at all.

I don't mind doing this, but how do I deal with kids all at one time that asks a thousand questions, then the constant bathroom breaks, interruptions (because alot of them are clowns), then the days when they just don't wanna act right, ect????!!!! 

[nessalynn77]

Whew, you have my sympathy, LOL!!!

It sounds like you need a lot of helpers depending on the size of the group.  If you have a good helper you may be able to split the group up and work with the smaller ones on their level and the older ones on their level, and come together once they've learned the songs.  If it's just you, have the older kids come 30 mins earlier so you can make progress with them before the rugrats get there, lol. 

Those are just my suggestions, I know they may not work for your situation.

[Long Fingers]

I had the same issue when approched with the position and wanted the ages split but my MOM shot it down. When the very first rehearsal started, I found out it wasn't bad at all. The little ones weren't as hard to keep attentive because they were around the big kids, so if the big kids were into the rehearsals and excited, the little ones were too. As far as the bathroom breaks, the lady who worked with me, we both saw that as a big problem. What we did was have them go before we started and a set time for when they were to return (with one of the older kids in charge). Of course there were a few kids that still had to go during rehearsals, but it cut down on the mass of kids having to go throughout.

By your post, I'm assuming you're doing this by yourself... if so, then request you have help from the MoM or talk with the parents and see if they can set up some type of schedule so thhere's someone there to help you.

[Brittsings87]

Whew, you have my sympathy, LOL!!!

It sounds like you need a lot of helpers depending on the size of the group.  If you have a good helper you may be able to split the group up and work with the smaller ones on their level and the older ones on their level, and come together once they've learned the songs.  If it's just you, have the older kids come 30 mins earlier so you can make progress with them before the rugrats get there, lol. 

Those are just my suggestions, I know they may not work for your situation.

LOL thanks for the sympathy!

I had the same issue when approched with the position and wanted the ages split but my MOM shot it down. When the very first rehearsal started, I found out it wasn't bad at all. The little ones weren't as hard to keep attentive because they were around the big kids, so if the big kids were into the rehearsals and excited, the little ones were too. As far as the bathroom breaks, the lady who worked with me, we both saw that as a big problem. What we did was have them go before we started and a set time for when they were to return (with one of the older kids in charge). Of course there were a few kids that still had to go during rehearsals, but it cut down on the mass of kids having to go throughout.

By your post, I'm assuming you're doing this by yourself... if so, then request you have help from the MoM or talk with the parents and see if they can set up some type of schedule so thhere's someone there to help you.

Well, actually we don't have a "MoM" at our church, it's just me  . But my Co-Pastor said she'll be there to assist, and thats a good idea to have them go before rehearsal. They use to do that at my church, like have all the kids use the bathroom before service started, so there wouldn't be alot of walking arouns during service, which is a pet peeve of my Pastor.

[Long Fingers]

LOL thanks for the sympathy!

Well, actually we don't have a "MoM" at our church, it's just me  . But my Co-Pastor said she'll be there to assist, and thats a good idea to have them go before rehearsal. They use to do that at my church, like have all the kids use the bathroom before service started, so there wouldn't be alot of walking arouns during service, which is a pet peeve of my Pastor.

That's great that the Co-Pastor has offered her help to you, that should help things run smoothly. Good luck and keep us informed.

[Brittsings87]

That's great that the Co-Pastor has offered her help to you, that should help things run smoothly. Good luck and keep us informed.

Yeah, hopefully! lol The first rehearsal was suppose to be last Wed. But I had COMPLETELY lost my voice, and couldn't talk. So tomorrow will be the 1st official rehearsl, so I'll let ya know how it went!

[kodacolor]

*takes notes*

This is good.  Just in case I have to deal with little kids...again...*shivers*

The last time I had to work with little kids was when I was 17 or 18 and I was teaching them a Children's Church lesson.  They were 4 - 6 or something like that.  I don't actually teach...I lecture.  My visual aids aren't much help either.  Yeah I was operating outside of my gift.  So one day I was doing a lesson and I asked a question.  A little girl raised her hand and said, "We're going to Chuck E. Cheese after church today!"

[Brittsings87]

*takes notes*

This is good.  Just in case I have to deal with little kids...again...*shivers*

The last time I had to work with little kids was when I was 17 or 18 and I was teaching them a Children's Church lesson.  They were 4 - 6 or something like that.  I don't actually teach...I lecture.  My visual aids aren't much help either.  Yeah I was operating outside of my gift.  So one day I was doing a lesson and I asked a question.  A little girl raised her hand and said, "We're going to Chuck E. Cheese after church today!"

  I know of this one little boy, well 2 of them, their brothers. They will yell out at ANY given moment, and say "IM HUNGRY!!!" They even do this in church service, and be very loud with it! They;ll pretty much blurt out anything. lol Well tonight is the rehearsal, I'm looking forward to it! 

[Brittsings87]

SO I just got back from the rehearsal! Not as bad as I thought it would be... however ALL the kids weren't there, some are out of town and stuff. But anyways, everything went well. My oldest niece who is 12 didn't want to do it anymore because she realized how tall she was over everyone else  . Well, the little girl that I metioned earlier that cries alot she didn't cry lol, I gave her a lead part in a song, she has a cute lil voice BTW. Well at first she was kinda bashful about it so I kinda encouraged her to do it. While in the process my lil godsister who is 4 said, "Bitney, I wanna do it", then she goes, "If she don't wanna do it I'll do it"  . That lil girl is hilarious, she'll have yal rolling. But yeah, everything went well, except for the interruptions by my godsister who kept tapping me lol. She also tried to tell me how to teach the song! lol

[divinemusician]

  I was asked to direct the youth choir at my church, within the ages of 4-12. I've directed the youth choir before but they were all between the ages of 8 and 14, maybe a little older. But with the ages starting out at 4, I don't know what to do as far as grasping their attention. Because the "little" people at my church have BIG personalities and most of the time lose interest if it tends to get boring (I think thats the case for most kids anyways). And another thing, I really can't tolerate whiny, disrepsectful kids AT ALL, I just don't have patience for that nonsense.  And unfortunately thats how some of them are... especially this one little girl, she's about 6 and cries about EVERYTHING, most of the time for no reason at all.

I don't mind doing this, but how do I deal with kids all at one time that asks a thousand questions, then the constant bathroom breaks, interruptions (because alot of them are clowns), then the days when they just don't wanna act right, ect????!!!! 

Do you have permisson to beat their butts haha naw I am just playing

[Brittsings87]

LOL.... I aint' touching them kids! Its some crazy parents that go to my church... only ones I can lay my hands on is my nieces, but I don't hit chirrens! lol

[divinemusician]

LOL.... I aint' touching them kids! Its some crazy parents that go to my church... only ones I can lay my hands on is my nieces, but I don't hit chirrens! lol

well at my church... I have the permisson to do so from all my parents but i don't  however them older *****'s like 15 + (only the guys) i put my hands right on their butts.... i have had to jack a few up but now they don't try me as much, or when they see that look they be like ookkk i am just playin... I take them *****'s down police style... haha but it is all in love, i don't really put my hands on them in a serious manner... they don't take it that far


by the way the hair is tight... is that one of your creations

[kodacolor]

well at my church... I have the permisson to do so from all my parents but i don't  however them older *****'s like 15 + (only the guys) i put my hands right on their butts.... i have had to jack a few up but now they don't try me as much, or when they see that look they be like ookkk i am just playin... I take them *****'s down police style... haha but it is all in love, i don't really put my hands on them in a serious manner... they don't take it that far


by the way the hair is tight... is that one of your creations

Divinemusician!  I'm shocked at you!  This is a christian site!       

[kodacolor]

SO I just got back from the rehearsal! Not as bad as I thought it would be... however ALL the kids weren't there, some are out of town and stuff. But anyways, everything went well. My oldest niece who is 12 didn't want to do it anymore because she realized how tall she was over everyone else  . Well, the little girl that I metioned earlier that cries alot she didn't cry lol, I gave her a lead part in a song, she has a cute lil voice BTW. Well at first she was kinda bashful about it so I kinda encouraged her to do it. While in the process my lil godsister who is 4 said, "Bitney, I wanna do it", then she goes, "If she don't wanna do it I'll do it"  . That lil girl is hilarious, she'll have yal rolling. But yeah, everything went well, except for the interruptions by my godsister who kept tapping me lol. She also tried to tell me how to teach the song! lol

I'm glad God worked it out for you. 

[divinemusician]

Divinemusician!  I'm shocked at you!  This is a christian site!       

HAHA AND YOU RIGHT... AND I JUST LAY HOLY HANDS... 

But in all honestly, I tell my parents and my youth, THEY WILL BE SOMETHING, THEY WONT BE NO THUGS THEY WONT BE NO BABY MOMMAS OR DADDY'S, NO _OES... (U FILL IN THE BLANK), THEY ARE GOING TO BE SOMEBODY IN LIFE, THEY WILL HAVE SOMETHING, THEY WILL BE AWESOME MEN AND WOMEN OF GOD, THEY WILL UPHOLD THEIRSELVES...AND NO MATTER WHAT IT TAKES FROM ME, I WILL SEE MY KIDS THOUGH

The sad thing is I am not even the Youth President, it is a big thing going on between him and me. (its a long story more so his part becaue he really does not like me, he is one of those knows everything and you can't tell him anything and it is his way or no way, big on his pride and a woman possibly cant know more or do better than him) he came in and took christmas plays, easter plays, everything from the kids, all the kids do is sit at church and look crazy...

But i don't let his ignorance stop me, I do most of my ministry outside the church and the kids love it and the parents respect me more than they do him

like one of my youth got drunk (17 years old, under peer pressure, in which i know for a fact he was) and instead of the parent calling our "youth president" she called me, I got him, we went to church that sunday, I talked to him and ministered to him, he stayed at my house for two days to sober up and things, i made him also write me a report on alcohol and what it does to the body, not only did he do my report but he told somebody that i am close to, if it was not for me and my sister (best friend who is named Kisha as well) taking him in, showing him love, and letting him know he is somebody, he would have tried ot kill his self (because even though the ppl he stay with go ot our church it is soem serious issues in their house) but anyways... so i deal with a lot at my church with my youth and i go the extra mile becasue we are bringing up good citizens and good men and women of God.

[Brittsings87]

LOL... thats funny! But nah... I don't touch ppl kids, even if they did give me permission  . The kids are good though, they LOVE me for some reason, even though I don't pay them any mind, one lil boy he's 5 he has a crush on me, its so cute! lol


But no, thats not something I did... I only know how to do hearts, I'ma try it though.

[BigFoot_BigThumb]

Just keep a switch beside you and all should go well.  Every now and then just swat it through the air and let them hear that "whiiiirrrr" and carry on.

[Brittsings87]

Just keep a switch beside you and all should go well.  Every now and then just swat it through the air and let them hear that "whiiiirrrr" and carry on.

 

[Brittsings87]

I'm glad God worked it out for you. 

Thanks!

[chevonee]

I'm sure you're going to do a great job Britt, don't worry things will work out.

Much prayer much pah-buh
Little prayer little pah-buh