How can you encourage the children to sing.

I have a hard time getting children to sing, unless there is a video in front of them, Does anyone have this problem too?

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Permalink Reply by Kate on November 11, 2008 at 9:26pm: Hello-
We had this problem. Then I found some DVDs that have the lyrics with movements in a music video type setting. The kids LOVE them. I have been told by several parents that the children are even singing the songs when at home, car, etc. They have noticed the change at home.

I would love to have a live band or praise team for our kids. Right now it's just not possible. They really connect with the DVDs we use. It's getting them to worship. We've only been using them for about 4 months. The kids are used to the format and are really responding well.

Hope that helps.
Kate; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tom Reusch on November 12, 2008 at 2:29pm: James Kennison introduced me to the concept of 'making your own worship videos' using Windows Movie Maker, a video background, a worship song, and lyrics over the video at applicable points of the song. Also, peanut butter makes this work too, but peanut butter makes everything better anyways.

I usually do live worship with a guitar (lost my drummer sadly....in freak drumming accident...not really) but sometimes I switch it up to keep things different.

As for 'getting kids to sing' I think it starts with the leadership. If my leaders aren't raising their hands to worship, or jumping up and down or doing any of the hand movements...neither will my kids. So I would suggest making sure your leaders are modeling the role. But that's just where I would start. :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Luke on November 12, 2008 at 2:35pm: i use two different things. i have one dvd that is called shout praises kids and is put out by integrity music, then i also use one called great worship songs for kids. but yes i do have a lil bit a of problem getting them to sings with our a visual. I think some of that problems goes to the fact that during our worship time is regular church we use iworship dvds. i always try to incorporate motions.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Greg Stanford on November 13, 2008 at 10:27pm: My children's worship is K-4th grade. When I find no one is singing, I try to get some of my forth grade boys up in front to help sing. It's funny, when the older guys are singing, they are all more likely to participate.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Michelle on November 13, 2008 at 11:41pm: I say leadership. Afterall, its not just about singing is it? Its about worship and connecting to the throne of God. The worship leader (for any age) definitely needs to practice what they're teaching. Afterall, how can you lead someone to a place you've never been - everyone's going to be walking around lost in the dark.
Lead by example - i have regular discussions with my leadership team about leading by example. Incorporate yourselves into the group and worship with them (typically with one eye open to thwart any rambuctions). If they don't see worship as something that is important for every teacher, helper, leader; etc. in the room then it might not seem important to them.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by SEEDS Family Worship - Jason Houser and the rest of the Seeds Team on November 14, 2008 at 4:35pm: The key is not only to have music that is catchy, but you can really engage them by including hand motions. Plus, if you, as a leader and adult, can be enthusiastic and encourage them by saying "I can't hear you!" almost every single kid wants to knock your socks off with their volume. Another way is to get them to jump up and down to the music or clap.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Michelle Ludge on November 16, 2008 at 12:23am: We have encountered that, however something that is working for us is having some of our older enthusiastic youth helping to lead. Our Children's Ministry encompasses k - 6th for worship, and some of our 5th & 6th graders really take it seriously. Kids seem to respond better to their peers than some of the leaders. We like the Made 2 Praise DVD's with lyrics....; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Aaron Vance on November 16, 2008 at 6:37pm: In my dad's children's church we tried to have a teenager (my dad had several teens working in various capacities every week in children's church-it worked pretty well,) or an adult as a main worship leader with either powerpoint slides or DVDs with the lyrics in the background. Than we'd also pull a few boys and a few girls of random ages to the front to help lead. We also used hand motions for many of the faster songs.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rich Adams on November 17, 2008 at 1:27pm: We have the same issues... and we did something a little different... we have motion bg's, lyrics and motion to the songs, but what really seemed to work was changing the music selections. We noticed the 4th and 5th graders were too cool and didnt like 'kid' songs.. We now do a lot of Crowder, Brewster, Tomlin, etc and the kids get into it... plus when the rest of the family can enjoy the music... its real nice.

We are also creating a line of motion/music videos... that I would love to get some feedback on... any feedback is helpful.

http://www.cmconnect.org/video/video/show?id=2099194%3AVideo%3A86923; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kendra Golden on November 18, 2008 at 10:28pm: High School Musical 1, 2, and now 3 are proof that kids like to sing and do choreographed motions to songs. Make sure your music choices are as cool as that. Our kids' favorite CD is from Jessie Beebe on www.kidstand.org. Several hits on one CD. We added videos with lyrics and moves though.

One easy thing to try is to dim the lights. That seems to make kids less self-conscious. A darkened room with fun-colored lights is ideal.

If you have trouble coming up with cool moves, some kids' movies now have dance moves to soundtrack songs on their DVD special features. You can rip off some moves they'll like from those. Great but tough choreography on the new Kung Fu Panda DVD menu. I also found some good dance ideas on YouTube searching for Hillsong kid videos.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Craig & Jill Anderson on November 20, 2008 at 10:52pm: I agree DVDs are great, a band is awesome, getting thje older kids to be a part of the worship team is very effective and lay leadership is crucial. Everyone needs to be in 100%. Check out the shows at Disneyland. You won't see any of the people that work for Disney leaning up against the wall having a cup of coffee. I guess the big question is... are we teaching our kids to observe or engage. We need to be the example.

"Growing Kids Into BIG Worshipers Of God" craig & jill anderson; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Christine Wahlstedt on November 25, 2008 at 2:00pm: Kendra Golden said:
High School Musical 1, 2, and now 3 are proof that kids like to sing and do choreographed motions to songs. Make sure your music choices are as cool as that. Our kids' favorite CD is from Jessie Beebe on www.kidstand.org. Several hits on one CD. We added videos with lyrics and moves though.

One easy thing to try is to dim the lights. That seems to make kids less self-conscious. A darkened room with fun-colored lights is ideal.

If you have trouble coming up with cool moves, some kids' movies now have dance moves to soundtrack songs on their DVD special features. You can rip off some moves they'll like from those. Great but tough choreography on the new Kung Fu Panda DVD menu. I also found some good dance ideas on YouTube searching for Hillsong kid videos.

I agree that dimming the lights really helps a lot! The other thing I do is let the kids who are singing hold the microphones. I have a karaoke/DVD set up that has two mics. Once the kids see the singing kids get a turn, they usually start participating.; ▶ Reply to This