Worship is so important. You plan it out. You have the latest cool songs. But the littles just won’t sing!
One of the main reasons littles won’t participate in worship is because the leaders aren’t singing. Are YOU singing? Do you know the song? Do you helpers and other leaders know the song? Are they singing? If you want littles to sing, you sing.
Another huge reason littles aren’t singing is that the music is not designed for their little voices. Vocal anatomy teaches about the vocal cords and young children have smaller, thinner vocal cords than adults. This means their vocal range is higher. Their range is most compatible with an adult soprano voice so listen for songs in a higher range. More on this HERE.
Too many words! Littles aren’t reading lyrics off a screen. It’s bet to introduce songs slowly. Maybe just teach the chorus first. If you’re using a worship video, sing the chorus to them first (before you turn on the video) and just have them dance or clap during the verses. If you don’t feel comfortable singing by yourself, just say the words and have them repeat them. The next time you sing it, just do sing the chorus again but you don’t have to introduce it. The next time, introduce the verse. Continue adding on slowly.
If you have motions with your songs, don’t make them complicated dance routine. They need to be simple and something that helps them memorize the song, not add to the confusion.
Littles are worshippers. And they are capable of worshipping with understanding if they’re given the tools to do so.
