Primary Design

Dear Mommy-blogger Primary Choristers,

I know it's super hip right now to have your graphic designer husband turn meaningful quotes into works of art by putting each word in a different font and using a choral/mint-inspired color scheme, and involving chevrons at some point.  I get it (kind of).  But teaching kids music is not an appropriate place for that.

Of the kids in the primary that can actually read, only a small percentage - if any - are at a level where they can fluently read words that are each a different font and color.  (Heck, I can barely do that most of the time.)  Most of the children in your primary are just learning how to read.  They're going to have a tough enough time reading words that are in one plain black font.  Especially when they have to read those words in rhythm, and remember the tune to a song, and are looking at the words from the stand when you are 3-4 rows back in the congregation.

"Well, this will just help them become more fluent readers!"  You might say.  And while I may or may not agree with that, here's the thing:  Primary time shouldn't be used to help kids learn how to read.  That's why they go to school - where they are under the supervision of numerous professionals who are trained to teach them how to read.  Their time in primary should be used to learn about Christ and start building that testimony that you want them to rely on for the rest of their lives.  If you're spending time with reading practice, you're missing the boat.

My point is, do the kids a solid and make the text part of your flip-charts, or poster boards, or whatever visual aides you make, an easy-to-read black font.  Accompany it with great pictures that the kids who can't read can use as a cue, and save the "artwork" for your Pinterest board.

Thanks.