Submitted by Linda Puccini, Union City, Indiana
Idea posted April 10, 2006
Here's one strategy that has worked for me:
I have the little ones rehearse the songs while standing as they would during the performance. Then I choose the most boisterous child, with the shortest attention span, to be my helper. The helper must (and this direction is give very solemnly) goof off behind my back and try to distract the others. (No sounds allowed and no flips or anything that might cause injury.) Silly faces, poses, and jumping around are the usual strategies. Any singer managing to look at me the entire song (or at least part of it, if nobody else does) gets a sticker.
If I have trouble remembering which students paid attention, I choose a helper to watch and remember who should receive a sticker. I change helpers with every song, as they all want to help of course! Then, you can choose students who have earned stickers for the helping honor. Some students will wind up with many stickers, and some will have none. Be sure to encourage ANY improvement, and the change will be apparent. Sometimes we have to teach them to pay attention. It's a skill that is so very important. My kids just love this activity, and it really increased their attention and focus capabilities. They were so proud of themselves when they improved, and it really paid off on performance day.