1 00:00:00,095 --> 00:00:00,135 - 2 00:00:03,765 --> 00:00:06,815 - Attention Youth Leaders, if you have recently been called 3 00:00:06,875 --> 00:00:10,495 to lead the rising generation, I have a next step for you. 4 00:00:10,915 --> 00:00:13,775 Listen to an awesome presentation by Yvonne Hubert 5 00:00:13,795 --> 00:00:16,295 and Peter Vidmar, who are both respective members 6 00:00:16,315 --> 00:00:18,975 of the young Women and Young Men General Advisory 7 00:00:18,975 --> 00:00:20,135 Council for the church. 8 00:00:20,545 --> 00:00:23,695 Their presentation really helps clarify ways on how 9 00:00:23,695 --> 00:00:25,455 to effectively lead the youth using 10 00:00:25,475 --> 00:00:26,735 the Children and Youth program. 11 00:00:27,205 --> 00:00:30,615 They also cover topics like youth led groups, how to lead 12 00:00:30,615 --> 00:00:33,575 through personal ministry, how to meet youth, where they are 13 00:00:34,335 --> 00:00:36,295 identifying the youth's strengths and capacities. 14 00:00:36,765 --> 00:00:38,055 This presentation is part 15 00:00:38,255 --> 00:00:39,895 of the Young Saints Virtual Library, 16 00:00:40,195 --> 00:00:42,655 and you can access it at no cost by going 17 00:00:42,655 --> 00:00:45,375 to leading saints.org/fourteen. 18 00:00:46,145 --> 00:00:48,295 Again, simply click the link in the show notes 19 00:00:48,295 --> 00:00:50,775 or go to leading saints.org/one four. 20 00:00:58,355 --> 00:01:01,415 So my name is Kurt Frankham, and I am the founder 21 00:01:01,515 --> 00:01:03,535 and executive director of Leading Saints, 22 00:01:03,555 --> 00:01:06,295 and obviously the host of the Leading Saints podcast. 23 00:01:06,515 --> 00:01:10,055 Now, I started Leading Saints back in 2010. 24 00:01:10,055 --> 00:01:12,855 It was just a hobby blog, and it grew from there. 25 00:01:12,955 --> 00:01:16,695 By the time, uh, 2014 came around, we started the podcast, 26 00:01:16,955 --> 00:01:18,335 and that's really when it got some, 27 00:01:18,715 --> 00:01:20,135 uh, traction and took off. 28 00:01:20,195 --> 00:01:24,575 Uh, 2016, we became a 5 0 1 C3 nonprofit organization, 29 00:01:24,715 --> 00:01:26,295 and we've been growing ever since. 30 00:01:26,315 --> 00:01:28,655 And now I get the opportunity of interviewing 31 00:01:28,675 --> 00:01:31,495 and talking with remarkable people all over the world. 32 00:01:31,955 --> 00:01:34,695 Now, this is a segment we do on the Leading Saints podcast 33 00:01:34,835 --> 00:01:38,455 called How I Lead, and we reach out to everyday leaders. 34 00:01:38,455 --> 00:01:41,735 They're not experts, gurus, authors, PhDs. 35 00:01:41,735 --> 00:01:43,695 They're just everyday leaders who've been asked 36 00:01:43,715 --> 00:01:45,935 to serve in a specific leadership calling. 37 00:01:45,955 --> 00:01:48,335 And we simply ask them, how is it that you lead? 38 00:01:48,555 --> 00:01:50,415 And they go through some remarkable principles 39 00:01:50,415 --> 00:01:53,135 that should be in a book that should be behind a PhD. 40 00:01:53,525 --> 00:01:54,815 They're usually that good. 41 00:01:55,195 --> 00:01:57,215 And, uh, we just talk about, uh, sharing 42 00:01:57,215 --> 00:01:58,255 what the other guy's doing. 43 00:01:58,555 --> 00:02:01,095 And I remember being a leader just simply wanting to know, 44 00:02:01,285 --> 00:02:02,815 okay, I know what I'm trying to do, 45 00:02:02,835 --> 00:02:03,935 but what's the other guy doing? 46 00:02:03,935 --> 00:02:06,495 What's working for him? And so that's why every Wednesday 47 00:02:06,495 --> 00:02:09,655 or so we publish these How I lead segments to share. 48 00:02:39,715 --> 00:02:42,215 Wow, guys, you're gonna love this episode. 49 00:02:42,495 --> 00:02:43,815 I had the opportunity to interview Jim 50 00:02:43,815 --> 00:02:46,255 and Marla West, who are from Salem, Oregon 51 00:02:46,905 --> 00:02:48,815 about being a nursery leader. 52 00:02:49,255 --> 00:02:52,255 I know you're thinking what's, what, what, 53 00:02:52,255 --> 00:02:53,495 what is there Eva to talk about? 54 00:02:53,525 --> 00:02:54,575 Kurt? Oh my goodness. 55 00:02:54,875 --> 00:02:56,935 As you can see by how long this episode is, 56 00:02:56,935 --> 00:02:58,055 this is a full episode. 57 00:02:58,175 --> 00:03:00,325 I usually aim for about 30 to 40 minutes on 58 00:03:00,325 --> 00:03:01,365 how I lead episodes. 59 00:03:01,745 --> 00:03:04,725 But no, we needed more time to get through all their tips, 60 00:03:04,785 --> 00:03:08,525 tricks and, and best practices and ideas. 61 00:03:08,745 --> 00:03:12,565 And whoa, so many good ideas that if, 62 00:03:12,665 --> 00:03:15,845 if you know inertial leader, you, I I beg you 63 00:03:15,985 --> 00:03:18,685 to send them this episode, they're gonna love it so much. 64 00:03:18,825 --> 00:03:21,165 Listen for just the little things they do as far 65 00:03:21,165 --> 00:03:22,725 as transitions with the kids, 66 00:03:23,105 --> 00:03:26,205 how they welcome the kids into nursery in a way that it, uh, 67 00:03:26,205 --> 00:03:27,965 help helps 'em feel comfortable so 68 00:03:27,965 --> 00:03:29,165 that they don't wanna cry. 69 00:03:29,165 --> 00:03:30,285 They only wanna stay 70 00:03:30,545 --> 00:03:32,405 and play with Play-Doh or whatever it is. 71 00:03:32,505 --> 00:03:35,725 And the, the way they focus on, uh, the 72 00:03:36,245 --> 00:03:38,365 children throughout it, and they're not focusing on 73 00:03:38,365 --> 00:03:39,885 conversations with other adults 74 00:03:39,885 --> 00:03:42,005 or things, it is so powerful their approach. 75 00:03:42,075 --> 00:03:45,085 This man, when I, when I record episodes like this, 76 00:03:45,305 --> 00:03:47,365 I'm just feel so much gratitude 77 00:03:47,365 --> 00:03:48,525 that this is what I get to do. 78 00:03:48,675 --> 00:03:50,765 Like, I get to talk with remarkable people 79 00:03:51,105 --> 00:03:54,845 who are magnifying their calling in such a remarkable ways. 80 00:03:55,465 --> 00:03:57,005 It is a true blessing. 81 00:03:57,145 --> 00:03:58,725 You're gonna love this, uh, as, 82 00:03:58,745 --> 00:04:00,085 as we talk about the nursery. 83 00:04:00,085 --> 00:04:03,205 And here's the thing, I hope everybody, everybody listens 84 00:04:03,205 --> 00:04:04,925 to this, even if you're not serving in primary, 85 00:04:05,435 --> 00:04:08,125 like in elders corn presidency, you can gain so much 86 00:04:08,855 --> 00:04:10,485 about their approach to nursery 87 00:04:10,485 --> 00:04:11,925 because you could do the same thing. 88 00:04:12,185 --> 00:04:14,845 Of course, you're, you may not get out the Tinker Toys in, 89 00:04:14,845 --> 00:04:17,885 in Elders Quorum, but hey, maybe you will, and why not? 90 00:04:18,295 --> 00:04:19,405 Maybe you could try it. Right? 91 00:04:19,505 --> 00:04:21,405 But what I'm saying is that just like how 92 00:04:21,405 --> 00:04:24,165 to build an environment, a learning environment, 93 00:04:24,725 --> 00:04:26,725 a reverent environment, a sacred environment 94 00:04:26,725 --> 00:04:28,365 where people look forward to coming 95 00:04:28,465 --> 00:04:32,445 and learning about the gospel in, in their own way. 96 00:04:32,985 --> 00:04:35,005 So this is great. Here's my interview with Jim 97 00:04:35,225 --> 00:04:36,285 and Marla West. 98 00:05:05,675 --> 00:05:07,425 Today I have the opportunity to welcome Jim 99 00:05:07,485 --> 00:05:09,865 and Marlo West to the Leading Saints podcast. 100 00:05:10,015 --> 00:05:11,015 Welcome. 101 00:05:11,515 --> 00:05:13,785 - Thank you. Glad to be here. Good afternoon. 102 00:05:14,565 --> 00:05:16,065 - Now, you, you two are in, uh, 103 00:05:16,235 --> 00:05:17,425 Salem, Oregon, is that right? 104 00:05:17,965 --> 00:05:21,145 - Yep. - Awesome. Great part of the country. I hear, 105 00:05:21,725 --> 00:05:24,145 - Oh, if you don't mind rain. 106 00:05:24,295 --> 00:05:27,225 It's fabulous, . It's beautiful. 107 00:05:28,005 --> 00:05:31,785 - That's awesome. And, uh, so I, what happened is I put out, 108 00:05:31,805 --> 00:05:34,265 uh, every week I send out the newsletter that goes about, 109 00:05:34,415 --> 00:05:36,025 goes out every Tuesday or Wednesday, 110 00:05:36,165 --> 00:05:39,665 and I usually put a question of the week in the newsletter, 111 00:05:39,765 --> 00:05:42,505 and it is as random as can be as, 112 00:05:42,685 --> 00:05:46,105 but I'll all falling within the realm of church leadership. 113 00:05:46,165 --> 00:05:50,105 And so I have a three-year-old girl who's so sweet. 114 00:05:50,165 --> 00:05:51,425 And every week 115 00:05:51,435 --> 00:05:55,065 after, uh, sacrament meeting, I walk her down to nursery 116 00:05:55,125 --> 00:05:57,965 and, and, uh, some weeks she'll run in there. 117 00:05:57,965 --> 00:05:59,605 Other weeks she'll grab onto my leg. 118 00:05:59,705 --> 00:06:01,125 But, uh, 119 00:06:01,315 --> 00:06:03,325 nonetheless, I think generally she loves nursery. 120 00:06:03,325 --> 00:06:05,925 So I thought, Hmm, I wonder if there's some best practices 121 00:06:05,925 --> 00:06:07,965 people have out there as far as succeeding 122 00:06:08,385 --> 00:06:11,325 as either the nursery leader or nursery teacher. 123 00:06:11,825 --> 00:06:14,445 Um, and so I put the question out there, what are some best 124 00:06:15,045 --> 00:06:17,365 practices for, uh, nursery leaders 125 00:06:17,465 --> 00:06:18,965 or those who, who run the nursery? 126 00:06:19,345 --> 00:06:23,005 And Marla, you sent me a list, I mean, a a point 127 00:06:23,065 --> 00:06:25,245 by point list of some suggestions you found. 128 00:06:25,705 --> 00:06:27,005 And, uh, so I was intrigued. 129 00:06:27,105 --> 00:06:30,365 And then, uh, you told me that you, is it, you 130 00:06:30,365 --> 00:06:32,285 and your husband both have 27 plus years 131 00:06:32,285 --> 00:06:33,845 of nursery experience, right? 132 00:06:34,155 --> 00:06:36,325 - Yeah, we do. We do her, 133 00:06:36,615 --> 00:06:38,045 - She's done it more than I have, 134 00:06:38,185 --> 00:06:40,765 but I, I've been in there for, I don't know, 135 00:06:40,765 --> 00:06:42,485 it seems like about 20 years, probably 136 00:06:43,165 --> 00:06:44,165 - . 137 00:06:44,165 --> 00:06:44,765 Okay, . And why is that? 138 00:06:44,785 --> 00:06:47,565 You just have an, uh, the nursery leader look . 139 00:06:47,995 --> 00:06:49,005 - Yeah, I think that's it. 140 00:06:49,185 --> 00:06:53,285 No, we have, uh, sons, a lot of sons, 141 00:06:53,505 --> 00:06:54,565 and when they were little, 142 00:06:55,435 --> 00:06:58,685 they would not go into nursery without one of us there. 143 00:06:59,145 --> 00:07:01,765 And eventually, you know, 144 00:07:02,215 --> 00:07:06,125 40 years ago I was called to serve in nursery 145 00:07:06,425 --> 00:07:07,685 for my son's sake. 146 00:07:08,345 --> 00:07:11,925 And ever since, uh, we've just loved it. 147 00:07:12,305 --> 00:07:13,405 - Wow, that's awesome. 148 00:07:13,905 --> 00:07:16,725 And over the years, picked up some, some best practices 149 00:07:16,725 --> 00:07:18,085 that, uh, serve you well, and, 150 00:07:18,105 --> 00:07:20,765 and you were just recently released as, uh, 151 00:07:20,765 --> 00:07:21,925 from the nursery, is that right? 152 00:07:22,465 --> 00:07:24,565 - Yes. Yes. - Awesome. Awesome. 153 00:07:25,235 --> 00:07:27,805 Well, um, I mean, how would you, uh, and 154 00:07:27,805 --> 00:07:30,125 and feel free either one of you to chime in when, 155 00:07:30,125 --> 00:07:31,205 when you feel so inspired, 156 00:07:31,265 --> 00:07:34,445 but like, where would you like set the groundwork at the 157 00:07:34,445 --> 00:07:38,485 foundation of this discussion about, uh, leading in nursery? 158 00:07:39,025 --> 00:07:41,365 Um, and again, it's one of the, you know, nursery leaders, 159 00:07:41,465 --> 00:07:44,045 one of the few callings, uh, like music leader 160 00:07:44,045 --> 00:07:47,565 that has the actual word leader in it, in the title. 161 00:07:47,985 --> 00:07:50,805 So what, what, what advice would you start with 162 00:07:50,825 --> 00:07:53,925 for somebody who's just starting as the nursery leader or, 163 00:07:54,065 --> 00:07:56,285 or starting in the nursery? 164 00:07:57,075 --> 00:07:58,805 - Well, for one, I think you need 165 00:07:58,805 --> 00:08:00,485 to read the manual that the 166 00:08:00,485 --> 00:08:01,965 - Church, oh, imagine that - . 167 00:08:02,445 --> 00:08:06,245 I actually, even though I've put in about 27 plus years, 168 00:08:06,415 --> 00:08:09,885 every time I'm called as nursery leader, 169 00:08:10,245 --> 00:08:12,085 I reread the manual. 170 00:08:12,385 --> 00:08:15,205 Mm-Hmm. . And I wanna be up to date with 171 00:08:15,835 --> 00:08:18,845 what the church's vision is for that group. 172 00:08:19,395 --> 00:08:20,565 - Yeah. And this, 173 00:08:20,625 --> 00:08:22,045 and when you say the manual, is 174 00:08:22,045 --> 00:08:24,685 that in the general handbook in the primary section? 175 00:08:24,945 --> 00:08:26,245 Or is that what you're referring to? 176 00:08:26,835 --> 00:08:29,445 - Yeah, there's a book just for primary 177 00:08:29,865 --> 00:08:31,525 for leaders and Oh, okay. 178 00:08:31,665 --> 00:08:35,445 We have a section for nursery leaders and teachers. 179 00:08:35,905 --> 00:08:39,645 And I always go back to the basics and get that down 180 00:08:39,745 --> 00:08:43,445 and remind myself of the church's vision 181 00:08:44,465 --> 00:08:46,605 for nursery. Yeah. 182 00:08:47,145 --> 00:08:49,205 - And I think that vision is really, 183 00:08:49,205 --> 00:08:51,325 that it's more than toy time. 184 00:08:51,795 --> 00:08:55,125 It's more than a place for parents to, to 185 00:08:55,835 --> 00:08:58,365 drop the kids off just so that they can escape 186 00:08:58,385 --> 00:08:59,805 to an adult class kind of thing. 187 00:08:59,985 --> 00:09:02,805 Um, you know, I believe that the vision 188 00:09:02,865 --> 00:09:07,565 for nursery is really that it's a, um, a sacred time 189 00:09:07,585 --> 00:09:09,725 for children to become introduced to 190 00:09:10,285 --> 00:09:14,885 a more formal gospel experience where they learn how 191 00:09:14,885 --> 00:09:18,795 to come feel the Holy Ghost, be eager to 192 00:09:19,305 --> 00:09:21,955 participate, you know, actually look forward to it. 193 00:09:22,655 --> 00:09:25,435 Um, and then it's a real class, not 194 00:09:26,485 --> 00:09:27,975 just toys and snacks. 195 00:09:28,195 --> 00:09:32,655 And yeah. So by having that sort of a, a approach to it, 196 00:09:33,315 --> 00:09:37,095 it really helps kids, um, I think, um, 197 00:09:37,605 --> 00:09:39,935 prepare themselves for the primary experience. 198 00:09:40,035 --> 00:09:43,495 You know, the, where they sit in chairs and they sing, 199 00:09:43,875 --> 00:09:46,815 and they are with lots of other children. 200 00:09:47,795 --> 00:09:49,885 - Yeah, that's, I mean, it's so easy to overlook, 201 00:09:49,905 --> 00:09:52,525 but it's so true because as a parent, sometimes I feel like, 202 00:09:52,905 --> 00:09:54,525 ah, you know, I gotta get to Sunday school. 203 00:09:54,525 --> 00:09:57,365 Here's my, here's my child, type of thing. Right. . 204 00:09:57,745 --> 00:10:00,325 But yeah. And I, and I appreciate those and, 205 00:10:00,325 --> 00:10:02,765 and my current nursery leaders, they do such a good job 206 00:10:02,765 --> 00:10:04,805 with, you know, I, I peek in there from time to time, 207 00:10:04,805 --> 00:10:06,125 and they're sitting on chairs 208 00:10:06,185 --> 00:10:07,725 or there's, there's some structure to it. 209 00:10:07,725 --> 00:10:10,325 Right. And so that's important to begin introducing 210 00:10:10,325 --> 00:10:11,605 that in a church setting to those, 211 00:10:11,855 --> 00:10:13,485 those young, uh, hearts and minds. 212 00:10:13,905 --> 00:10:18,285 - Yes. And a lot of people are unaware that you can start 213 00:10:18,315 --> 00:10:22,565 that structure very young, that when we teach nursery, 214 00:10:22,825 --> 00:10:26,685 we expect the kids to follow the structure we've set up, 215 00:10:27,225 --> 00:10:31,125 and children thrive on structure and consistency. 216 00:10:31,385 --> 00:10:35,765 So when we have the same kind of module every week 217 00:10:35,875 --> 00:10:38,485 that we follow, they're good with that. 218 00:10:38,675 --> 00:10:40,925 They like it, it makes them feel secure. 219 00:10:40,955 --> 00:10:43,565 They're ready to come in, they know what's coming. 220 00:10:44,355 --> 00:10:45,485 - Yeah. And I would imagine 221 00:10:45,485 --> 00:10:47,845 that really helps in the long term, as you know, 222 00:10:48,525 --> 00:10:50,765 I think we all go through it as parents, where the child 223 00:10:50,865 --> 00:10:53,325 for a while does, just really has a lot 224 00:10:53,325 --> 00:10:55,685 of anxiety being left in there from, you know, 225 00:10:55,815 --> 00:10:57,045 apart from their, their parents. 226 00:10:57,145 --> 00:10:59,045 But that structure and familiarity 227 00:10:59,065 --> 00:11:00,925 and consistency can really do a lot 228 00:11:00,925 --> 00:11:02,005 to help a child feel welcome. 229 00:11:02,675 --> 00:11:07,085 - Yeah, it does. And it, in the past we've had some children 230 00:11:07,385 --> 00:11:10,165 who are reluctant to come for whatever reason, 231 00:11:10,865 --> 00:11:13,565 and we'll actually go visit them at their home. 232 00:11:14,155 --> 00:11:16,805 Okay. And maybe bring a treat or a game 233 00:11:17,145 --> 00:11:20,725 or play with them with a toy that's familiar to them, 234 00:11:20,985 --> 00:11:23,605 and we kind of engage with them 235 00:11:24,365 --> 00:11:26,045 the same way we would in our class. 236 00:11:26,945 --> 00:11:31,805 And when we do that, the children are much more, uh, eager 237 00:11:32,025 --> 00:11:33,605 and ready to come to nursery. 238 00:11:34,275 --> 00:11:36,365 - Yeah. Wow. What a great, I mean, it seems so, 239 00:11:36,595 --> 00:11:37,845 like, why, why haven't I thought of that? 240 00:11:37,845 --> 00:11:40,245 Or anybody else? But, uh, that's so practical, but so true. 241 00:11:40,315 --> 00:11:42,365 Just yeah. You know, giving them, uh, 242 00:11:42,505 --> 00:11:45,405 coming into their world first, getting them comfortable 243 00:11:45,405 --> 00:11:47,325 with you and then inviting them into the 244 00:11:47,325 --> 00:11:48,565 church world, you know, so. 245 00:11:48,755 --> 00:11:50,405 Exactly. Awesome. 246 00:11:51,045 --> 00:11:53,565 Anything else when it comes to, like, the vision of nursery 247 00:11:53,565 --> 00:11:55,325 that we wanna make sure we, we discuss 248 00:11:55,325 --> 00:11:56,445 before we, we move on? 249 00:11:57,035 --> 00:11:59,045 - Well, I, I think another thing that Jim 250 00:11:59,045 --> 00:12:02,925 and I talk about a lot is, um, uh, 251 00:12:03,035 --> 00:12:05,045 this pertains to church culture. 252 00:12:06,105 --> 00:12:09,365 The, like Jim had mentioned a lot of the church culture, 253 00:12:09,785 --> 00:12:12,805 the church members idea about nursery is 254 00:12:13,435 --> 00:12:14,805 toys and snacks. 255 00:12:15,105 --> 00:12:17,925 But yeah, we also noticed that 256 00:12:18,555 --> 00:12:20,885 when you hear the vernacular that 257 00:12:21,445 --> 00:12:25,165 surrounds talking about nursery, people will often 258 00:12:25,835 --> 00:12:30,685 make the judgment that nurseries at the bottom Mm-Hmm. 259 00:12:30,725 --> 00:12:32,685 and being the prophet is at the 260 00:12:32,685 --> 00:12:34,405 top . And there's, 261 00:12:34,745 --> 00:12:36,365 - Are we, I'm guilty, Marla. 262 00:12:36,425 --> 00:12:38,845 I'm guilty. I've, I've done so many interviews 263 00:12:39,025 --> 00:12:42,365 and I always use this nursery as a scapegoat, as like, well, 264 00:12:42,365 --> 00:12:44,165 of course never, nobody wants to work in the nursery. 265 00:12:44,405 --> 00:12:45,445 I miss, it's not my like, 266 00:12:45,445 --> 00:12:47,325 number one calling, but you're right. 267 00:12:47,525 --> 00:12:50,405 I should, I, I repent publicly right now. 268 00:12:50,805 --> 00:12:52,885 - . There you go. We appreciate it, . 269 00:12:52,885 --> 00:12:55,685 But we hear this a lot, this idea of, um, 270 00:12:56,625 --> 00:12:59,805 all the way down from the nursery up to the prophet, 271 00:13:00,185 --> 00:13:01,645 you know, everybody's important. 272 00:13:01,905 --> 00:13:03,525 And I think, wait a minute, 273 00:13:04,225 --> 00:13:07,565 you don't put nursery kids on a bottom rung 274 00:13:07,745 --> 00:13:09,245 of the ladder . 275 00:13:09,245 --> 00:13:11,245 That's just not where they belong. Yeah. 276 00:13:11,385 --> 00:13:14,325 And so we'd like to see that change in the church. 277 00:13:14,715 --> 00:13:19,165 That idea that serving in the nursery is somehow 278 00:13:20,455 --> 00:13:24,485 takes less spiritual energy, less listening 279 00:13:24,545 --> 00:13:29,345 to the spirit, or less intelligence, 280 00:13:29,545 --> 00:13:31,065 I guess, than any other calling. 281 00:13:31,415 --> 00:13:32,985 It's just not true. Yeah. 282 00:13:33,015 --> 00:13:36,385 When you're in nursery, it takes just as much preparation 283 00:13:36,845 --> 00:13:38,865 and feeling the Holy Ghost 284 00:13:39,285 --> 00:13:41,825 and knowing what each child is going to need. 285 00:13:42,655 --> 00:13:45,105 That is just like any other calling. 286 00:13:45,685 --> 00:13:47,865 - Oh, I love that. I'm so glad you, you highlighted that. 287 00:13:48,985 --> 00:13:50,385 - I think you know, that you're, you're, 288 00:13:50,385 --> 00:13:51,385 you've been successful. 289 00:13:51,385 --> 00:13:55,275 When you have parents say that as soon as SAAC means over, 290 00:13:55,455 --> 00:13:58,475 or, or, uh, you know, the kids are running for nursery 291 00:13:58,535 --> 00:14:02,115 or during the weekday they wake up and say, is it Sunday? 292 00:14:02,705 --> 00:14:03,955 Yeah. And, you know, 293 00:14:03,955 --> 00:14:07,705 and that's the, that's the experience that we try to have 294 00:14:07,725 --> 00:14:09,345 for, for the children. Mm-Hmm. . 295 00:14:10,075 --> 00:14:11,205 - Love it. That's awesome. 296 00:14:11,865 --> 00:14:13,405 Um, do you wanna just, uh, 297 00:14:13,405 --> 00:14:15,525 maybe we'll take the whole just experience 298 00:14:15,525 --> 00:14:17,525 of nursery from walking into the door from the, 299 00:14:17,545 --> 00:14:18,925 the parent pickup and just see 300 00:14:18,925 --> 00:14:21,005 what best practices come up or principles. 301 00:14:21,195 --> 00:14:22,725 Yeah. Is that a good way to do it? That's good. 302 00:14:22,785 --> 00:14:24,285 Mm-Hmm, . Cool. Alright. 303 00:14:24,345 --> 00:14:27,765 So, uh, sacrament's over sacrament meeting's over where you, 304 00:14:27,765 --> 00:14:29,605 uh, the parents are headed your way. 305 00:14:30,105 --> 00:14:33,005 Uh, where, where do you begin with the, some ideas? 306 00:14:34,365 --> 00:14:37,885 - Actually, the experience for us started, uh, an hour 307 00:14:38,635 --> 00:14:43,045 plus ago in that we, we got there ahead 308 00:14:43,045 --> 00:14:45,885 of sacrament meeting, set everything up, 309 00:14:46,185 --> 00:14:47,565 the table's all ready to go. 310 00:14:48,225 --> 00:14:50,325 The Play-Doh is out, all the other stuff. 311 00:14:50,545 --> 00:14:52,005 So that, that, uh, 312 00:14:52,265 --> 00:14:55,245 and you know, the music's ready to go so that 313 00:14:55,385 --> 00:14:57,885 by the time the children leave sacrament meeting, 314 00:14:57,955 --> 00:15:01,445 they're walking into, um, a room 315 00:15:01,945 --> 00:15:02,965 that's ready for them. 316 00:15:03,435 --> 00:15:05,925 They can hear the, the, the quiet music. 317 00:15:06,675 --> 00:15:09,005 They feel comfortable, Hey, 318 00:15:09,005 --> 00:15:10,365 there's interesting things there. 319 00:15:10,525 --> 00:15:14,245 I can come sit down, I can begin to kind of engage 320 00:15:14,275 --> 00:15:15,605 with us as the teachers. 321 00:15:16,145 --> 00:15:18,205 And that would be the beginning. Yeah. 322 00:15:18,235 --> 00:15:19,965 - What, and that's so true. 'cause you think about 323 00:15:20,925 --> 00:15:24,025 any other, you know, uh, second hour meeting, you know, 324 00:15:24,025 --> 00:15:26,905 if I, if I walk in as an adult, I walk into Sunday school 325 00:15:26,925 --> 00:15:28,905 and the teacher's not there, it's fine. 326 00:15:28,905 --> 00:15:30,065 It's like, no problem. You know, 327 00:15:30,065 --> 00:15:32,305 they're probably gathering some items or whatnot, 328 00:15:32,405 --> 00:15:33,945 and I can sit here until they're ready. 329 00:15:34,005 --> 00:15:37,505 But for a child, it's gonna be mean a little bit more when 330 00:15:37,505 --> 00:15:39,545 they walk in actually see their, 331 00:15:39,545 --> 00:15:40,865 their nursery people. Right. 332 00:15:41,215 --> 00:15:43,625 - Exactly. And not only do they see us, 333 00:15:43,685 --> 00:15:47,185 but we're already engaged in the activity 334 00:15:47,315 --> 00:15:48,745 we're inviting them to do. 335 00:15:49,245 --> 00:15:51,145 Oh yeah. So when they come in, one 336 00:15:51,145 --> 00:15:54,025 of us is sitting at the table, uh, 337 00:15:54,125 --> 00:15:56,025 and we always start with Play-Doh simply 338 00:15:56,025 --> 00:15:59,305 because it's a great, uh, draw you in activity. 339 00:15:59,885 --> 00:16:04,145 One of us is already sitting at the table interacting 340 00:16:04,215 --> 00:16:05,265 with the Play-Doh. 341 00:16:05,405 --> 00:16:08,225 Oh my God. When we see them come to the door, we, 342 00:16:08,565 --> 00:16:10,265 we ask them to come play with us. 343 00:16:11,055 --> 00:16:12,505 - Yeah. Isn't that ? 344 00:16:12,505 --> 00:16:14,545 Because usually it's like, okay, 345 00:16:14,545 --> 00:16:15,665 I'm gonna set you down child, 346 00:16:15,665 --> 00:16:17,825 and now I'm going to exit as quickly as possible. 347 00:16:17,855 --> 00:16:20,105 It's like that first moment can feel like this is 348 00:16:20,105 --> 00:16:21,225 the part where I get abandoned. 349 00:16:21,615 --> 00:16:24,425 Okay. And cr and cry and tell, I forget about it. 350 00:16:24,525 --> 00:16:26,945 But to make it the part of the, where we play, 351 00:16:27,045 --> 00:16:28,545 and here it is, look, he's already playing. 352 00:16:28,545 --> 00:16:30,825 Walk over to the table, jump in, grab some playdoh. Yeah. 353 00:16:31,365 --> 00:16:33,025 - And we don't shut the door. 354 00:16:34,205 --> 00:16:37,145 So we've noticed over the years of doing nursery 355 00:16:37,145 --> 00:16:38,705 that when we would shut the door, 356 00:16:39,825 --> 00:16:40,945 children would feel trapped. 357 00:16:41,055 --> 00:16:43,465 Like their parents were in another world 358 00:16:43,725 --> 00:16:44,865 and they were in this world. 359 00:16:45,285 --> 00:16:49,265 So we quickly figured out that if we prop the door open 360 00:16:50,045 --> 00:16:53,105 and we, they can see their parents standing in the doorway, 361 00:16:53,285 --> 00:16:57,345 and we say to them, you may leave anytime you'd like, 362 00:16:57,525 --> 00:16:58,865 you don't have to stay here, 363 00:16:59,205 --> 00:17:02,705 but we think you'll wanna stay here 'cause we're having fun. 364 00:17:03,505 --> 00:17:05,945 so the door stays open. . 365 00:17:06,425 --> 00:17:10,355 - I, I think in all those years we've probably only had two 366 00:17:10,415 --> 00:17:14,315 or three kids that actually would try to go Mm-Hmm. 367 00:17:14,355 --> 00:17:15,115 - . Yeah. The 368 00:17:15,275 --> 00:17:16,315 runners. Right. Sometimes you have, 369 00:17:17,215 --> 00:17:19,035 - But it's very, very few, you know, once, uh, 370 00:17:19,035 --> 00:17:22,715 after about two weeks, they realize it's a safe place 371 00:17:23,615 --> 00:17:25,435 and they might go to the door 372 00:17:25,435 --> 00:17:27,475 and even step, uh, you know, out 373 00:17:27,575 --> 00:17:30,395 and look around a little bit, but then they come back. 374 00:17:30,695 --> 00:17:32,995 - Oh, that's man's such, such great advice. Okay. 375 00:17:32,995 --> 00:17:34,635 So that's sort of, you're there. 376 00:17:34,655 --> 00:17:37,515 So you're, you're sort of, you start off with some play and, 377 00:17:37,535 --> 00:17:39,595 and I think there's some things you do with just the music 378 00:17:39,695 --> 00:17:42,755 and sort of the, the environment as a whole 379 00:17:42,755 --> 00:17:44,875 that's welcoming, welcoming them, right? 380 00:17:45,305 --> 00:17:49,925 - Yeah. We do, um, we do put on some kind of, uh, classical 381 00:17:50,105 --> 00:17:52,885 or I, I would call it spa type music, 382 00:17:53,385 --> 00:17:55,525 but we never put music on with voices. 383 00:17:56,025 --> 00:17:57,645 And this is an important thing 384 00:17:57,645 --> 00:18:01,325 because some nurseries have encouraged the leaders 385 00:18:01,545 --> 00:18:04,965 to play the primary music, which is fine 386 00:18:04,965 --> 00:18:06,725 during other times of the day. 387 00:18:06,745 --> 00:18:10,285 But we have found when, when we welcome them in, they need 388 00:18:10,285 --> 00:18:13,245 to feel like there aren't so many children in the room. 389 00:18:14,145 --> 00:18:17,845 And when you play music with voices psychologically, 390 00:18:17,865 --> 00:18:19,245 it sets the child up 391 00:18:19,265 --> 00:18:21,645 for more people in the room than is necessary. 392 00:18:22,185 --> 00:18:25,165 So we don't, we play music with no voices 393 00:18:25,735 --> 00:18:27,645 until we have a singing time moment, 394 00:18:27,715 --> 00:18:29,725 because they need to know 395 00:18:29,985 --> 00:18:31,885 who they see there is who is there. 396 00:18:32,475 --> 00:18:34,045 Yeah. And so we do that. 397 00:18:34,185 --> 00:18:38,365 And then we do also something a little unique in that 398 00:18:39,105 --> 00:18:42,285 we pick a scent for the children, we spray it in the room, 399 00:18:42,305 --> 00:18:46,405 and it has to be a natural product like orange oil 400 00:18:46,515 --> 00:18:50,485 with no chemicals, no possible allergens. 401 00:18:51,025 --> 00:18:54,245 And we spray it in the room so that when they come in, 402 00:18:54,795 --> 00:18:59,535 they immediately connect that scent with their experience. 403 00:18:59,535 --> 00:19:02,215 Because, you know, brain research shows us that 404 00:19:03,205 --> 00:19:06,455 olfactory senses are the only ones 405 00:19:06,665 --> 00:19:08,935 where memories are not routed 406 00:19:08,935 --> 00:19:10,855 through any other brain system. 407 00:19:11,405 --> 00:19:14,135 When it comes through the nose, it goes straight 408 00:19:14,195 --> 00:19:15,775 to the brain for memories. 409 00:19:16,355 --> 00:19:19,295 And so that's why when you smell a certain scent, 410 00:19:19,295 --> 00:19:22,095 you're immediately taken back Yeah. 411 00:19:22,315 --> 00:19:23,455 To a time in your life. 412 00:19:23,915 --> 00:19:27,175 And we've had, um, primary children later come to us 413 00:19:27,315 --> 00:19:29,735 and they'll smell the scent in the church 414 00:19:29,795 --> 00:19:34,295 and they'll say, oh, nursery . 415 00:19:34,835 --> 00:19:36,855 And that's what we want . Yeah, 416 00:19:37,205 --> 00:19:38,205 - Yeah. 417 00:19:38,205 --> 00:19:40,095 Yeah. And so the one thing I, I wanna highlight here 418 00:19:40,095 --> 00:19:42,975 that I hope that people don't see the title of this episode 419 00:19:43,075 --> 00:19:45,495 and skip over it if they serve an elders corn release study. 420 00:19:45,735 --> 00:19:47,215 'cause these are great ideas, 421 00:19:47,435 --> 00:19:49,695 but so applicable no matter where you serve. 422 00:19:49,765 --> 00:19:51,495 Like there's no reason why you, 423 00:19:51,595 --> 00:19:53,055 you couldn't start Elders corn with a, 424 00:19:53,175 --> 00:19:56,335 a certain song playing, or just some environmental cues 425 00:19:56,335 --> 00:19:59,215 that really absolutely shift the brain in a way 426 00:19:59,215 --> 00:20:01,015 that helps 'em be more present in that, 427 00:20:01,015 --> 00:20:02,175 in that meeting. Right. 428 00:20:02,205 --> 00:20:04,255 - Yeah. It, it totally is applicable. 429 00:20:04,715 --> 00:20:09,255 Any kind of thing that, um, helps the brain to absorb 430 00:20:09,925 --> 00:20:12,615 information and to have a good experience. 431 00:20:12,815 --> 00:20:15,855 I say it's, it's should be ubiquitous to all 432 00:20:16,755 --> 00:20:18,015 groups in the church. 433 00:20:19,015 --> 00:20:20,615 - I think one of the challenges, one 434 00:20:20,615 --> 00:20:23,455 of the challenges we've had is that with the new format 435 00:20:24,105 --> 00:20:27,535 where nursery is now only an hour, it used 436 00:20:27,535 --> 00:20:29,055 to be almost two hours. 437 00:20:29,755 --> 00:20:34,535 And, um, it's actually hard for us to fit everything in 438 00:20:34,535 --> 00:20:36,575 that we would like to do with the children. 439 00:20:37,205 --> 00:20:40,215 Yeah. Wow. To be able to sing, to have a snack, to 440 00:20:40,845 --> 00:20:44,815 introduce maybe some larger small motor skills, you know, 441 00:20:45,075 --> 00:20:49,445 um, help them learn how to use scissors or, 442 00:20:49,825 --> 00:20:51,365 or do watercolors 443 00:20:51,665 --> 00:20:54,885 or, uh, you know, a variety of different things 444 00:20:54,885 --> 00:20:56,645 that we would try to introduce to children. 445 00:20:57,505 --> 00:21:01,485 Um, it's hard to find, um, to fit it all in. Yeah. 446 00:21:01,485 --> 00:21:02,765 - There's not enough time anymore. 447 00:21:02,985 --> 00:21:04,405 We liked the old way 448 00:21:04,405 --> 00:21:07,325 where nursery was two hours long, 449 00:21:07,545 --> 00:21:10,685 but it was the perfect amount of time to be able 450 00:21:10,685 --> 00:21:14,645 to introduce all these new skills that revolve around 451 00:21:15,465 --> 00:21:17,525 the spiritual topic of the day 452 00:21:17,525 --> 00:21:19,365 that we're teaching from the manual. 453 00:21:19,625 --> 00:21:21,645 And yeah, now we have to condense it. 454 00:21:21,705 --> 00:21:24,325 We gotta be on our toes now. Yeah, 455 00:21:24,365 --> 00:21:25,365 - I bet so. 456 00:21:25,365 --> 00:21:27,165 I bet. So how'd you learn all this stuff? 457 00:21:27,185 --> 00:21:29,485 Do you have a background in, in some of this stuff, or, 458 00:21:29,985 --> 00:21:31,245 - Oh, well, Jim's an engineer. 459 00:21:31,305 --> 00:21:33,085 You know, engineers do all that. 460 00:21:34,085 --> 00:21:36,045 - Actually Marla's more of an educator. 461 00:21:36,225 --> 00:21:38,525 So, you know, a lot of these things came from her. Gotcha. 462 00:21:39,035 --> 00:21:42,245 - Okay. That's cool. And, and, and I'm sure a lot of trial 463 00:21:42,245 --> 00:21:43,845 and there as well as you were working with kids 464 00:21:43,865 --> 00:21:45,485 and learning some things and Yeah. 465 00:21:45,505 --> 00:21:47,605 That's awesome. Um, so I love this. 466 00:21:47,605 --> 00:21:50,765 So it sounds like, uh, the, that playtime sort 467 00:21:50,765 --> 00:21:53,245 of the free play time is generally just at the beginning. 468 00:21:53,345 --> 00:21:55,405 For how long do you, would you say that lasts? 469 00:21:56,215 --> 00:21:59,615 - 15 minutes or so? Mm-Hmm. . Yeah. Okay. Yeah. 470 00:21:59,915 --> 00:22:03,695 In fact, uh, with the new format being less than an hour, 471 00:22:03,695 --> 00:22:05,015 really in nursery, 472 00:22:06,125 --> 00:22:08,655 most Sundays we actually don't even get the toys out. 473 00:22:09,325 --> 00:22:12,785 - Wow. Yeah. I'd say we probably only pulled toys out on, 474 00:22:13,085 --> 00:22:14,865 um, holidays. 475 00:22:15,175 --> 00:22:18,025 Like when we were preparing a Mother's Day project 476 00:22:18,095 --> 00:22:20,745 with the kids, while we were working 477 00:22:20,815 --> 00:22:22,505 with each individual child, 478 00:22:22,685 --> 00:22:24,705 the other children needed something to do. 479 00:22:25,365 --> 00:22:28,385 So we actually let them pull out toys on that Sunday. 480 00:22:28,845 --> 00:22:31,185 But most of the time we don't have time for toys. 481 00:22:31,335 --> 00:22:33,225 There's no time for that now. So 482 00:22:33,725 --> 00:22:34,725 - Wow. 483 00:22:34,725 --> 00:22:34,985 That's such a paradigm shift 484 00:22:34,985 --> 00:22:36,465 with nursery. I love that. Yeah. They 485 00:22:36,465 --> 00:22:37,465 - Don't even ask. 486 00:22:37,465 --> 00:22:38,905 Yeah. Although we do get them out 487 00:22:38,905 --> 00:22:41,105 because one of the favorite things the kids like 488 00:22:41,105 --> 00:22:42,625 to do is wash the toys. 489 00:22:42,885 --> 00:22:46,425 - That's our service. So when we have a lesson about Jesus 490 00:22:47,505 --> 00:22:50,225 teaching us to serve, or him serving others, 491 00:22:50,885 --> 00:22:54,225 we will bring in some big huge bins of warm water 492 00:22:54,725 --> 00:22:57,665 and the children get to wash the toys, 493 00:22:58,125 --> 00:23:00,545 and that's their service to the ward. 494 00:23:00,895 --> 00:23:02,505 - It's a nice, it's one of their favorites. 495 00:23:03,205 --> 00:23:05,425 - So at the beginning when you mentioned like the Play-Doh, 496 00:23:05,425 --> 00:23:06,505 for example, the Play-Doh, 497 00:23:06,505 --> 00:23:08,305 you don't really necessarily consider that toy time. 498 00:23:08,305 --> 00:23:11,105 It's just like focus playtime on Play-Doh, right? Yeah. 499 00:23:11,105 --> 00:23:13,305 - That's just the attention getter. Exactly. 500 00:23:13,535 --> 00:23:14,785 - Yeah. Okay. All right. 501 00:23:14,785 --> 00:23:16,665 Well, any, anything else that we left out as far as 502 00:23:16,665 --> 00:23:19,505 that first part, you know, the, that first 15 minutes or, 503 00:23:20,125 --> 00:23:22,545 - Uh, we don't let parents come in and visit with us. 504 00:23:22,775 --> 00:23:26,185 They're welcome to come in, anybody's welcome to come 505 00:23:26,185 --> 00:23:28,025 and visit nursery Uhhuh. 506 00:23:28,045 --> 00:23:32,905 But our number one cardinal rule about nursery is don't talk 507 00:23:33,085 --> 00:23:35,145 to us when we're in there. 508 00:23:35,805 --> 00:23:38,665 And the reason we started this is 509 00:23:38,665 --> 00:23:42,585 because we noticed at one point when people would wanna come 510 00:23:42,585 --> 00:23:45,915 in and visit with us, we lost the kids' attention. 511 00:23:46,185 --> 00:23:50,515 They started acting out and, and there was more conflict. 512 00:23:51,215 --> 00:23:55,895 But when we cut out adult visiting, the children were 513 00:23:56,115 --> 00:23:58,215 so much more peaceful and focused 514 00:23:58,435 --> 00:24:00,895 and just ready to interact with us. 515 00:24:00,995 --> 00:24:04,775 So we have a rule, actually, it's, um, don't be offended, 516 00:24:05,315 --> 00:24:07,135 but we're not gonna talk to you . 517 00:24:07,795 --> 00:24:10,175 - And is that just, uh, you just verbally communicate that, 518 00:24:10,195 --> 00:24:11,775 or post a sign or what? 519 00:24:12,195 --> 00:24:13,735 - Uh, we've done both. Mm-Hmm. 520 00:24:13,775 --> 00:24:14,975 and Jim 521 00:24:14,975 --> 00:24:17,215 and I, we don't visit with each other now. 522 00:24:17,215 --> 00:24:21,055 We've been married 42 years, but we make it a rule. 523 00:24:21,675 --> 00:24:23,055 The only time we visit 524 00:24:23,085 --> 00:24:26,095 with each other in nursery is when we're talking 525 00:24:26,905 --> 00:24:29,975 about a child or to a child, 526 00:24:30,285 --> 00:24:32,535 otherwise we don't visit. 527 00:24:33,005 --> 00:24:36,215 Yeah. It's not a social time for adults. Yeah. 528 00:24:36,355 --> 00:24:38,655 - And again, you're, you're creating a, an environment, 529 00:24:38,735 --> 00:24:41,615 a structure for those children to, to be blessed 530 00:24:41,675 --> 00:24:43,175 by the doctrines of Jesus Christ. 531 00:24:43,175 --> 00:24:44,495 Right. In their own special way. 532 00:24:45,005 --> 00:24:46,495 - It's so hard for people though. 533 00:24:46,545 --> 00:24:48,295 We've had even church leaders 534 00:24:49,195 --> 00:24:53,095 on a stake level come in and start visiting with us 535 00:24:53,195 --> 00:24:54,615 and we'll warn them ahead of time 536 00:24:54,675 --> 00:24:57,175 and say, please don't take offense. 537 00:24:57,635 --> 00:24:59,135 But we don't visit in there. 538 00:24:59,525 --> 00:25:02,455 It's a real classroom with a real lesson. 539 00:25:03,195 --> 00:25:06,615 And the whole day is for the children. It's not about us. 540 00:25:07,045 --> 00:25:09,615 - Yeah. I guess it would be extremely awkward if somebody 541 00:25:09,615 --> 00:25:10,735 walked into Sunday school 542 00:25:10,735 --> 00:25:13,015 and started talking to the teacher while we were . 543 00:25:13,115 --> 00:25:14,975 That's what we'd be like, whatcha doing? Get outta here. 544 00:25:15,155 --> 00:25:16,775 - You wouldn't do that in Relief Society. 545 00:25:16,775 --> 00:25:18,855 Just walk in and Yeah. Hey, let's 546 00:25:18,855 --> 00:25:19,815 - Talk. Right. So, 547 00:25:20,165 --> 00:25:21,165 - Alright. 548 00:25:21,165 --> 00:25:22,775 Where do you wanna go next? I, there's a whole list here. 549 00:25:22,815 --> 00:25:23,735 I wanna make sure we at least 550 00:25:23,735 --> 00:25:24,935 touch on each one of these here. 551 00:25:24,995 --> 00:25:27,615 But, uh, what, uh, what rings true next? 552 00:25:28,325 --> 00:25:30,215 - Well, we do transitions, of course, 553 00:25:30,215 --> 00:25:31,695 like any nursery leaders do. 554 00:25:32,115 --> 00:25:34,695 Uh, when it's time to move onto a new activity, 555 00:25:34,745 --> 00:25:35,775 we'll sing a song. 556 00:25:36,635 --> 00:25:40,535 Um, you know, we'll get them engaged somehow. Let's do this. 557 00:25:40,635 --> 00:25:41,695 And they get excited. 558 00:25:42,155 --> 00:25:45,855 Or we'll ask them a question, say, I wonder if there 559 00:25:46,555 --> 00:25:47,895 is something outside. 560 00:25:48,525 --> 00:25:50,255 Well, that's our cue to go outside 561 00:25:50,475 --> 00:25:54,175 and we'll do lizard hunts outside with toy lizards. 562 00:25:54,385 --> 00:25:56,975 We'll, whatever goes along with the lesson 563 00:25:57,285 --> 00:25:58,615 that we're doing for that day. 564 00:25:58,715 --> 00:26:01,655 So we do give them transitions from one activity 565 00:26:01,715 --> 00:26:04,735 to the next, but they kind of know what's coming 566 00:26:04,765 --> 00:26:08,295 because we pretty much keep to the schedule 567 00:26:08,595 --> 00:26:12,855 of welcome them in, go to snack and story 568 00:26:12,865 --> 00:26:16,735 after Play-Doh, go to a singing time, go to a lesson, 569 00:26:17,635 --> 00:26:21,775 and then, um, a an art project that reinforces the lesson. 570 00:26:22,385 --> 00:26:23,655 Large motor activity, 571 00:26:24,145 --> 00:26:26,855 small mo motor activity, different things. 572 00:26:26,915 --> 00:26:28,735 But they know what's coming because 573 00:26:29,385 --> 00:26:31,055 after a couple Sundays in there, 574 00:26:31,055 --> 00:26:33,375 they basically know the routine. 575 00:26:33,885 --> 00:26:35,575 Yeah. And they like it. 576 00:26:36,355 --> 00:26:38,655 - So when it's time to transition to snack 577 00:26:38,655 --> 00:26:43,335 and story, um, we will sing a song. 578 00:26:43,595 --> 00:26:45,855 And then as soon as the Play-Doh is all put away 579 00:26:45,855 --> 00:26:50,175 by the kids, then Marla will take his hand sanitizer 580 00:26:50,235 --> 00:26:53,755 and make happy faces on the table. 581 00:26:54,745 --> 00:26:57,805 And the kids know that that's how you wash the table. 582 00:26:58,225 --> 00:26:59,925 You squirted the hand sanitizer. 583 00:26:59,925 --> 00:27:03,425 And it could be a smiley face, it could be a, a frowny face 584 00:27:03,445 --> 00:27:05,065 or, you know, and the kids tell us what kind 585 00:27:05,065 --> 00:27:08,345 of face they want, and then they smoosh the hand sanitizer 586 00:27:08,345 --> 00:27:10,265 around and then take a paper towel and clean it. 587 00:27:10,285 --> 00:27:12,945 So then they clean the table and they're ready to go to eat. 588 00:27:13,085 --> 00:27:14,995 And, um, you know, 589 00:27:14,995 --> 00:27:18,165 and that's how we transition to the, to, uh, 590 00:27:18,165 --> 00:27:20,165 having a snack, you know. Wow. 591 00:27:20,305 --> 00:27:22,685 - And sometimes we've asked the parents to 592 00:27:23,215 --> 00:27:26,645 bring the snack in, which is not generally church policy. 593 00:27:27,635 --> 00:27:31,205 Usually the church likes the ward to supply the snack. 594 00:27:31,675 --> 00:27:34,165 Sometimes, like on special birthdays 595 00:27:34,185 --> 00:27:36,325 or holidays, we'll ask the parents 596 00:27:36,345 --> 00:27:39,245 to bring the child's favorite snack along with 597 00:27:39,865 --> 00:27:41,165 the child's favorite book. 598 00:27:41,785 --> 00:27:44,605 And that way the child gets highlighted that day. 599 00:27:45,025 --> 00:27:48,285 And then we read that book to the children while they eat. 600 00:27:48,865 --> 00:27:52,485 So whenever they're eating, we're reading to them so 601 00:27:52,485 --> 00:27:55,915 that they, they, they get to focus on two things. 602 00:27:56,135 --> 00:27:59,275 And that's a real skill change, you know, to be able 603 00:27:59,275 --> 00:28:01,315 to focus on two things at once. 604 00:28:02,095 --> 00:28:04,395 That's a step up from a toddler 605 00:28:04,695 --> 00:28:07,475 or a baby to a nursery age child. 606 00:28:07,615 --> 00:28:08,915 So that's kind of cool. 607 00:28:09,615 --> 00:28:11,635 - Wow. I love that. Just those little, uh, 608 00:28:11,875 --> 00:28:14,795 personalizations there that, uh, help the children be seen 609 00:28:14,815 --> 00:28:16,235 as individuals, you know, and, 610 00:28:16,235 --> 00:28:17,675 and share that with others. That's 611 00:28:17,675 --> 00:28:18,675 - Great. 612 00:28:18,675 --> 00:28:21,435 And I noticed one mom did a really cool thing for snack time 613 00:28:22,015 --> 00:28:25,595 and, um, she brought in a whole muffin tin 614 00:28:25,625 --> 00:28:29,395 that had like 24 muffin holders in it, 615 00:28:29,815 --> 00:28:31,875 and she had put different snacks in each one. 616 00:28:32,255 --> 00:28:35,235 And I asked her why she did this configuration. 617 00:28:35,295 --> 00:28:37,515 And she said, you know, what kids like the most 618 00:28:38,595 --> 00:28:39,695 is to be able to choose. 619 00:28:40,765 --> 00:28:42,545 So she would hold out the muffin tin 620 00:28:42,685 --> 00:28:46,985 and they got to pick from the tin of what they wanted 621 00:28:47,045 --> 00:28:48,345 and how many they wanted. 622 00:28:48,845 --> 00:28:52,345 And that was so thrilling for them to just be able 623 00:28:52,345 --> 00:28:54,905 to choose their own snack was pretty cool. 624 00:28:55,615 --> 00:28:57,585 - Yeah. Well, again, so simple 625 00:28:57,645 --> 00:28:59,305 and, uh, and just giving them choice. 626 00:28:59,545 --> 00:29:02,465 'cause Yeah, I know a lot of things I I make the choice 627 00:29:02,525 --> 00:29:04,185 for my three-year-old, uh, . 628 00:29:04,185 --> 00:29:06,705 Yeah. So you, so you've moved on from the Play-Doh time, 629 00:29:06,845 --> 00:29:08,425 and then, you know, you talk about transitions, 630 00:29:08,425 --> 00:29:09,505 which I, I appreciate. 631 00:29:09,505 --> 00:29:11,105 Is it, and it's not always a song, 632 00:29:11,105 --> 00:29:13,825 it may just be you saying, Hey, I have an idea. 633 00:29:13,915 --> 00:29:16,705 Let's see what's outside. Or is that the idea? Right. 634 00:29:16,845 --> 00:29:18,705 - Or sometimes we'll say, look at the clock, 635 00:29:19,565 --> 00:29:22,345 and all the kids will look at the clock and I'll point to it 636 00:29:22,345 --> 00:29:26,795 and talk about how the clock tells us what time it is. 637 00:29:26,855 --> 00:29:28,955 And so we'll say, well, now it's time 638 00:29:29,295 --> 00:29:31,675 for, and we'll move on. 639 00:29:31,895 --> 00:29:34,515 Or Jim will, Jim usually does the lesson for us. 640 00:29:34,975 --> 00:29:37,315 So Jim will all of a sudden ask a question 641 00:29:37,575 --> 00:29:40,795 or hold up a picture, something to get their attention 642 00:29:41,065 --> 00:29:43,965 and say, you know, I wonder what this picture is about. 643 00:29:44,505 --> 00:29:46,645 And then we gather the children around him 644 00:29:46,785 --> 00:29:50,045 and he gives the lesson about, you know, the scripture 645 00:29:50,185 --> 00:29:52,845 or the principle that we're talking about. Yeah. 646 00:29:53,545 --> 00:29:55,485 - Now it's been a few years since I've been in primary 647 00:29:55,545 --> 00:29:56,685 in general, let alone nursery. 648 00:29:56,865 --> 00:29:59,725 Um, is there a formal, like lesson book? 649 00:29:59,725 --> 00:30:02,205 Do you use the same thing that other pri the other primary 650 00:30:02,315 --> 00:30:03,485 kids are using as far as 651 00:30:03,485 --> 00:30:04,685 what the lesson is that week? Right, 652 00:30:04,835 --> 00:30:05,835 - Yeah. 653 00:30:05,835 --> 00:30:07,765 There's a manual and they have the lessons late. 654 00:30:07,825 --> 00:30:10,245 The church has the lessons laid out week 655 00:30:10,425 --> 00:30:11,885 to week, and we use that. 656 00:30:12,185 --> 00:30:14,485 - Gotcha. So, and speak to me about the lesson then. 657 00:30:14,585 --> 00:30:16,005 You, you're, I mean, is there, 658 00:30:16,035 --> 00:30:17,445 what does the preparation look like? 659 00:30:17,645 --> 00:30:19,525 I mean, obviously you're not, you don't have 660 00:30:19,525 --> 00:30:21,005 to prepare like you do if you're teaching, 661 00:30:21,065 --> 00:30:22,205 you know, Sunday school . 662 00:30:22,205 --> 00:30:23,885 But, um, what does that look like? 663 00:30:24,515 --> 00:30:28,085 - Well, you kind of do, but we, we've had it so prepared. 664 00:30:28,185 --> 00:30:30,005 We have a big fat notebook 665 00:30:30,005 --> 00:30:31,325 of all the lessons over the years. 666 00:30:31,505 --> 00:30:34,725 So, you know, we have an usually an object 667 00:30:35,105 --> 00:30:36,645 that's an attention getter. 668 00:30:37,235 --> 00:30:39,085 Like if it's taking care of your body, 669 00:30:39,305 --> 00:30:42,125 Jim will bring a basket with a lid on it, 670 00:30:42,545 --> 00:30:45,365 and then he'll slowly open the lid to get their attention. 671 00:30:46,225 --> 00:30:47,885 And then they'll look inside the basket 672 00:30:48,025 --> 00:30:50,925 and they'll pull out things that help us take care 673 00:30:50,925 --> 00:30:54,685 of our bodies, like a bandaid, a toothbrush, 674 00:30:55,665 --> 00:30:57,685 an apple, different things like that. 675 00:30:57,785 --> 00:31:01,445 So usually Jim brings a, an object 676 00:31:02,265 --> 00:31:05,005 or a picture to start the lesson, 677 00:31:06,145 --> 00:31:07,205 and that's kind of 678 00:31:07,205 --> 00:31:10,285 how we engage them in talking about what we're gonna do. 679 00:31:10,875 --> 00:31:15,125 - Yeah. And I imagine, Jim, you use this maybe that basket 680 00:31:15,265 --> 00:31:18,365 for several different type of lessons if it works 681 00:31:18,365 --> 00:31:20,245 to fit an object in there. Is that the idea? 682 00:31:20,515 --> 00:31:22,165 - Yeah. Yeah. And, and, 683 00:31:22,185 --> 00:31:25,005 and Marla's, like she said, it's got this huge notebook 684 00:31:25,005 --> 00:31:28,045 with all the, every one of the lessons that has, you know, 685 00:31:28,045 --> 00:31:30,885 here's what the lesson could be or would be, 686 00:31:31,465 --> 00:31:35,165 and here's some thematic activities that could be coupled 687 00:31:35,165 --> 00:31:37,005 with the lesson to help reinforce it. 688 00:31:37,025 --> 00:31:40,285 So after we've had the lesson, then, you know, there's one 689 00:31:40,285 --> 00:31:41,765 or two other things that we can do. 690 00:31:41,865 --> 00:31:45,605 And, and with the one hour format now, by the time we get 691 00:31:45,605 --> 00:31:46,685 that done, we're just about, 692 00:31:46,685 --> 00:31:48,365 we're pretty much out of time. Mm-Hmm. . 693 00:31:48,475 --> 00:31:51,925 - Yeah. So the lesson is sort of the wrap up portion 694 00:31:51,985 --> 00:31:53,365 of the, of the time. 695 00:31:53,995 --> 00:31:56,965 - Well, we do usually an art project afterward 696 00:31:57,065 --> 00:31:58,805 to reinforce the concept. 697 00:31:59,585 --> 00:32:03,695 Or in the, when the church had the two hour, uh, 698 00:32:04,605 --> 00:32:08,175 nursery time, we used to also introduce really fun skills. 699 00:32:08,485 --> 00:32:12,895 Like during October we'd have, um, a piece of paper 700 00:32:12,925 --> 00:32:14,095 with a spider on it, 701 00:32:14,475 --> 00:32:16,975 and the kids would practice cutting the path 702 00:32:16,975 --> 00:32:19,255 of the spider with their scissors. 703 00:32:19,895 --> 00:32:22,415 Scissors. A lot of manipulatives. 704 00:32:22,415 --> 00:32:25,415 Those are skills they need to have for primary as well. 705 00:32:25,935 --> 00:32:30,055 I know we think more of the spiritual ideas, 706 00:32:30,515 --> 00:32:34,095 but a lot of the spiritual things they hear in nursery will 707 00:32:34,115 --> 00:32:35,975 be repeated in sunbeams. 708 00:32:36,555 --> 00:32:39,725 But they need to have a lot of these skills down so 709 00:32:39,725 --> 00:32:43,565 that when they go into sunbeams, they feel confident. 710 00:32:44,115 --> 00:32:46,725 They know the difference between markers and crayons. 711 00:32:46,725 --> 00:32:49,725 They know how to work a paintbrush and a watercolor set. 712 00:32:50,115 --> 00:32:51,645 They know how to use scissors. 713 00:32:52,075 --> 00:32:53,565 They know how to sit in their chair 714 00:32:53,585 --> 00:32:55,525 for a extended period of time. 715 00:32:55,935 --> 00:32:58,645 Those are all kind of practical skills, 716 00:32:59,145 --> 00:33:02,285 but they need to have them for sunbeams. Yeah. 717 00:33:02,865 --> 00:33:05,005 - And I know with my kids, we haven't sent any 718 00:33:05,005 --> 00:33:06,445 of our kids to like a preschool. 719 00:33:06,465 --> 00:33:08,485 You know, usually kindergarten is their first formal 720 00:33:09,155 --> 00:33:10,205 education experience. 721 00:33:10,205 --> 00:33:12,565 And so the only other place for them to pick that up, 722 00:33:12,565 --> 00:33:13,565 obviously at home, you know, 723 00:33:13,565 --> 00:33:15,085 we got different crafts and things. 724 00:33:15,225 --> 00:33:17,805 But, um, but also, you know, at church, again, 725 00:33:17,805 --> 00:33:19,965 it's a structured setting that they can begin 726 00:33:19,965 --> 00:33:23,005 to acquire this, uh, this familiarity. Right. 727 00:33:23,105 --> 00:33:25,005 - Mm-Hmm, . Yeah. And it's kind of fun 728 00:33:25,025 --> 00:33:27,605 for us too, to push their 729 00:33:28,795 --> 00:33:30,065 boundaries of skills. 730 00:33:30,735 --> 00:33:34,825 Like, um, sometimes we'll have a lesson on the prophet, 731 00:33:35,605 --> 00:33:37,145 and one time when we did that, 732 00:33:37,525 --> 00:33:39,705 we brought some black construction paper 733 00:33:39,765 --> 00:33:40,905 and some white chalk. 734 00:33:41,605 --> 00:33:44,585 And then Jim showed the kids how to draw a portrait. 735 00:33:45,285 --> 00:33:47,865 So they were drawing the prophet his face. 736 00:33:48,045 --> 00:33:52,385 But Jim would do an eye and then they would do an eye. 737 00:33:52,645 --> 00:33:54,825 Jim would do the mouth. They would do the mouth. 738 00:33:55,405 --> 00:33:59,465 And we kind of really like to push their skills, things that 739 00:34:00,275 --> 00:34:02,765 with a little scaffolding from us, 740 00:34:02,995 --> 00:34:04,365 they would be able to do it. 741 00:34:04,595 --> 00:34:05,805 They wouldn't without us. 742 00:34:06,025 --> 00:34:07,565 But we like to do that 743 00:34:07,565 --> 00:34:12,415 because once we push their skills into that area 744 00:34:12,715 --> 00:34:17,615 of new level of skill, they really engage. 745 00:34:18,655 --> 00:34:20,425 They are really hooked. 746 00:34:20,935 --> 00:34:23,945 Once you can get them to do something that's hard for them, 747 00:34:24,565 --> 00:34:26,545 but they can do it if you help them. 748 00:34:27,125 --> 00:34:30,705 That's that in education, they call it that zone 749 00:34:30,765 --> 00:34:31,785 of proximity 750 00:34:31,965 --> 00:34:33,385 or proximal development, 751 00:34:33,815 --> 00:34:35,905 that just means they're in the zone. 752 00:34:36,575 --> 00:34:39,105 They could do something really exciting 753 00:34:39,365 --> 00:34:41,465 and new to them if they had your help. 754 00:34:42,205 --> 00:34:44,665 And we really like that. We like the zone 755 00:34:45,825 --> 00:34:46,825 - . 756 00:34:46,825 --> 00:34:48,105 We also, uh, sometimes will, um, 757 00:34:48,295 --> 00:34:52,305 like once a month send home a, a lesson 758 00:34:52,335 --> 00:34:53,945 that they can use for family time. 759 00:34:54,365 --> 00:34:57,145 You know, that goes with the nursery lesson so that, 760 00:34:57,975 --> 00:35:00,835 you know, the family can actually see 761 00:35:00,865 --> 00:35:02,435 what happened in nursery Mm-Hmm. 762 00:35:02,475 --> 00:35:04,475 and, and then maybe extend 763 00:35:04,475 --> 00:35:05,955 that learning at home. Yeah. 764 00:35:05,955 --> 00:35:08,915 - That's great. So I wanna go back to your, your, your, uh, 765 00:35:08,915 --> 00:35:09,915 binder Marla . 766 00:35:10,195 --> 00:35:13,795 'cause I think people are gonna be, uh, be headed to Oregon 767 00:35:14,375 --> 00:35:17,715 in serve to, to rob you from this binder. 768 00:35:18,495 --> 00:35:21,155 Um, and I, I imagine it's all, I mean, 769 00:35:21,155 --> 00:35:23,315 you don't have anything online that, that you could share, 770 00:35:23,375 --> 00:35:26,795 but, uh, what, what would you say as far as like, 771 00:35:27,055 --> 00:35:29,195 for people making their own binder for inertia, 772 00:35:29,195 --> 00:35:30,275 leaders making their own binder. 773 00:35:30,305 --> 00:35:31,595 Like how do you do that? 774 00:35:31,735 --> 00:35:33,355 Do you, do you find things 775 00:35:33,355 --> 00:35:34,555 and then put 'em in there for later? 776 00:35:34,655 --> 00:35:37,685 Is it just, okay, this next week we're talking about, 777 00:35:37,905 --> 00:35:38,965 uh, you know, nature. 778 00:35:39,225 --> 00:35:40,645 So I'm gonna gather some 779 00:35:40,645 --> 00:35:41,845 thoughts and then just put it in my binder. 780 00:35:41,905 --> 00:35:43,805 How do you, how did you develop this binder? 781 00:35:44,115 --> 00:35:47,485 - Yeah, I kind of just, um, I went through all the lessons 782 00:35:47,675 --> 00:35:49,325 that the church has in the manual, 783 00:35:49,585 --> 00:35:51,885 and I would type up the lesson 784 00:35:52,865 --> 00:35:56,365 and then on, uh, you know, on a Google Doc or something. 785 00:35:56,865 --> 00:36:00,565 And then I would just start brainstorming kinds of skills 786 00:36:00,665 --> 00:36:04,805 and activities that I thought a child would engage in 787 00:36:05,395 --> 00:36:07,845 that surrounds that topic. 788 00:36:08,195 --> 00:36:09,845 Then I just start typing them up, 789 00:36:10,425 --> 00:36:14,005 and then I put them in a paper or a plastic sheath, 790 00:36:14,785 --> 00:36:18,565 and then I put art materials and all kinds of pictures 791 00:36:18,665 --> 00:36:20,005 and ideas in there. 792 00:36:20,625 --> 00:36:22,725 And over the years I just kind of weeded out. 793 00:36:22,905 --> 00:36:25,045 I'm really, um, a minimalist. 794 00:36:25,945 --> 00:36:27,645 So I don't keep a lot of stuff, 795 00:36:28,305 --> 00:36:30,805 but when I go to teach that nursery lesson, 796 00:36:30,945 --> 00:36:33,285 or we go for that nursery day, 797 00:36:33,865 --> 00:36:35,445 the binder tells me everything. 798 00:36:35,985 --> 00:36:39,685 It tells me the first activity we do, the second one, 799 00:36:39,865 --> 00:36:42,205 the lesson, what information I'll need, 800 00:36:42,205 --> 00:36:45,005 what materials I'll need, et cetera. 801 00:36:45,585 --> 00:36:49,125 And after doing it that many years, you kind of have a good 802 00:36:49,965 --> 00:36:53,285 sampling of, um, a variety of stuff. 803 00:36:53,475 --> 00:36:56,005 - Yeah. So, so the principle really is that, you know, 804 00:36:56,005 --> 00:36:59,085 it's not like Marla has cracked the code on nursery binders, 805 00:36:59,105 --> 00:37:00,765 but you have a system that works for you. 806 00:37:01,035 --> 00:37:04,565 Yeah. And, uh, that binder's sort of that, uh, center point 807 00:37:04,565 --> 00:37:06,765 of it all, that you know that you're gonna go there and, 808 00:37:07,265 --> 00:37:09,445 and you, you have it organized a certain way 809 00:37:09,665 --> 00:37:12,005 and way, you know, you'll find the information you need 810 00:37:12,005 --> 00:37:14,205 to execute the next lesson. Right. 811 00:37:14,435 --> 00:37:17,245 - Exactly. - Well, h how many, like on average, 812 00:37:17,475 --> 00:37:20,685 just over the years, how many, how many, 813 00:37:20,985 --> 00:37:23,285 how many kids are you talking like in the 814 00:37:23,285 --> 00:37:24,605 nursery with you at one time? 815 00:37:25,635 --> 00:37:27,335 - It, it depends on which, you know, 816 00:37:27,705 --> 00:37:29,215 where we've lived at the time. 817 00:37:29,475 --> 00:37:34,055 Uh, we really like, uh, sizes of eight or less. 818 00:37:34,555 --> 00:37:37,015 Um, we feel like once they get much more than that, 819 00:37:37,635 --> 00:37:39,575 it really starts stressing the kids out. 820 00:37:40,035 --> 00:37:43,975 Uh, and adding just another adult to a room with more than 821 00:37:43,975 --> 00:37:46,895 that is, can be quite chaotic. 822 00:37:47,355 --> 00:37:51,255 So we've really tried to, you know, work with nurseries 823 00:37:51,255 --> 00:37:53,175 that are, you know, eight or less. 824 00:37:53,315 --> 00:37:58,135 Uh, I will say that we did have one nursery where we had oh, 825 00:37:58,145 --> 00:37:59,775 eight or 10 little girls. 826 00:38:00,035 --> 00:38:02,975 It was all girls. They were all blonde little girls 827 00:38:03,165 --> 00:38:04,495 that loved pink. 828 00:38:05,315 --> 00:38:09,815 And anything that came out that was pink was a major Oh boy. 829 00:38:10,255 --> 00:38:12,495 battle because every girl 830 00:38:12,495 --> 00:38:13,655 wanted to have the pink thing. 831 00:38:13,675 --> 00:38:16,135 And so we had these little carpet squares 832 00:38:16,135 --> 00:38:18,495 that the kids could sit on for certain activities. 833 00:38:18,795 --> 00:38:21,015 And we ultimately had to throw everything away 834 00:38:21,015 --> 00:38:22,335 that was pink . 835 00:38:22,535 --> 00:38:23,975 'cause it was way too much stress. 836 00:38:24,315 --> 00:38:25,455 - It was too chaotic for the poor 837 00:38:25,455 --> 00:38:26,415 - Little girls that just 838 00:38:26,415 --> 00:38:27,455 loved those. No, we don't blame you. 839 00:38:28,115 --> 00:38:30,255 - We said, no more pink in nursery. . 840 00:38:30,845 --> 00:38:32,415 - Nice. Nice. 841 00:38:32,475 --> 00:38:34,855 And I know, like my church building, we 842 00:38:34,925 --> 00:38:36,645 before our ward split about a year ago. 843 00:38:36,665 --> 00:38:37,765 And, uh, so we had, 844 00:38:37,865 --> 00:38:39,685 we had two nurseries, you know, at that time. 845 00:38:39,685 --> 00:38:41,725 And we had two different rooms with toys and whatnot. 846 00:38:41,725 --> 00:38:45,845 And so I think it's good for leaders just to feel like, 847 00:38:45,905 --> 00:38:48,645 you know, yeah, you can split up a, a nursery so 848 00:38:48,645 --> 00:38:52,365 that there's not, you know, 25 little kids in, in one. 849 00:38:52,425 --> 00:38:54,845 And, and some of it, especially in Utah here, you know, in, 850 00:38:54,845 --> 00:38:57,085 in Harriman or, you know, you get, 851 00:38:57,465 --> 00:38:59,685 you get huge amounts of children, you know. 852 00:38:59,685 --> 00:39:01,565 And so you got to, you have to be intentional. 853 00:39:01,565 --> 00:39:04,125 You can't just say, well, let's just keep adding adults 854 00:39:04,215 --> 00:39:07,445 until they can manage the, the circus. You know? So yeah, 855 00:39:07,945 --> 00:39:12,645 - It, it, it's really, really great when one child shows up 856 00:39:13,285 --> 00:39:15,605 and some people have said to us, well, 857 00:39:15,605 --> 00:39:17,325 just don't do nursery that day. 858 00:39:17,355 --> 00:39:19,765 Just send them to be with their parents or whatever. 859 00:39:19,825 --> 00:39:21,205 And we're like, are you kidding? 860 00:39:21,635 --> 00:39:24,605 This is like grandma and grandpa spending time 861 00:39:24,635 --> 00:39:25,765 with a grandchild. 862 00:39:26,115 --> 00:39:27,765 There's no way we're given that up. 863 00:39:28,465 --> 00:39:31,245 So we've had really fun when fun, 864 00:39:31,245 --> 00:39:33,205 even just one child shows up. 865 00:39:33,835 --> 00:39:35,005 - Yeah. Awesome. 866 00:39:35,705 --> 00:39:37,085 So, all right, so you got your lesson 867 00:39:37,105 --> 00:39:39,485 and then you do sort of an art project, a craft project 868 00:39:39,585 --> 00:39:41,525 to sort of wind down the rest of the time. 869 00:39:41,525 --> 00:39:44,765 Right. Uh, any, any general advice, uh, that way? 870 00:39:45,225 --> 00:39:48,045 - We just really, um, like I said 871 00:39:48,045 --> 00:39:49,445 before, we like to push them. 872 00:39:49,585 --> 00:39:53,045 And for some children, like when you pull out the watercolor 873 00:39:53,265 --> 00:39:55,405 set for each child, for some kids, 874 00:39:55,475 --> 00:39:57,365 this is the first time they've ever seen that. 875 00:39:58,105 --> 00:40:02,205 So we do a little kind of song where we dip, dip, 876 00:40:02,305 --> 00:40:04,125 dip in the water with our paint brush, 877 00:40:04,265 --> 00:40:06,245 and then we dip, dip, dip in the paint, 878 00:40:06,985 --> 00:40:08,685 and then we show them how to paint. 879 00:40:08,685 --> 00:40:11,445 Because some of them, they take the toothbrush 880 00:40:11,585 --> 00:40:13,365 or the toothbrush, sorry, the paintbrush, 881 00:40:13,705 --> 00:40:15,085 and they'll stick it in their ear, 882 00:40:15,195 --> 00:40:18,045 they'll stick it in their mouth, you know, they just 883 00:40:18,565 --> 00:40:20,485 they just don't have it down yet. 884 00:40:20,995 --> 00:40:22,045 What that's used for. 885 00:40:22,425 --> 00:40:25,605 So some of the activities we do are simply 886 00:40:26,445 --> 00:40:27,765 exposure and instruction. 887 00:40:28,235 --> 00:40:32,015 What is a paintbrush? What do you do with it? Yeah. 888 00:40:32,075 --> 00:40:34,095 So it takes longer to do an art project 889 00:40:34,765 --> 00:40:37,375 than you would think if you just pull out paper 890 00:40:37,435 --> 00:40:40,395 and crayons, which is okay. 891 00:40:40,615 --> 00:40:43,435 But a lot of children that age have seen that before. 892 00:40:43,975 --> 00:40:48,475 So we try to pull in materials, glue sticks, scissors, 893 00:40:49,765 --> 00:40:53,235 pasta to string together things that, um, 894 00:40:53,755 --> 00:40:55,355 children have not maybe thought of 895 00:40:55,415 --> 00:40:56,955 or been introduced to before. 896 00:40:57,135 --> 00:41:00,955 So the art project can be pretty time consuming. Yeah. 897 00:41:01,135 --> 00:41:03,715 - One thing I don't wanna forget to mention, which is kind 898 00:41:03,915 --> 00:41:05,635 of unrelated to everything we've talked about. 899 00:41:05,905 --> 00:41:07,955 Okay. It's just a tip, it's just a tip 900 00:41:07,955 --> 00:41:10,795 that we found really handy is you always have those 901 00:41:10,795 --> 00:41:13,795 unexpected moments when a, a kid needs to go out 902 00:41:13,855 --> 00:41:16,035 to maybe have a diaper change or things like that. 903 00:41:16,895 --> 00:41:18,275 And what do you do with that? 904 00:41:18,665 --> 00:41:23,155 Yeah, so, so we, uh, basically, um, 905 00:41:24,155 --> 00:41:27,165 have all the, the phone numbers for all the parents. 906 00:41:27,425 --> 00:41:29,005 And when a kid needs 907 00:41:29,005 --> 00:41:31,325 to go out momentarily, we text a parent. 908 00:41:31,425 --> 00:41:34,365 And so they can just be sitting in relief society 909 00:41:34,385 --> 00:41:37,245 or Sunday school, get a text and go, oh, hey. 910 00:41:37,745 --> 00:41:41,275 And, and so we sort of train the parent, keep your phone, 911 00:41:41,945 --> 00:41:43,075 keep an eye out for that. 912 00:41:43,415 --> 00:41:45,755 And that way we never have to leave the room 913 00:41:46,015 --> 00:41:47,955 or go down the hall or find a primary worker 914 00:41:47,975 --> 00:41:49,315 to help us hunt down a parent. 915 00:41:49,615 --> 00:41:52,115 We just text them and they come in a couple 916 00:41:52,115 --> 00:41:53,795 of minutes later and take care of it. Mm-Hmm. 917 00:41:53,835 --> 00:41:55,195 - . Yeah. Well, I love that. 918 00:41:55,655 --> 00:41:57,555 And then, uh, I was gonna ask you that. 919 00:41:57,775 --> 00:42:00,235 I'm glad you brought that up. 'cause uh, I, it was funny, 920 00:42:00,335 --> 00:42:03,755 my, uh, a few weeks ago I went to, I was, went to church. 921 00:42:03,815 --> 00:42:06,555 My wife was either outta town or, or sick or something. 922 00:42:06,555 --> 00:42:08,475 So I was the only parent there. 923 00:42:08,575 --> 00:42:10,355 And I was teaching deacons quorum 924 00:42:10,535 --> 00:42:12,875 and my daughter had a, a dirty diaper. 925 00:42:13,055 --> 00:42:15,555 And so they came in. I'm like, okay, hold, hold 926 00:42:15,555 --> 00:42:17,995 that this thought, deacon, I gotta go, uh, you know, 927 00:42:17,995 --> 00:42:19,875 change the, the diaper here and then get back to it. 928 00:42:19,975 --> 00:42:22,395 So, uh, yeah, ire appreciate you bringing it up. 929 00:42:22,515 --> 00:42:24,715 'cause that is a component that every week there's probably 930 00:42:24,915 --> 00:42:27,075 somebody stinking up the room, you know? So , 931 00:42:27,865 --> 00:42:29,475 - Slow, handy, handy tips. 932 00:42:30,025 --> 00:42:32,995 - What, what would you say about maybe the, you know, 933 00:42:33,235 --> 00:42:35,075 , whether it's the, uh, carpet, 934 00:42:35,375 --> 00:42:38,075 the pink carpet square that riles everybody up 935 00:42:38,075 --> 00:42:41,115 and suddenly you got a little bit of a, a fit, you know, 936 00:42:41,115 --> 00:42:44,275 happening or a fight or somebody just is emotionally spent 937 00:42:44,275 --> 00:42:46,835 and having a hard di day and, and, 938 00:42:46,855 --> 00:42:48,395 and crying and throwing a fit? 939 00:42:49,485 --> 00:42:52,815 - Well, we do, um, put out a blanket in the corner 940 00:42:52,915 --> 00:42:54,375 of any nursery room, 941 00:42:54,755 --> 00:42:57,095 and we put some books out there so 942 00:42:57,095 --> 00:43:01,815 that anytime a child wants to disengage, they can, they get 943 00:43:01,815 --> 00:43:03,655 to curl up with the blanket, read a book, 944 00:43:04,145 --> 00:43:05,375 maybe just lay down 945 00:43:05,915 --> 00:43:09,895 or whatever they wanna do to rest or to disengage. 946 00:43:10,535 --> 00:43:14,215 A lot of times one of us will hold a child, just hold them, 947 00:43:14,795 --> 00:43:16,015 you know, because they, 948 00:43:16,525 --> 00:43:19,215 they're having complex emotions that day. 949 00:43:19,485 --> 00:43:21,655 Sometimes we will go and get a parent. 950 00:43:21,715 --> 00:43:22,815 If the child is, 951 00:43:23,435 --> 00:43:25,575 the child will usually let us know if 952 00:43:25,575 --> 00:43:26,695 they want their mom or dad. 953 00:43:27,005 --> 00:43:31,375 Yeah. And we do encourage the parents to stay in nursery 954 00:43:31,885 --> 00:43:34,335 when they're first bringing their child to nursery. 955 00:43:35,155 --> 00:43:36,615 We don't want the drop off. 956 00:43:36,915 --> 00:43:40,335 We don't want them to drop and run the first few Sundays. 957 00:43:40,335 --> 00:43:44,095 We actually ask the parent, could one of you stay 958 00:43:44,515 --> 00:43:48,695 and enjoy our day with us so that your child sees 959 00:43:48,695 --> 00:43:52,275 that you accept nursery, you like nursery, 960 00:43:52,655 --> 00:43:56,395 you like the nursery leaders, ergo the child will. 961 00:43:56,785 --> 00:43:58,035 Yeah. Again, though, 962 00:43:58,055 --> 00:44:00,995 the biggest problem we have is the parents 963 00:44:01,045 --> 00:44:02,515 wanna talk with us. 964 00:44:02,825 --> 00:44:05,675 Yeah. And we have to say to them, sorry, 965 00:44:06,065 --> 00:44:09,155 this isn't about us as adults. 966 00:44:09,935 --> 00:44:13,195 And I think that's one thing that holds people back 967 00:44:13,745 --> 00:44:16,435 from accepting a calling in nursery. 968 00:44:17,055 --> 00:44:19,475 So I think so many adults have said to us, 969 00:44:20,995 --> 00:44:22,575 how do you do nursery that long? 970 00:44:22,575 --> 00:44:24,655 Like, we'll do it for five or seven years 971 00:44:24,755 --> 00:44:25,815 before we have a break. 972 00:44:26,515 --> 00:44:29,495 And they'll say, how do you do that? It's so boring. 973 00:44:30,235 --> 00:44:34,145 And we say to them, them, uh, if nursery is boring, it's 974 00:44:34,145 --> 00:44:35,545 because you're doing it wrong. 975 00:44:36,135 --> 00:44:40,385 Yeah. If, if you're doing it right, you will love it. 976 00:44:40,925 --> 00:44:42,225 If you're doing it wrong 977 00:44:42,405 --> 00:44:45,145 and it's not serving them, it's not serving you, 978 00:44:46,005 --> 00:44:49,665 you should feel very peaceful, very satisfied, 979 00:44:50,735 --> 00:44:55,065 very content as an adult when you leave nursery, 980 00:44:55,485 --> 00:44:57,465 the children, we're hoping they'll feel that way, 981 00:44:57,525 --> 00:45:00,465 but we want adults to feel that way when they serve. 982 00:45:01,325 --> 00:45:03,745 But if you're just gonna go in and throw some toys out 983 00:45:03,745 --> 00:45:05,225 and some crackers on a table, 984 00:45:06,805 --> 00:45:09,935 nursery's gonna be really boring for them and for you. 985 00:45:10,325 --> 00:45:12,095 Yeah. Because kids have toys at home. 986 00:45:12,815 --> 00:45:14,415 I mean, they can go home and do that. 987 00:45:15,045 --> 00:45:18,445 Nursery should be something where, like 988 00:45:18,445 --> 00:45:22,045 for adults walking into the temple, it's a sacred place. 989 00:45:22,045 --> 00:45:25,645 Everything changes. Your voice changes in the temple, 990 00:45:25,955 --> 00:45:27,205 your clothes change. 991 00:45:28,105 --> 00:45:31,805 You act differently. But we expect that in nursery. 992 00:45:32,185 --> 00:45:35,845 You know, the kids come in and if they wanna yell and scream 993 00:45:35,945 --> 00:45:39,765 and run around, we have to remind them this is nursery. 994 00:45:40,945 --> 00:45:42,845 And they pretty soon they get it 995 00:45:42,915 --> 00:45:45,245 that this is a different place. 996 00:45:45,745 --> 00:45:47,325 You know, one thing we used to do 997 00:45:47,325 --> 00:45:50,725 that was really fun when we, um, had the two hour schedule 998 00:45:51,705 --> 00:45:53,365 is when the kids would first come in, 999 00:45:53,745 --> 00:45:56,165 we would write a word on the chalkboard, 1000 00:45:56,745 --> 00:46:00,525 and it was a word we selected from the lesson, like, 1001 00:46:00,785 --> 00:46:03,055 um, hallelujah. 1002 00:46:04,065 --> 00:46:05,605 And we'd write it on the board 1003 00:46:05,785 --> 00:46:08,085 and we'd say the word several times 1004 00:46:08,665 --> 00:46:11,525 and we'd say, this means yay. 1005 00:46:12,505 --> 00:46:15,405 And so all throughout the day we would use this word. 1006 00:46:15,905 --> 00:46:19,125 So if a kid did something really cool, we'd say, hallelujah. 1007 00:46:19,865 --> 00:46:24,205 Or if, um, they shared a toy, hallelujah. 1008 00:46:25,145 --> 00:46:28,365 And by the end of that Sunday that we did that, uh, 1009 00:46:28,465 --> 00:46:31,845 the kids were repeating the word and taking it home, 1010 00:46:32,585 --> 00:46:35,885 and the parents would tell us later, what's with this word? 1011 00:46:36,745 --> 00:46:38,965 And we used to call it the word of the day, 1012 00:46:39,225 --> 00:46:41,765 but we don't have time for these things anymore. 1013 00:46:42,055 --> 00:46:46,465 We've really had to condense. But it was fun. It was 1014 00:46:46,465 --> 00:46:47,465 - Really fun. 1015 00:46:47,465 --> 00:46:50,145 Yeah. That's awesome. Any advice you'd give as far as, 1016 00:46:50,205 --> 00:46:51,385 uh, special needs kids? 1017 00:46:51,405 --> 00:46:53,545 Has that come up much at all in your experience? 1018 00:46:53,955 --> 00:46:55,465 - We've had a few, and those 1019 00:46:55,465 --> 00:46:56,745 definitely are more challenging. 1020 00:46:57,205 --> 00:47:01,555 Um, uh, we had one in particular where 1021 00:47:01,825 --> 00:47:03,555 that was one of those times where we did 1022 00:47:03,555 --> 00:47:04,675 have to close the door. 1023 00:47:05,175 --> 00:47:09,795 Mm-Hmm. . Um, so we found that most 1024 00:47:09,795 --> 00:47:12,595 of the kids, and we haven't had a whole lot of that, 1025 00:47:12,855 --> 00:47:16,195 but, uh, our experience with those children is that 1026 00:47:16,705 --> 00:47:20,955 they too can oftentimes feel the feel the peacefulness 1027 00:47:21,175 --> 00:47:23,755 and the spirit of the, you know, of the nursery. 1028 00:47:24,665 --> 00:47:26,995 They calm down quite a bit 1029 00:47:27,455 --> 00:47:29,670 and generally can be pretty engaged. 1030 00:47:30,115 --> 00:47:31,845 It's, it's harder though, for sure. 1031 00:47:32,385 --> 00:47:36,285 - It is harder. One time we had a little girl who had been 1032 00:47:36,305 --> 00:47:41,285 so emotionally traumatized by her past nursery experience 1033 00:47:41,755 --> 00:47:46,045 that when we came in as nursery leaders, she would not come. 1034 00:47:46,305 --> 00:47:49,085 In fact, her mother and father said when they would drive 1035 00:47:49,305 --> 00:47:51,165 by the church during the week, 1036 00:47:51,825 --> 00:47:54,325 she would see the church building and start to cry. 1037 00:47:55,505 --> 00:47:58,405 So we had to take special measures when we were 1038 00:47:58,405 --> 00:47:59,685 called, we changed the room. 1039 00:48:00,465 --> 00:48:02,685 So we didn't go into the same room she was used to. 1040 00:48:02,985 --> 00:48:04,205 We chose a different room. 1041 00:48:04,945 --> 00:48:08,325 We had to go to her house and, um, visit with her. 1042 00:48:09,125 --> 00:48:10,645 I hand make toys. 1043 00:48:10,705 --> 00:48:13,365 And so I handmade her this beautiful doll so 1044 00:48:13,365 --> 00:48:17,765 that she could bring it to church with her, which turned out 1045 00:48:17,765 --> 00:48:19,005 to be kind of a bad thing 1046 00:48:19,005 --> 00:48:22,405 because right during the sacrament, she's throwing this doll 1047 00:48:22,405 --> 00:48:26,565 around the, the, um, chapel to see her fly. 1048 00:48:26,785 --> 00:48:28,605 And I was sorry about that , 1049 00:48:29,545 --> 00:48:31,565 but it was, um, necessary. 1050 00:48:31,795 --> 00:48:34,765 Yeah. So after a few times of that 1051 00:48:34,865 --> 00:48:39,045 and us going to her home, she actually liked nursery 1052 00:48:39,225 --> 00:48:41,645 and then she couldn't wait to start coming. 1053 00:48:42,385 --> 00:48:44,645 But you never know what kind 1054 00:48:44,645 --> 00:48:47,485 of things in a child's mind are traumatic. 1055 00:48:47,995 --> 00:48:50,765 They, this girl hadn't been abused by anyone. 1056 00:48:51,425 --> 00:48:55,045 Um, it was just her past experience in 1057 00:48:55,045 --> 00:48:58,365 that old nursery was, it was upsetting to her. 1058 00:48:58,405 --> 00:48:59,725 I don't know if there were too many kids, 1059 00:49:00,825 --> 00:49:05,045 if the leader didn't engage her, if she fell down once 1060 00:49:05,105 --> 00:49:06,685 and had this traumatic memory, 1061 00:49:06,905 --> 00:49:09,845 but we had to basically start over with her. 1062 00:49:10,155 --> 00:49:13,405 Yeah. And sometimes with special needs, all you have 1063 00:49:13,405 --> 00:49:14,765 to do is start over. 1064 00:49:15,465 --> 00:49:17,445 So you go to the beginning, which is the family, 1065 00:49:18,305 --> 00:49:19,635 and you visit the family 1066 00:49:19,895 --> 00:49:21,915 and you make friends with the parents 1067 00:49:22,775 --> 00:49:26,715 and you engage the child in their own environment. 1068 00:49:27,135 --> 00:49:30,195 And so that's helped us a lot with kids that have 1069 00:49:31,015 --> 00:49:32,745 special situations. 1070 00:49:33,295 --> 00:49:36,225 - Yeah. Uh, you've already mentioned a little bit just sort 1071 00:49:36,225 --> 00:49:40,345 of that dynamic of, of, you know, working with other adults 1072 00:49:40,345 --> 00:49:41,825 or when they're in the room or whatnot. 1073 00:49:41,885 --> 00:49:44,185 And it sounds like for the most part, you've been able 1074 00:49:44,205 --> 00:49:47,185 to handle all the responsibilities of your nursery class 1075 00:49:47,185 --> 00:49:49,545 that you went, you didn't need additional, uh, 1076 00:49:49,565 --> 00:49:52,865 adults call called to, to help you in nursery, right? 1077 00:49:53,605 --> 00:49:56,065 - No. Yeah. We've been able to do it ourselves. Nice. 1078 00:49:56,285 --> 00:49:58,625 - And anything else you'd say as far as, uh, 1079 00:49:58,735 --> 00:50:01,865 because I know some primaries they'll have several nursery, 1080 00:50:01,965 --> 00:50:05,145 you know, leaders or teachers or whatever it is. 1081 00:50:05,425 --> 00:50:08,505 Anything else as far as that adult dynamic that, uh, 1082 00:50:08,515 --> 00:50:09,545 still needs to be said? 1083 00:50:10,715 --> 00:50:13,795 - I think just better in my opinion, is better 1084 00:50:13,795 --> 00:50:16,975 to split your nursery than to just 1085 00:50:17,835 --> 00:50:20,375 put everybody in one big room with, you know, lots 1086 00:50:20,375 --> 00:50:22,175 of adults and lots of kids. I think, uh, 1087 00:50:22,595 --> 00:50:24,535 - And a ton of fruit snacks, you know? Yeah. 1088 00:50:24,815 --> 00:50:25,855 - , the experience 1089 00:50:25,855 --> 00:50:28,165 for the children I think would be a lot better if you make 1090 00:50:28,165 --> 00:50:30,565 the choice to split the nursery, you know, 1091 00:50:30,585 --> 00:50:31,605 to the extent that you can. 1092 00:50:32,075 --> 00:50:36,525 - Yeah. And - I, I, I think also bringing in, um, 1093 00:50:37,175 --> 00:50:39,445 novel items 1094 00:50:39,585 --> 00:50:44,525 or ideas can really help that child who is reticent to come. 1095 00:50:45,265 --> 00:50:47,445 So like for snack time, 1096 00:50:47,625 --> 00:50:50,885 we will often bring in the apple peeler core. 1097 00:50:51,625 --> 00:50:53,165 Um, some people haven't seen these, 1098 00:50:53,305 --> 00:50:56,605 but you put the apple on it, you twist the handle uhhuh 1099 00:50:56,705 --> 00:50:59,845 and it, it rotates the fruit and peels and corset. 1100 00:51:00,425 --> 00:51:02,805 The children can't wait for that to come. 1101 00:51:03,105 --> 00:51:06,445 And the first time they see it, they're kind 1102 00:51:06,445 --> 00:51:08,125 of like struck by it. 1103 00:51:08,345 --> 00:51:09,805 And it's a simple device. 1104 00:51:09,985 --> 00:51:14,845 But we have to remember for a child who's new on the planet, 1105 00:51:15,905 --> 00:51:18,275 they've never seen some of the things we bring in. 1106 00:51:18,275 --> 00:51:20,195 Sometimes I'll bring in a bird nest 1107 00:51:20,335 --> 00:51:22,315 and put it on the center of the table 1108 00:51:23,275 --> 00:51:25,135 and I won't even say anything about it. 1109 00:51:25,165 --> 00:51:27,495 I'll just put it there and I'll wait till they ask 1110 00:51:27,515 --> 00:51:29,215 me What is that? 1111 00:51:30,435 --> 00:51:32,215 And maybe that day we're talking about family. 1112 00:51:32,395 --> 00:51:34,775 So I'll talk about how the birds have families. 1113 00:51:34,875 --> 00:51:39,695 And when we bring in novel things, objects, ideas 1114 00:51:40,565 --> 00:51:42,855 that can really settle a child, 1115 00:51:43,235 --> 00:51:45,535 you would think novelty would make them more 1116 00:51:46,285 --> 00:51:47,535 excitable or upset. 1117 00:51:47,635 --> 00:51:52,295 But actually when their brain is super engaged in studying a 1118 00:51:52,295 --> 00:51:56,145 thing, they kind of forget that they're in a new place. 1119 00:51:56,175 --> 00:51:57,985 They forget that their parents aren't there. 1120 00:51:57,985 --> 00:52:00,545 They forget that, you know, 1121 00:52:00,825 --> 00:52:02,785 they're separated from their families 1122 00:52:02,785 --> 00:52:06,665 because they're so engaged in whatever we've brought in 1123 00:52:07,135 --> 00:52:10,585 that there's really no place in the brain for fear. 1124 00:52:11,665 --> 00:52:14,405 So that's what we try to do a lot, is bring in things 1125 00:52:14,435 --> 00:52:17,405 that the children will, maybe they've never seen 1126 00:52:17,405 --> 00:52:18,445 that thing before. 1127 00:52:18,875 --> 00:52:19,965 What is that? 1128 00:52:21,185 --> 00:52:26,045 And it's really cool to watch them shut down those fearful 1129 00:52:26,785 --> 00:52:28,605 or anxious feelings 1130 00:52:28,865 --> 00:52:30,925 and really come into 1131 00:52:30,925 --> 00:52:33,325 what we're doing together is pretty magical. 1132 00:52:33,915 --> 00:52:37,525 - Yeah. Yeah. Wow. I wanna go back to nursery. 1133 00:52:37,555 --> 00:52:39,205 This is, this is awesome. . 1134 00:52:39,685 --> 00:52:42,205 - - So important. We all 1135 00:52:42,205 --> 00:52:43,525 - Wanna start over . 1136 00:52:44,795 --> 00:52:47,045 - Well, and, and even just like I, I'm just, 1137 00:52:47,045 --> 00:52:49,965 it makes me reflect on callings I haven't enjoyed 1138 00:52:50,025 --> 00:52:52,285 or that haven't Yeah. 1139 00:52:52,285 --> 00:52:53,565 That I haven't enjoyed. And I thought, well, 1140 00:52:53,565 --> 00:52:55,125 maybe I was just doing it wrong. 1141 00:52:55,305 --> 00:52:57,245 You know, maybe there was a better way or, 1142 00:52:57,465 --> 00:53:00,205 and so I think anybody who's just not enjoying their calling 1143 00:53:00,305 --> 00:53:02,165 can step back and maybe reassess 1144 00:53:02,165 --> 00:53:04,165 and say, maybe I could do this differently 1145 00:53:04,825 --> 00:53:06,765 and in a way that I'd really enjoy it. 1146 00:53:06,865 --> 00:53:09,085 And you know, that and inspiration flows, 1147 00:53:09,265 --> 00:53:10,265 - So. 1148 00:53:10,265 --> 00:53:12,605 Right. And I think too with nursery, less is more. 1149 00:53:13,045 --> 00:53:16,725 I know that's a common saying, 1150 00:53:16,865 --> 00:53:20,325 but when adults pull out toys for nursery kids, 1151 00:53:21,165 --> 00:53:24,335 they open the closet and the kids just pull out toys. 1152 00:53:24,485 --> 00:53:25,845 Well, what a child will do, 1153 00:53:26,395 --> 00:53:28,285 they'll dump everything on the floor. 1154 00:53:28,385 --> 00:53:31,805 Yep. . And actually, if you read the nursery manual, 1155 00:53:32,225 --> 00:53:36,965 it says every child should be given one and a half toys. 1156 00:53:38,025 --> 00:53:40,725 Huh. Not that you would have a toy, but Right. 1157 00:53:40,725 --> 00:53:45,365 That's on average number. Right. That the church suggests. 1158 00:53:45,365 --> 00:53:49,445 And they said if a child is done with that one 1159 00:53:49,445 --> 00:53:53,405 and a half amount of toys, they get to go and trade it in 1160 00:53:53,785 --> 00:53:55,805 and the adult controls the toy closet. 1161 00:53:56,225 --> 00:53:59,125 Mm. We do not let the children just open it 1162 00:53:59,125 --> 00:54:00,245 and have a free for all. 1163 00:54:00,315 --> 00:54:05,095 They have to come and ask us, you know, if they can speak. 1164 00:54:05,235 --> 00:54:08,175 If not, they can show us that they want something else. 1165 00:54:08,635 --> 00:54:11,655 And so we put that one back, we pull out a new one 1166 00:54:11,835 --> 00:54:13,135 and they can continue playing. 1167 00:54:13,475 --> 00:54:14,695 But we don't do that. 1168 00:54:14,955 --> 00:54:19,025 Um, again, chaos is not happy for children 1169 00:54:19,645 --> 00:54:20,665 you think it would be 1170 00:54:20,665 --> 00:54:22,785 because at home they dump everything out. 1171 00:54:23,205 --> 00:54:26,785 But actually less voices in the room, less children, 1172 00:54:27,535 --> 00:54:29,945 less toys, less talking. 1173 00:54:30,765 --> 00:54:33,025 We have found that if we talk less 1174 00:54:34,125 --> 00:54:38,585 and just listen to them more, we get a lot better response. 1175 00:54:39,165 --> 00:54:42,785 We really have to trim things back when we're in nursery. 1176 00:54:43,095 --> 00:54:46,905 - Yeah. And I love that emphasis on, you know, as far 1177 00:54:46,905 --> 00:54:48,865 as managing the, the toy closet and whatnot. 1178 00:54:48,865 --> 00:54:50,745 Because it sounds like with the time constraints 1179 00:54:50,745 --> 00:54:53,145 that you feel you don't have time for cleanup time. 1180 00:54:53,145 --> 00:54:54,665 Right. Like you just need 1181 00:54:54,665 --> 00:54:56,905 to be moving on to the next thing. You know, 1182 00:54:57,015 --> 00:54:59,745 - It's only an hour, it's a sacred hour, 1183 00:55:00,365 --> 00:55:01,465 but it's only an hour. 1184 00:55:01,685 --> 00:55:04,385 You really don't have a lot of time 1185 00:55:04,565 --> 00:55:07,465 to do everything you'd like to do in an hour. 1186 00:55:07,895 --> 00:55:10,185 - Well this is fantastic. Any other point, principle, 1187 00:55:10,485 --> 00:55:12,345 random tip that we need 1188 00:55:12,345 --> 00:55:13,545 to squeeze in here before we wrap up? 1189 00:55:13,545 --> 00:55:14,625 Or do we do a good job? 1190 00:55:15,255 --> 00:55:17,265 - Well, Jim did mention one thing today 1191 00:55:17,385 --> 00:55:21,665 that I'd forgotten about is when we first started nursery, 1192 00:55:21,725 --> 00:55:23,105 we didn't have this item. 1193 00:55:23,325 --> 00:55:27,065 And then quickly on, we bought it, we went on to Amazon. 1194 00:55:27,295 --> 00:55:29,185 This isn't a push for any particular 1195 00:55:29,185 --> 00:55:30,505 product or company . 1196 00:55:30,685 --> 00:55:33,985 And we found this preschool pocket hanging 1197 00:55:35,685 --> 00:55:36,855 wall thing. 1198 00:55:37,155 --> 00:55:41,255 And we hang it up on the chalkboard in every nursery we're 1199 00:55:41,255 --> 00:55:43,775 in, each child has their own pocket. 1200 00:55:44,515 --> 00:55:47,335 We take a photo of them, we put the photo in the pocket 1201 00:55:47,515 --> 00:55:50,335 so they know that's their safe pocket. 1202 00:55:51,135 --> 00:55:52,735 'cause some kids will bring in, you know, 1203 00:55:52,855 --> 00:55:55,855 a blanky toys sometimes during nursery, 1204 00:55:55,855 --> 00:55:57,255 they wanna take their shoes off. 1205 00:55:57,955 --> 00:56:01,135 And so everything that's theirs goes in that pocket. 1206 00:56:01,915 --> 00:56:04,015 And when they're done with their art project, 1207 00:56:04,315 --> 00:56:06,375 we make a big point of showing them 1208 00:56:07,125 --> 00:56:08,295 it's going in your pocket. 1209 00:56:08,915 --> 00:56:11,655 In fact, when they first arrive, we will point 1210 00:56:11,655 --> 00:56:15,215 to each picture and say their name is Jonah here? 1211 00:56:15,835 --> 00:56:20,535 Yep. There he's is Sarah here? Yep. There she is. 1212 00:56:21,195 --> 00:56:25,445 And they love to see you point to their face 1213 00:56:26,145 --> 00:56:29,965 up on the wall with their pocket, with their stuff. 1214 00:56:30,265 --> 00:56:33,565 And sometimes they'll even take their stuff, give it to you 1215 00:56:33,705 --> 00:56:35,525 and ask you to put it in their pocket. 1216 00:56:36,145 --> 00:56:38,365 And then when the parents come, the parents empty out 1217 00:56:38,365 --> 00:56:39,405 that pocket and go home. 1218 00:56:39,875 --> 00:56:43,485 Such a small, practical thing. 1219 00:56:43,905 --> 00:56:46,805 But it has made a huge difference in 1220 00:56:46,905 --> 00:56:48,805 how comfortable the children feel 1221 00:56:49,315 --> 00:56:51,005 when they're in nursery with us. 1222 00:56:51,665 --> 00:56:53,205 - Wow. That's so good. Jim 1223 00:56:53,205 --> 00:56:56,165 and Marla, you need a a nine hour masterclass for nursery. 1224 00:56:56,185 --> 00:56:59,565 So . Yeah. This is hour one. We've 1225 00:56:59,565 --> 00:57:01,845 - Just done it so long that I think that 1226 00:57:01,845 --> 00:57:03,845 after a while you figure out quickly 1227 00:57:04,875 --> 00:57:06,925 what works, what doesn't work. Yeah. 1228 00:57:07,475 --> 00:57:09,845 - Well you've definitely blessed so many lives just from, 1229 00:57:09,845 --> 00:57:12,085 from the discussion today. So, um, 1230 00:57:12,595 --> 00:57:13,765 - Come visit us in Salem 1231 00:57:13,965 --> 00:57:15,005 sometime. I'm sure we'll be nursery. 1232 00:57:15,335 --> 00:57:17,445 - We'll be in the nursery, you know where to go. 1233 00:57:18,315 --> 00:57:21,045 - Nice. I bet Being released from the nursery, you sort 1234 00:57:21,045 --> 00:57:23,765 of feel this, uh, the sadness of it all. 1235 00:57:24,035 --> 00:57:26,565 - Very much. So we go through a few weeks 1236 00:57:26,865 --> 00:57:29,005 of just talking about each child. 1237 00:57:29,515 --> 00:57:31,605 When we go home, we talk about them 1238 00:57:31,745 --> 00:57:33,405 and laugh with stuff they did. 1239 00:57:33,545 --> 00:57:38,005 And we have very much, uh, kind of a couple weeks 1240 00:57:38,025 --> 00:57:39,925 of sadness and kind 1241 00:57:39,925 --> 00:57:42,525 of a mini grief when we're released from nursery. 1242 00:57:42,795 --> 00:57:46,685 It's not, um, we don't get to have the same interactions 1243 00:57:46,685 --> 00:57:48,645 with them and their family after that. 1244 00:57:49,385 --> 00:57:52,845 So when we're called to nursery, we are on fire. 1245 00:57:53,275 --> 00:57:54,365 It's just really great. 1246 00:57:54,985 --> 00:57:59,045 And just a plug here for couples is really good 1247 00:57:59,065 --> 00:58:01,165 for our relationship Oh, cool. 1248 00:58:01,165 --> 00:58:02,645 To serve in nursery together 1249 00:58:02,645 --> 00:58:05,365 because it's something we're working on 1250 00:58:05,365 --> 00:58:06,605 during the week together. 1251 00:58:07,495 --> 00:58:09,765 We'll, we'll think of fun things we can do 1252 00:58:09,865 --> 00:58:11,005 for them or with them. 1253 00:58:11,825 --> 00:58:16,445 Um, and when we're in the class, we call each other brother 1254 00:58:16,505 --> 00:58:17,525 and sister West 1255 00:58:18,545 --> 00:58:22,965 and so they quickly learn the familiar social 1256 00:58:23,525 --> 00:58:25,525 constructs of language in the ward, you know? 1257 00:58:25,555 --> 00:58:27,405 Yeah. That's brother so and so. 1258 00:58:27,425 --> 00:58:31,765 That's sister so and so, and it's pretty cool. Yeah. 1259 00:58:31,905 --> 00:58:33,645 We love nursery. 1260 00:58:34,715 --> 00:58:35,765 - Love it. Awesome. 1261 00:58:35,915 --> 00:58:38,645 Well, this has been, uh, so encouraging 1262 00:58:38,945 --> 00:58:40,765 and, uh, so many great tips. 1263 00:58:40,945 --> 00:58:44,245 And I know the, there's so many people grateful for, uh, 1264 00:58:44,265 --> 00:58:45,885 you sharing your perspective here. 1265 00:58:45,885 --> 00:58:46,885 So the last question I have, 1266 00:58:46,885 --> 00:58:49,325 and I'll let each of you answer this, maybe we'll start 1267 00:58:49,325 --> 00:58:52,485 with you Jim, and you can have the final word, Marla, 1268 00:58:52,505 --> 00:58:56,045 but, uh, as you reflect on your time as nursery leaders, 1269 00:58:56,745 --> 00:58:58,845 how has being a leader helped you become a better 1270 00:58:58,845 --> 00:59:00,325 follower of Jesus Christ? 1271 00:59:01,105 --> 00:59:05,845 - Um, I think being in nursery I think has really taught me, 1272 00:59:06,855 --> 00:59:11,705 um, the really the sacred experience 1273 00:59:11,705 --> 00:59:13,585 with children and, uh, 1274 00:59:13,765 --> 00:59:15,465 and better appreciate the love 1275 00:59:15,465 --> 00:59:17,745 that the savior has for his children. 1276 00:59:18,405 --> 00:59:21,550 Uh, as I, you know, get a chance to work with little kids 1277 00:59:21,825 --> 00:59:25,665 and, uh, see them as they're in those formative years 1278 00:59:26,875 --> 00:59:28,345 being introduced to the gospel 1279 00:59:28,565 --> 00:59:31,985 and trying to make it, um, something 1280 00:59:31,985 --> 00:59:33,105 that they look forward to. 1281 00:59:33,485 --> 00:59:36,385 And it certainly has really helped me, 1282 00:59:37,305 --> 00:59:38,525 uh, as I've done that calling. 1283 00:59:38,595 --> 00:59:40,405 It's, it's, it's certainly one I've loved 1284 00:59:40,425 --> 00:59:42,525 and I've done a lot of very fun callings 1285 00:59:42,525 --> 00:59:43,805 that I just look forward to. 1286 00:59:44,585 --> 00:59:47,685 Uh, uh, nursery is probably at the top 1287 00:59:47,685 --> 00:59:49,925 of my list actually. Marla, what about 1288 00:59:49,925 --> 00:59:50,925 - You? 1289 00:59:51,105 --> 00:59:54,365 Um, for me, I think it's been good to let go of my ego 1290 00:59:55,035 --> 00:59:58,925 because when you're in nursery, it's never really about you. 1291 00:59:59,435 --> 01:00:00,605 It's always about them. 1292 01:00:01,505 --> 01:00:06,285 And I think too, um, when people ask me, you know, 1293 01:00:06,645 --> 01:00:08,925 wouldn't you rather be serving somewhere else? 1294 01:00:09,145 --> 01:00:10,965 Or, I've had people make comments like, 1295 01:00:11,465 --> 01:00:12,765 you got called to nursery. 1296 01:00:12,765 --> 01:00:13,765 What a waste of talent. 1297 01:00:15,065 --> 01:00:19,165 And I think about that and I think, well, you know what? 1298 01:00:19,275 --> 01:00:21,085 It's about letting go of your ego. 1299 01:00:21,115 --> 01:00:26,005 Because Jesus wasn't about how cool he was. 1300 01:00:26,425 --> 01:00:29,525 We know how cool he was. We know how cool he is. 1301 01:00:30,265 --> 01:00:31,605 But he wasn't about that. 1302 01:00:32,445 --> 01:00:34,275 Every time you see an interaction 1303 01:00:34,275 --> 01:00:36,275 with Jesus in the scriptures, 1304 01:00:37,375 --> 01:00:40,195 he is never saying it about himself. 1305 01:00:40,305 --> 01:00:42,795 It's about that person he's interacting with. 1306 01:00:43,495 --> 01:00:45,395 And he doesn't do a group think. 1307 01:00:46,095 --> 01:00:50,195 He doesn't say, oh, well I'll only lead 5,000 people 1308 01:00:50,465 --> 01:00:54,595 because that's more important than leading one. 1309 01:00:55,335 --> 01:00:56,355 But he doesn't do that. 1310 01:00:56,655 --> 01:00:59,315 He always gets the individual 1311 01:00:59,855 --> 01:01:01,755 and meets them where they're at. 1312 01:01:02,715 --> 01:01:06,175 And I think nursery is so important 1313 01:01:06,175 --> 01:01:09,465 because we have to let go of our egos. 1314 01:01:09,515 --> 01:01:12,105 Those children are never going to remember us. 1315 01:01:13,055 --> 01:01:15,675 How many people remember being three or younger? 1316 01:01:16,295 --> 01:01:17,915 Not many humans can do that. 1317 01:01:18,695 --> 01:01:20,955 So we watch these children grow up 1318 01:01:21,175 --> 01:01:25,475 and even in our very ward, they don't remember who we were 1319 01:01:25,935 --> 01:01:28,715 and how much effort and love we put into them 1320 01:01:28,775 --> 01:01:30,075 and their class time. 1321 01:01:30,495 --> 01:01:34,945 But it doesn't matter because it's not about us or our ego. 1322 01:01:35,095 --> 01:01:39,705 It's about we built that peaceful feeling in them so 1323 01:01:39,705 --> 01:01:41,185 that they will wake up 1324 01:01:41,185 --> 01:01:43,345 and say, I can't wait to go to church. 1325 01:01:44,165 --> 01:01:48,425 Church is a safe place. I'm loved. I feel happy there. 1326 01:01:48,975 --> 01:01:52,665 Something feels good about church. That's what we want. 1327 01:01:53,405 --> 01:01:56,665 And if they forget about us in two years, that's okay. 1328 01:01:56,945 --> 01:02:01,265 'cause we did our job. I think that's how Jesus operates. 1329 01:02:01,905 --> 01:02:04,705 I think the Holy Ghost especially operates that way 1330 01:02:04,705 --> 01:02:07,745 because in the latter day Saint Church, 1331 01:02:08,365 --> 01:02:09,945 we talk about the Holy Ghost, 1332 01:02:10,085 --> 01:02:13,065 but we really don't know who that individual is. 1333 01:02:13,885 --> 01:02:18,145 And that individual has to have absolutely no ego 1334 01:02:19,295 --> 01:02:21,795 to be such an important member of the Godhead 1335 01:02:22,175 --> 01:02:24,955 and to rarely be mentioned or thought of. 1336 01:02:25,575 --> 01:02:29,635 And so for us, I think nursery really taught us to kind 1337 01:02:29,635 --> 01:02:31,115 of let go of ourselves 1338 01:02:31,735 --> 01:02:34,555 and not expect to get something out of church, 1339 01:02:34,975 --> 01:02:36,875 but to put it in. 1340 01:02:46,255 --> 01:02:48,995 - And that concludes this how I lead interview. 1341 01:02:49,315 --> 01:02:51,435 I hope you enjoyed it. And uh, I would ask you, 1342 01:02:51,435 --> 01:02:54,035 could you take a minute and drop this link in an email, 1343 01:02:54,095 --> 01:02:55,915 on social media, in a text, 1344 01:02:56,595 --> 01:02:58,555 wherever it makes the most sense, and share it with somebody 1345 01:02:58,575 --> 01:03:00,995 who could relate to this, this experience. 1346 01:03:01,175 --> 01:03:04,555 And this is how we, how we develop as leaders, just hearing 1347 01:03:04,555 --> 01:03:06,875 what the other guy's doing, trying some things out, testing, 1348 01:03:07,025 --> 01:03:08,675 adjusting for your area. 1349 01:03:08,895 --> 01:03:10,875 And, uh, that's, that's 1350 01:03:10,875 --> 01:03:12,475 where great leadership's discovered, right? 1351 01:03:12,495 --> 01:03:15,275 So we would love to have you, uh, share this with, uh, 1352 01:03:15,555 --> 01:03:16,595 somebody in this calling 1353 01:03:16,695 --> 01:03:19,155 or a related calling and that would be great. 1354 01:03:19,455 --> 01:03:22,355 And also, if you know somebody, uh, any type of leader 1355 01:03:22,655 --> 01:03:25,235 who would be a fantastic guest on the How I Lead segment, 1356 01:03:25,575 --> 01:03:26,635 uh, reach out to us. 1357 01:03:26,655 --> 01:03:28,435 Go to leading saints.org/contact. 1358 01:03:28,725 --> 01:03:31,395 Maybe send this in individual an email letting them know 1359 01:03:31,395 --> 01:03:33,715 that you're going to be suggesting their name 1360 01:03:33,815 --> 01:03:34,875 for this interview. 1361 01:03:34,975 --> 01:03:36,595 We will reach out to them and, 1362 01:03:36,695 --> 01:03:38,195 uh, see if we can line 'em up. 1363 01:03:38,195 --> 01:03:40,435 So again, go to leading saints.org/contact 1364 01:03:40,855 --> 01:03:42,675 and there you can submit all the information 1365 01:03:43,055 --> 01:03:45,435 and let us know, and maybe they will be on a feature 1366 01:03:45,495 --> 01:03:47,675 how I lead Segment on the Leading Saints podcast. 1367 01:03:48,595 --> 01:03:49,875 Remember, check the show notes to listen 1368 01:03:49,875 --> 01:03:52,715 to the powerful presentation by the general young men, 1369 01:03:52,715 --> 01:03:54,475 young women Advisory Council members, 1370 01:03:54,815 --> 01:03:57,195 or go to leading saints.org/fourteen. 1371 01:04:03,735 --> 01:04:06,835 - It came as a result of the position of leadership, 1372 01:04:06,835 --> 01:04:10,995 which was imposed upon us by the God of Heaven, 1373 01:04:11,135 --> 01:04:14,275 who brought forth a restoration of the gospel 1374 01:04:14,455 --> 01:04:15,795 of Jesus Christ. 1375 01:04:16,375 --> 01:04:19,955 And when the Declaration was made concerning, the only, 1376 01:04:20,425 --> 01:04:23,675 only true and living church upon the face of the earth, 1377 01:04:24,335 --> 01:04:27,755 we were immediately put in a position of loneliness. 1378 01:04:27,975 --> 01:04:29,795 The loneliness of leadership 1379 01:04:30,545 --> 01:04:33,435 from which we cannot shrink nor run away. 1380 01:04:34,655 --> 01:04:38,475 And to which we must face up with boldness and courage 1381 01:04:39,335 --> 01:04:39,955 and ability.