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Conference, through a toddlers eyes…

October 6th, 2008 · 3 Comments · a day in the life, bridget

You may remember my last post about Conference and toddlers, it came 6 months ago just after the last General Conference. I went back and read that post as I was preparing for this one, and I have to say that I was able to listen to the talks significantly better this time around. Amazing what 6 months time can change.

Anyway, for this conference I decided to print off a coloring/activity packet for Bridget to work on while she listened. I used this one. The activities were more than a little bit advanced for her, but I figured she’d have fun coloring the pages anyway. I sent it to the printer and gave it to her about 10 minutes before the first session started on Saturday morning. She was immediately excited and walked around the house for those 10 minutes exclaiming, “I’m ready for watch conference!”

By the time the meeting began she was already seated with her papers and a bag of crayons.

I really wanted to encourage her to listen and at least be somewhat reverent through the whole thing. I was actually pleasantly surprised and impressed at how much she did pay attention. She made it through the entire first session with her coloring pages and some gold fish crackers to keep her busy. And, she had a lot of questions (and some comments) about what was happening in conference.

My notes were filled with some of her thoughts and comments that first session…

Just before the opening prayer…

T: Okay, fold your arms they are going to say a prayer.
B: They said it! Is that the bishop now?
T: No, its kind of like when the bishop stands up at church. But this is Thomas S. Monson. He’s the prophet.
B: Oh, the prophet.

When President Monson’s name is displayed on the screen…

B: Is it over?
T: No.
B: But I see words.
T: No, its not over yet. That’s just his name.

During the Mormon Tabernacle Choir…

B: Now is it over?
T: No, they’ll sing and talk. It won’t be over for awhile.
B: Okay, good. I don’t want it to be over.
B: Look! They are all boys… Now they are all mom’s. Where did their boys go?
T: Just watch, you’ll see them again.
B: Oh, they all have necklaces on.

During L. Tom Perry’s talk…

B: (laughing)
T: What?
B: He said get enough sleep.
T: Yep.
B: (more laughing)

During Neil L. Anderson’s talk…

B: What’s his name?
T: It says Neil L. Anderson
B: Neil L. Anderson
T: He’s talking about a mission. Do you know anyone on a mission?
B: Um. Yea.
T: Who?
B: Matt.
…a few minutes later…
B: He’s talking about another mission
…a few minutes later…
B: He’s talking about something?
T: Something?
B: Yea.

While President Monson is announcing the next portion of the program…

B: I’ll be right back.
T: Okay.
B: (bringing her doll) Emma wants to watch conference too
T: She does?
B: Yea. (To Emma) Do you like this?
Both Bridget and her Emma doll watched careful as the choir sang
B: Emma likes this
T: Oh. Good.

During Dallin H. Oaks talk…

B: Its his turn again, huh?
T: That’s a different guy. Do you know what his name is?
B: Who is he?
T: Dallin H. Oaks
B: Dallin H. Oats
T: Oaks
B: Oats
T: Dallin H. OaKs
B: Dallin H. OaKs
T: Yep. Lets listen

During the Mormon Tabernacle Choir…

B: Where are their homes at?
T: They all have different homes all of the place.
B: Look, all the girls have singing books!

During Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s talk…

B: What’s his name?
T: Dieter F. Uchtdorf. Can you say that?
B: No, I can’t.
T: Dieter F. Uchtdorf
B: Oh.
…a few minutes later…
B: That guys said he wants a toy phone (laughing)
T: Kind of. He did mention a toy phone.
B: Yea.
…minutes later…
B: What’s his name?
T: Dieter F. Uchtdorf
B: Oh.
…minutes later…
B: What’s his name?
T: Dieter F. Uchtdorf
B: Oh.
…minutes later…
B: That guy is talking about God
T: Yes, he is.
B: Is it time for a prayer now?
T: After he is done there is a song, and then a prayer.
B” Oh. Okay.

During the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, they were singing I need Thee Every Hour…

B: Oh, I like this song!

It was interesting to see her knowledge of what we do in sacrament meeting and her knowledge of how television shows/or movies work impacted her interpretation of what was going on in conference. Naturally she would assume that after the prayer, it would be the bishop (or bishopric member’s) turn to stand. And words on the screen must mean that the show is over. I also found it interesting that she noticed the comment about the toy phone and the fact that the women in the choir were wearing necklaces. Both are important items in her little life.

She was napping during the Saturday afternoon session.

I didn’t take too many notes on her comments Sunday morning, but here are a couple of items to note:

During Robert D. Hales talk, he was talking about the wicked King Noah and Abinidi…

B: He’s talking about my scriptures!!
T: Yes, he is.
B: That’s pretty cool, huh!
(Dave and I just smiled at each other)

Toward the end of that session she seemed to be quickly loosing interest, so I thought I’d try something. I went to the cupboard and got a back of candy corn. I told her that if she could listen and tell me what the speaker was talking about that I’d give her one. She’d listen for a minute and respond with something like “give thanks” or “he said expression” – so, she was listening, but maybe not really comprehending. I gave her a candy corn anyway.

Of course, at that point Dave, Ben (BIL), and Karla (sister) started spouting out things President Monson said in his talk so that they too could have a candy corn. Some of their comments were more sophisticated than others.

I did like the concept of the game though, maybe it will work a little better in another 6 months.

Overall, I was pleased at how well she paid attention and how reverent she was while “watching” conference. I was able to get a lot more from this conference than I did last time – particularly the Saturday sessions. It seems that her interest dwindled a bit each session. She was very attentive Saturday morning, but by Sunday afternoon she was lining up PEZ dispensers to they could watch conference, and sitting at the kitchen table painting – by that point we let her play, as long as she was quiet.

I don’t know which talk I would say is my favorite, but I did notice themes of hope and missionary work throughout the conference. I did really enjoy President Monson’s talk about change – for some reason it caught my attention. I also noticed that a number of the speakers mentioned teachings of their own mothers in their talks… interesting!

What was your favorite part of conference? What kid-friendly methods did you use?

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