Introduce the choir to the solfege method. Solfege is teaching method for singing where syllables are used to represent the notes of major or minor scales. The syllables used are do, re, mi, fa, sol, la and ti. When teaching young children, use the fixed-do system. This system maintains that the syllable do always represents the musical note "c."
Teach children major scales. Use the piano to demonstrate major scales to the choir. Have them sing along with you as you play them on the piano so they can become familiar with the solfege syllables as well as the notes of the major scales.
Teach the choir the solfege chromatic tones. With each major scale, there are chromatic tones or each note's sharp or flat tone. In the solfege method, the raised or sharp tones are as follows: di, ri, fi, si and li. The lowered or flat tones are ra, me, se, le, te.
Lead the choir in singing a scale that includes both major and chromatic tones. The solfege syllables for this scale, in the raised form, are do, di, re, ri, mi, fa, fi, so, si, la, li, ti and do. The syllables for the lowered form of this scale are do, ti, te, la, le, so, se, fa, mi, me, re, ra and do.
Give the children simple sheet music where the solfege syllables are written along side the lyrics. Have the students first learn the music by singing the solfege syllables. This method ensures that they will learn the music first before trying to memorize the lyrics. Once the choir demonstrates competent singing of the song, allow them to replace the solfege syllables with the lyrics.