Ministry-To-Children.com » Teacher Tips

Harnessing the High Energy Level of Preteens

Guest Writer — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:29:38 +0000

**This is a guest post from Nick Diliberto from PreteenMinistry.net

Preteens have a high energy level. If you’ve worked with them for five minutes, you know this to be true. They can’t sit still for very long, get easily distracted like to move around a lot. Especially the boys. The body of a preteen is rapidly changing and the brain is undergoing a tremendous amount of change. Because of these changes, preteens are naturally hyper.

The dilemma is that I, like many other leaders, have a significantly lower energy level. I’m 36 years old and married with three kids. My life, like yours, is busy and often energy draining. My idea of a good time is sitting down to read a good book in peace and quiet. Many of the leaders on my team, except High School students, are the same way. As a result, the typical leader is a bit freaked out by preteens’ high energy level. Often it becomes a roadblock to learning and a point of frustration for many.

The key is to harness their energy and use it constructively. How? Here’s one way: provide energy releases. My friend Patrick Snow, director of SuperStart, came up with this terminology. I like it.

Preteens are in a continual state of building up energy screaming to be released. It’s a part of their physical development. I’ve actually read research that says the brain of a preteen learns best after bursts of energy releases. It clears the mind and opens it up to learning. Preteens are going to release energy, so you can either fight against it or use it to your advantage.

I’ve found it effective to play an active large group game at the beginning of the service. That way, we hit the ground running and any pint up energy is immediately released. Often times the game is related to the day’s topic, and often it isn’t. The key is to keep them moving, setting them up for the next element, which for us is usually a large group message or worship.

Another energy release is worship. Make worship interactive and experiential. Encourage them to let loose and move around.

Lastly, small groups are an opportunity for an energy release. We usually do small groups after a large group message. Since students have now been sitting for some time at this point, we start with some sort of activity that gets them moving. We then move into reading the Bible or discussion time.

Preteens have way more energy than us leaders. Instead of it being a source of frustration, learn to harness that energy into a positive direction. Experiment with your group and discover what works best.

Nick Diliberto is creator of PreteenMinistry.net, which provides creative curriculum and resources for preteen ministry. He is also the preteen columnist for Children’s Ministry Magazine and Children’s Pastor at Seven San Diego Church.

How to Make Sunday School More Fun

Jenny Funderburke — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:41:28 +0000

One of my favorite quotes of all time is “It is a sin to bore a kid with the Bible“. I don’t know who originally said it, but I saw it long ago used in an ad for curriculum. I completely agree.

We have the most exciting story of all time to tell, yet Sunday School does not generally have the reputation for being fun. How can we change that? Here are six steps to help bring more fun into your Sunday School.

1. Be prepared. Let’s be honest, listening to someone read straight from the teacher’s guide and watching them have their nose buried in the book is not very exciting. The better you can know your lesson ahead of time, the more freedom you have to lead the fun. You can’t make the class the very best experience for the kids if you aren’t ready when you walk in.

2. Have fun yourself. Remember the old Jerry Maguire quote from that little kid, “Did you know dogs and bees smell fear?” Kids can smell fear and can also smell out if you don’t want to be there. Ask God to renew your joy for being in the classroom. Model for your kids what it looks like to truly live Psalm 122:1… “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord.”

3. Laugh a lot. Along the same lines, your classroom should be a place of lots of laughs. Laughter is the language of fun for kids. Yes, the Bible is serious, but God is a God of great joy. Kids are attracted to laughter, so seek out ways to get them giggling.

4. Keep it active and moving. Kids are kids and sitting still is not fun for them. Use lots of variety in your lessons. There are appropriate times for kids to sit still and listen, but they just can’t do it for an hour. Look for ways to incorporate games, movement, drama, and other activities that get them out of their chairs. Remember, kids’ attention spans are about one minute for each age of their lives. So for six year olds, you should aim to change up what you are doing every six minutes or so.

5. Make sure it is relevant. Help your kids connect what they are learning to their real lives. When kids can’t see why what you are teaching is important, they will quickly label it as “important”. Help them see that God’s Word is “living and active” and help them specifically see how your lesson can impact their lives.

6. Connect kids. Kids have a need to feel like they belong. Use their names, include each one in activities, and get everyone involved. Some kids are more reserved than others, but the more you can get everyone involved, the more they will have fun. Also, concentrate on connecting kids to one another. The fun factor greatly increases when kids make friends.

Learning Stations for Children’s Ministry

Mimi Bullock — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:11:30 +0000

Herding children in and out of classes becomes a bit tedious week after week but cool stations will have kids wanting to stay. Developing special points of interest in the class will help you direct kids into prayer and worship. Stations are also useful for directing volunteer assignments and giving workers a chance to lead in new areas. Use stations to reinforce a Bible lesson or a special verse of scripture. Put your creative team to work customizing these center ideas.

Meet the Missionaries: Place a large globe at the station along with pictures of missionaries associated with your church. Kids especially like seeing pictures of children from other nations and cultures. Have dried food samples and other artifacts that are relative to the mission for kids to touch and feel.

Prayer Station: It’s good to teach kids the importance of prayer while they are young. Place a picture of the president and local leaders at this station. Ask kids to pray for their leaders, pastoral staff, friends and family. Post easy to read prayers or the Lord’s prayer above the area, at kid eye level, of course.

Bible Art: Keep this spot stocked with Bible arts and crafts supplies. Leave one example of the craft on the table so kids can work independently if you’re short on volunteers. Only place supplies out that will be used with the current craft. Remember to choose age appropriate activities.

Worship Station: This is a good station idea if you want to focus teaching on the importance of worship. Place a CD player at this table and play worship music softly. Have ribbons, streamers and musical instruments on hand for kids. Also, encourage aspiring singers by providing printed lyrics so they can sing along.

Puppet Players: Puppet play allows children to act out what they’ve learned. Provide a cardboard box puppet stage along with puppets. Decorate the stage colorfully and a few Bible props. Encourage children at this station to put on plays about their Bible lessons or their favorite characters.

Dress Up Center: A dress up center is exciting for kids of all ages. Shop second hand stores and buy clothing like robes, tunics and costumes. Wash the materials then place them in a large tub at this station. Hang a mirror so kids can see themselves dressed as the characters from the Bible.

Friendship Table: Fellowship and friendship are important for growing a church. Kids love making new friends but sometimes they need encouragement to do so. Place two or multiple player games at the friendship table. Hang a bulletin board with pictures of each child and his favorite things.

Stations are fun for teachers and for children. Mix up stations seasonally and add stations as you need them.

Read more from Mimi by following her blog, “Encouragement for Christians.”

How To Encourage Sunday School Attendance

Jenny Funderburke — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:37:05 +0000

Do you notice the trend that many families are choosing to attend Sunday School every other week? For most churches, kids’ attendance is more and more sporadic as their lives get busier and busier. There are a few strategies that we can use to encourage kids to attend Sunday School. Click here to share your own ideas with other readers.

1. Notice when they are NOT there. I’m always amazed by the response by kids and families to a simple “We missed you” card. People want to know that you care. When they know that you care whether they are there or not, kids are more likely to come. Train teachers to send notes, make calls, or follow up in other ways when their kiddos are missing. We use our attendance software to track absences. After missing four weeks a child gets a postcard. If they have missed 5-7 they get a call from our staff, then another postcard after 8 weeks.

2. Make it fun. If kids feel like they are going to miss something, they are going to do their best not to miss. Make it your goal to have kids dragging their parents to church.

3. Regularly schedule “high attendance” events. People show up for special occasions, especially if there is food involved. Pick one Sunday a quarter to be your “high attendance” day. Create a fun theme. Encourage all teachers to contact everyone on their rolls.

4. Help kids feel connected with each other. One of the top reasons I hear of why kids don’t want to go to Sunday School is that they “don’t know anyone”. Each week include a “get to know you” ice breaker in every class.

5. Have fun social events outside of class. This relates to the point above about helping kids connect with each other. If they can have fun together outside of Sunday morning, they will feel more comfortable in class, and then they will be more likely to come..

6. Follow up with visitors. Make sure you have a great plan for following up with new families who attend your church. Help them feel welcome, answer their questions, and encourage them to come back. Consider also sending out welcome packets with information about your ministry and maybe even a small gift card or coupon.

For more ideas, read our post about making families and children feel welcome in your church. You might also enjoy our bulletin insert that lists 10 Reasons To Bring Your Child To Sunday School.

10 Tips for Reaching the Hard to Reach Child

Mimi Bullock — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:21:40 +0000

I love children so much. I look forward to scooping each one of them up and holding them in my arms as long as they’ll let me. Like you, God has blessed me with the capability of loving and accepting children, seeing them for who they are in God.

What about children who shrink back from this attention. Some children close themselves off and become difficult to reach. No hugs can be administered because I am kept at a safe, untrusting distance. But like the Good Shepherd, I’m determined to gather them in. It’s this one lost sheep that I feel compelled to bring into the fold.

Reaching the hard to reach child requires patience and a holy determination. You have to be willing to go the distance. You must! Take heart Christian minister—it can be done!

So how do you begin? How can you do it? These steps will help you minister to these children. Keep in mind, these steps aren’t written in stone and there’s no timeline associated that I can give. Each child is different. You may have to repeat several steps for a long period of time.

1. Minister to yourself. Remind yourself that you aren’t personally being rejected. This isn’t about you—it’s war for a precious soul. Aloofness is evidence of a struggle.

2. Focus on Jesus. Teach about Him, talk about Him. His words in red, as my children call them, can work miracles on the hearers.

3. Pray in private for the child. Bring him before the Lord every day. Ask for wisdom and insight on reaching the child.

4. Assign someone. Children that have been abused by adults or are extremely timid may not warm up to a grown up. Assign a younger minister to befriend the child. A teen helper or young adult would make the perfect match for a hard to reach child.

5. Counter anger with love. The hard to reach child will likely exhibit anger. Do the unexpected and counter every angry act with love. Love disarms, love heals.

6. Respect the child’s boundaries. Don’t touch, if he doesn’t want to be touched. If she shrinks away from your hugs, respect the distance. Not everyone has to hug us. (Sad but true.)

7. Wait for opportunities. When Christ is involved, miracles will happen! Be prepared for opportunities. Don’t be surprised if the hard to reach child finally confides in you or asks you to pray. Be immediate in your response and don’t make them wait. You may not get another opportunity.

8. Go to them. Take your ministry outside the four walls. Pay a visit! Bring cookies or the child’s favorite snack and make an in-home visit. Always call ahead for approval.

9. Be sincere. Kids can spot a fake easily. Always be honest. Never fake answers and laugh at your own mistakes.

10. Don’t make promises you can’t keep. The quickest way to undo all your hard work is to break a promise. To the hard to reach child, broken promises are “proof” that you don’t really care. Be careful about promising things.

The hard to reach child needs you. Follow the child’s lead as you lead him to the cross.

How to Organize a Sunday School Closet

Mimi Bullock — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 11:43:20 +0000

Running a fast-paced Sunday School takes more than a willing heart. Preparation and organization are keys to keeping your class in order. Organization begins with the Sunday School storage closet. Keeping supplies in order will make them easier to find and will keep them from becoming damaged. Nothing is more infuriating then reaching for a last minute craft and finding components missing. Invest a few hours and a few dollars and build a reliable system for storing ministry supplies.

Follow these organizational steps and get your group’s goodies in order.

Start with a clean slate. Take everything out of your current storage closet. If you’re like me, you’ll need to sift and sort through what you have. Toss out anything you don’t foresee using. Place everything on tables or a countertop. If you have no current storage unit, gather all the supplies together and make a guess about what size storage unit you need to purchase. Snap a photo of your gathered supplies. Take it with you to a home improvement store. I did this and found a nice sales help person. I got a great deal!
Choose storage bins that fit neatly inside the closet. In addition, you’ll need binders, labels and a good permanent marker or possibly a label-maker.
Slide all your coloring pages, worksheets and printables inside sheet protectors. Place the protected sheets inside binders. It’s a good idea to have a separate binder for each subject.
Create a label for each binder and attach the label to the spine.
Sort crayons by size and/or color. This is a good time to separate the broken crayons from the intact ones. (Don’t toss them though because you can make cool wax place mat crafts with crayons.) Place the crayons in handled storage containers.
Place scissors, yarn, cotton balls, glue and other supplies in plastic containers. Label the container where it can be easily viewed like on the side or on the lid.
Arrange the stored supplies on the shelves of the storage closet. Rearrange the shelves until you are happy with the results. Use the label maker to create labels for the front of the shelves. Labeling the shelves will help volunteers put back items correctly.

Don’t let your hard work go to waste. Place a lock on the outside of your storage closet to keep little hands from invading your warehouse of goodies. Make closet organization a regular part of your room cleaning. This will help you stay on top of closet chaos and missing resources. Attach a clipboard with a sign out sheet if you share the close with many volunteers. Tracking resources keeps everyone accountable.

How to Reach the Hyperactive Child

Jenny Funderburke — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:29:29 +0000

We recently posted an article on managing behavior in your children’s ministry. This post takes some of those tips a step further to help the most active kids in your ministry. Read the suggestions below and then share your own ideas in our comment section.

1. Show love anyway. Hyperactive kids can be frustrating. They don’t listen. They are always fiddling with something. They usually are messing with someone else. They are running. Always running. You say their names at least 100 times during one service. They are exhausting. BUT… they are still God’s babies. Jesus loves them just as much as He loves the children who sit quietly and obey immediately. When we are called to serve kids, we don’t get to pick who we love. These kids likely need love even more than other kids. You think life is tough dealing with hyperactive kids? Try being one! Just imagine having more energy than you can control, knowing that you constantly annoy others, and that adults don’t like you. That’s a pretty tough life for a kid. Shower these kids with love.

2. Set limits. Sometimes we mistakenly think that if we are not loving a child when we get onto them for their behavior. Every child needs boundaries, especially hyperactive kids. Granted, they will push them every single time. You still must remain firm. However, make sure that the limits you set are for the very most important things. Don’t major on minor deals. Don’t set a limit that a hyperactive child can never successfully follow. For example, expecting a child to sit still in a chair for an hour is likely not acheiveable.

3. Give them something to do with their hands. If you need hyperactive kids to sit quietly, give them something to keep their hands busy. Things that work well are a small piece of putty, a pipe cleaner they can bend, a stress ball, etc… This can also backfire and become a distraction, but generally it helps hyperactive kids to have an appropriate place to direct extra energy.

4. Give them something significant to do. Giving these kids a job may make you a little crazy but it does at least two things for them. First it keeps them busy. If they have to pay attention and know when to click a mouse or unstack chairs, they are not going to find other ways to entertain themselves. Second, and more important, is that you communicate that there is value for them being there. They have probably been many places where they got the impression that adults would prefer that they aren’t there. God help us if we communicate that at church.

5. Give extra attention. You have a choice. Either be intentional about giving extra attention to the hyperactive kids or they will find ways that you may not love to get your attention. Generally, these kids are craving attention and will get it one way or another. Be proactive and invest extra in the relationship. Fuss over them, speak kindly to them, make a big positive deal about them being there.

6. Accept that they are going to learn differently – Just because they rolling around on the floor doesn’t mean your hyper friends aren’t learning. They are probably absorbing more than anyone else in the room, but they just can’t sit still and listen. Granted, there will be a lot they miss because they are distracted, but you would be amazed to know how much is truly sinking in.

7. Make your lessons as active and interactive as possible. Hyperactive kids need movement and opportunities to make noise. Design your lessons in ways that let them accomplish these two goals in a productive manner. Include games and lots of interaction. Get kids out of their seats and get them talking.

8. Pray. These little guys have a pretty tough road. Pray for God to work in their hearts. Pray for Him to help you as you minister to them. Pray when they are driving you batty. Pray for God to break your heart to love the hyper kids like He does. Pray for God to help you see beyond the wiggles and loud and constant motion and to see the child that Jesus died for.

10 Classroom Management Tricks That Work

Jenny Funderburke — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 18:33:51 +0000

Working with kids is the greatest task in the world, but it is also exhausting! Anytime you are in a room with children, you can be a minute away from chaos. There are no magic answers, but there are certainly some tricks that can help you keep control of the classroom.

1. Be over-prepared. The more ready you are, the more in control you will be. Know your lesson inside and out so that your face is not behind a book. Have all of your supplies. If you have to stop to look for crayons, your kiddos might turn on you! When you are prepared for your lesson, you will have more brain space to help keep kids on track.

2.Move around while you teach and vary your way of talking. You will lose kids attention quickly if you sit in a chair and talk to them in a monotone voice. Move around and talk like you are excited about what you are teaching.

4. Make lessons interactive. Get kids moving. If you expect kids to sit in a chair for an hour, you are setting your expectations too high. Design your lessons so that kids get to move, talk, laugh, and play while they learn. Kids will find a way to have fun. Create lessons that let them have fun your way.

5. Teach to multiple learning styles. Kids learn lots of different ways. We tend to teach to the way we like to learn or the way that we were taught growing up. Recognize that some kids learn by working with others. Some learn by being creative. Some learn by quiet activities. Some learn by active games. The more of a variety of these activities that you can incorporate, the more likely you will hit everyone’s learning style.

6. Be a name dropper. When I am teaching and Sammy interrupts, I will gently insert Sammy’s name into what I’m saying. I will generally not stop and distract everyone, but might say, “And then, Sammy, you know what happened next?”

7. Move close to kids who are causing distractions. Again, without interrupting the flow of your lesson, move closer to kids who are having a hard time paying attention. Put a hand on their shoulder. Usually your proximity will help regain their attention.

8. Keep the lesson moving. The rate of your lesson is important too. Keep activities moving. It is better to end an activity before everyone is bored with it than to wait until kids find new ways to entertain themselves. Make transitions between activity quick and smooth. Downtime can be your greatest enemy in managing behavior.

9. Avoid power struggles. Remember that you are the grown up. Arguing with an eight year old is just silly. But sometimes we get so aggravated by the disrespect or the misbehavior that we choose to prove our point and prove our authority. And usually it ends in a standoff that is pointless. Choose your battles and resolve conflict quickly. Remember, you are the grown up.

10. Choose which behaviors to ignore and behaviors to stop. Sometimes we disrupt the class more by jumping on behaviors that really don’t matter. Some kids want the attention, even if it is negative. Ignore behaviors that you can, but don’t hesitate to stop the behaviors that are keeping others from learning.

These tricks are just a starting point and ever master teacher will learn what works by experience. Please leave a comment to share your best ideas for managing children’s behavior in a learning environment.

How to Decorate a Sunday School Classroom

Mimi Bullock — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 10:43:21 +0000

The Sunday School classroom is the center for Biblical learning and should offer a safe, enjoyable atmosphere for kids to worship and deepen their knowledge of God. One way to set the tone for life-changing moments and lessons is with colorful wall hangings, bulletin boards and table displays.

A decorated classroom sends a secret message; it says, “I care.” Show kids how excited you are and help them visualize the stories with the right pictures. Keep in mind, kids get bored, so don’t forget to swap out decorations or at least move them around quarterly.

Foam Signs: I love foam signs and often create them for ministry friends. They are messy during the creation process but once you’ve finished, you’ll have a great decoration. My Sunday School classes usually end up with fun, acronymic names like “TNT” or “GANG.” You can even use the word “School” or “Jesus.” Here’s how to make this classroom decoration.

Buy a 2-inch or 3-inch thick block of foam sheeting.
Use a pencil to draw the word on the foam, making it big. I’ve cheated and used a projector in the past.
Trace the letters with a permanent marker then carve it out using a sharp knife.
Finish this lightweight project with some craft paint. I like bright colors but you can make the sign look like a stone or rock too.
Hang it easily by pushing the back on a large nail.

Picture Frames: Kids like displaying their artwork but sometimes Mom and Dad get a little over saturated with coloring pages. I urge kids to leave their art work occasionally wear everyone can see it. To avoid a thousand pushpin holes in the wall, I install picture frames. Buy inexpensive ones that are easy to swap out and place them in a block on a wall of the classroom. From time to time, display a few new artworks. It’s always a good idea to keep the pics at kids’ eye level. Kids shouldn’t have to strain to see their work.

Story Time Rugs: Comfy rugs that don’t stain easily make the perfect decorations for a classroom. A cozy rug invites kids to snuggle up and listen to the Bible story. I find that this kind of practical decoration is worth the cost because it serves many purposes – comfort for kids and hides imperfections in the existing flooring.

Sunday Calendars: You’ve heard of a month of Sundays? I use this calendar idea to incentivize kids to attend and decorate the classroom. Here’s how you do it:

Cover the bulletin board with a solid color paper, stapling it in place.
Cover the edges with a bulletin board strip.
Cut out four or five large circles or shapes from construction paper, according to how many Sundays in the month.
Write on each circle the title of the lesson and some exciting clues about what you’ll be doing that Sunday.

My kids always race to the bulletin board to see what’s happening in our next month of Sundays.

Crafting Centerpieces: Just about every Sunday, most classes have a craft. I arrange the craft supplies in the center of the tables, placing goodies in baskets for decorations. If I have exceptionally fidgety children who can’t resist touching, I place these items on my desk as a centerpiece. It’s fun to light a flameless candle and place a flower arrangement with the supplies. It’s an artsy centerpiece that kids love seeing.

Wall Murals: When I began in ministry in 1997, I loved using murals. Over the years, I’ve decided I like them less because I like changing my room decorations more often than practical if a mural is involved. However, many good Sunday School programs make murals a permanent part of their decorations. Some good ones I’ve seen: a puppet wall that doubled as a puppet stand, a futuristic city called the “City of God” and an artist’s studio. If you have someone in your ministry who has good skills with murals, by all means put them to work.

Read more about Mimi at her website Encouragement for Christians.

How to Teach Sunday School

Mimi Bullock — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 10:43:21 +0000

“Sunday Schools” were first established in the 1700′s in Britain to educate poor children on how to read and write. These children worked six days a week, were very poor and many were starving.

Today, public school systems teach our kids the “three R’s” but little about God or His Word. Enter the Sunday School teacher!

If you’ve decided to become a Christian educator, you are joining the ranks of a long, proud line of selfless servants who love God and kids. If you are learning how to teach Sunday School, there are some practical keys you should know. Once you have the basics, read our next article on becoming an awesome Sunday School teacher.

1. Know the ages of your children. The curriculum may cover several ages or grades but to really grab kids’ attention, you’ll need to apply the “Minute Rule.” If you teach 8-year olds, you have eight minutes to cover each section. If you teach 6-years, you’ll have 6 minutes. Keep the material appropriate for the age of the children.

2. Use the Bible translation preferred by your church. Some churches may prefer King James Version others may like teachers to use the New International Version. Double-check before you begin teaching.

3. Prepare ahead of time. Kids that see their teacher unprepared and unorganized will translate that to “She really doesn’t care about the class, or me.” Don’t wait till the night before or the morning of class to go over your listen. You’ll need time to gather your supplies and pray over the lesson.

4. Include a variety of activities. Don’t plan to talk the entire time. Kids need interaction, they like stretching their muscles. Include a section for physical movement, crafting and expressions of worship. This should be part of your weekly curriculum.

5. Promote attendance by using special charts or posters. Place star stickers next to each child’s name when they attend Sunday School. Use incentives for attendance like small prizes or fun activities.

6. Arrange the room in a kid friendly manner. Kids need the appropriate tables and chairs for comfort. Also, decorate with bright colors that draw kids’ eyes. Use cut out decorations like scenes from the Bible on a bulletin board or taped to the walls. Have Bible puzzles and coloring materials on tables waiting for kids who are early.

7. Use music. Play music softly in the background during the welcome portion of your Sunday School class. This sends a signal that class is about to begin.

8. Stick to the curriculum. Some Sunday Schools teach the same subject to all grades at the same time. Don’t “go rogue” if you are having difficulties. Communicate with your Sunday School Superintendent. Let someone know if the curriculum is inappropriate.

9. Pray before the class and in the classroom. Incorporate an opening prayer and closing prayer into the lesson.

Sunday School is a wonderful way to educate children about God and His Word. Take some time to get to know the children and build relationships with each one. Kids love the teachers that love them!

Read more about Mimi at her website, Encouragement for Christians.