TonyKummer
offline
Here is a recent reader comment and I wanted to get your opinion here in the forums:
Hi Tony, what do i do in a situation, where some of the children are talking while you giving your lesson, or when some of them say, “o, it was abit boring, but okay”? How can I make them to come back every Sunday?
stocksohio
offlineModerator
Here's a great thread on discipline systems.
I've written about the system we use in the Kindergarten-First Grade room with some success. I think the key is having a system and sticking with it. I find that a positive system of rewards works better than a system built around consequences.
In the end, the best way to keep their attention is to make your lesson so exciting and engaging that they will want to pay attention. I am currently working through a series on my blog called Tips for Large Group Teaching that gives ideas on this very topic. I'm about 40% of the way through it now with more practical tips coming soon. I hope you find something useful.
LinPearson
offlineModerator
Stocksohio said: "In the end, the best way to keep their attention is to make your lesson so exciting and engaging that they will want to pay attention"
I couldn't agree more! If kids are bored it's because we are not teaching them in a way that grips them.
Our classes, clubs, whatever, should be so varied and interesting that the kids don't have time to think up mischief, or talk to each other.
Once we had a kid in club who started to distract the others with his comments during the Bible lesson. Before an adult in the room could intervene, almost all the clubbers turned round and faced the boy. "Be quiet", they said. "We can't hear over you, and we want to know what happens next(in the Bible story)."
Their attention had been gripped and they weren't going to let anything distract them.
I should stress that variety and interest should not mean gimmickery. It does mean plenty of preparation, prayer, allowing God to touch your creativity, passion, talking in language kids understand and one more thing...
telling the Bible story as it has never been told before - your way - drawing on your experience of kids to make it relevant to their lives and experience. Then they will be engaged.
Finally. I would encourage all forum members to read the blog posts mentioned above by stocksohio. Tips for Large Group Teaching - They are packed with practical tips and inspiration.
plumeriagirlCA
offlineMember
At our Kid Ministry, we have a reward system of Bible Bucks. Those who finish projects or worksheets get more bucks in which they can shop at the end of each quarter. They get super excited when they get to shop.
It's a hard balance to keep nowadays since we are competing with high tech gadgets like the Ipod and Nintedno DS' but as mentioned earlier, sticking to your own system is key. But rather than the teacher just teaching the lesson all the time, it may be fun to change things up and have the kids work on a team worksheet, puzzle or game. That way they learn the Word as well as learn cooperation.
TonyKummer
offline
Here is a new post that might be relevant to your problem - simple ideas to get kids attention.
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