Archive | Preschool

Handling “Wiggles” in Children’s Bible Classes

By Thereasa Winnett on July 28, 2017 0

Have you been frustrated while teaching your children’s Bible class because your students are so fidgety? Has a student told you he “can’t sit still” because he has ADHD? Do you have students disrupting learning for others, while their parents are saying it’s because they don’t take their medication on Sunday?

These issues are becoming more and more common in Bible classes around the country. Volunteers are often confused and frustrated. Learning can be disrupted for one or more students. What can you do to show love to your students who may be struggling, while not ignoring the needs of other students to have a controlled learning environment?

The good news is there are actually several things you can do to improve the situation. It may take a few tries to find the best solution for your particular issue, but here are the things to try which will work in most situations.

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Great Tip For Encouraging Parents to Extend Children’s Bible Class Learning at Home

By Thereasa Winnett on July 21, 2017 0

Recently, a friend shared something the children’s minister in her congregation was doing to encourage parents to continue their child’s Sunday morning Bible lessons at home. I thought it was such an awesome idea, I wanted to share it with you.

At Teach One Reach One one of the things we promote is informing parents about what happened in class each time and give them at least one idea for a way they can continue teaching at home. It’s a great way to mentor parents by giving them practical ideas of ways they can teach their kids about God at home. Our primary suggestion is to send a parent letter or email home each week. The letter/email should include the scripture references for the lesson, at least one main application point and at least one activity they can do at home in addition to reviewing the scripture and discussing the application.

My friend’s congregation took it up a notch. They realize not all families attend Bible classes. Or maybe they have found their parents don’t read emails or letters. For whatever the reason, they have decided to share the same basic information on the front of the sheet given to worshippers when they arrive. They break it down by age group and include a memory verse instead of an activity, but the theory is the same.

So whether you choose to send letters, emails and/or print it on the front of your worship sheet, give the parents of your students the tools they need to extend your lesson at home. It will improve student retention and understanding. It will make parents feel more engaged in your class. It’s a great way to encourage parents to teach their kids Bible at home. Frankly, there really is no downside! So start communicating with the parents of your students today!

One Classroom Habit Bible Class Teachers for Kids Should Avoid

By Thereasa Winnett on July 14, 2017 0

I have been in your shoes many times. You have this amazing (if you do say so yourself!), hands-on, meaningful Bible class planned for your students. Bible class is after worship. The preacher goes over by 15 minutes and three special announcements later, you have a total of twenty-five minutes for your fifty-five minute lesson plan. Or Bible class is first and your students are still dribbling in for the first thirty minutes of class.

The one commodity most Bible class teachers can’t control is the amount of time you have your students actually in class with you. Most of us are keenly aware of how valuable every second of class time is already for our many students who aren’t taught Bible at home. You may also have very young students or one or more students with special needs. You may have parents of students who expect “beautiful/perfect” crafts coming home with their kids – even when you only have a few minutes for them to complete them.

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Top Tips for Using Drama in Bible Classes for Children

By Thereasa Winnett on June 30, 2017 0

Using drama can be a great way to make the Bible come alive for students. It can help them understand parables and stories with unfamiliar cultural aspects in them. It can even make the lesson more memorable.

Not all dramas are created equal, though. Often the drama is not as effective a reaching students as it could be, because the plan missed a few key points. So what should you keep in mind as you prepare your next Bible class drama?

Here are a few of my favorite tips:

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Tips for Training Summer Interns In Children’s and Youth Ministry

By Thereasa Winnett on June 9, 2017 0

My Intern Training Tub

Summer interns are great. If your program can afford one or more summer interns, they can add a lot of energy and enthusiasm to your ministry. It’s important to remember though, that no matter how well-educated they may be, they still lack a great deal of experience. Some may even be majoring in topics having little if anything to do with education or ministry. They may have a heart to impact lives for God, energy to do anything you ask and enthusiasm that rekindles yours.

Without training though, they may not reach their godly potential to serve your ministry this summer. In extreme cases, they may even accidentally do your ministry and the young people it serves more harm than good. If your intern orientation resembles more of a tour, a long to-do list and a free lunch, you are leaving your intern, your ministry and the children it serves vulnerable.

Take the extra time this summer to develop a more formal training program. Use the first couple of days to make sure your interns are ready to take on the responsibilities you will give them. You can include planning for events as part of the process, but make sure even interns majoring in education and ministry are taught the basics by you or someone on your team. It’s really the only way you can be sure, your interns will follow the standards you have set for your ministry.

What are some of the things you may want to include in your intern training? There are probably a lot of options, but these are some we have found interns have most appreciated.

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