Connect


March 2008 Welcome to Connect, the monthly e-newsletter for those who minister to children in small Sunday schools, midweek programs, and new church plants. *To invite your ministry staff members and volunteers to receive Connect,* click here. Walkin’ on the Wild Side Ahh, the month of March—the lamb and the lion. Some days are balmy and bright, others cause you to batten down the hatches. Although looking at changes in temperature can help us anticipate wind behavior, predicting kid behavior is definitely not an exact science. Like March winds, when you’re working with kids things can get a little wild sometimes! Read on for practical ideas to get you through a session when your group seems to be “walkin’ on the wild side.” Provide a non-routine routine. Give kids what they expect, then add something unexpected. Kids love the security of knowing what to expect when they arrive. Here’s what they should be able to expect each week when they enter the large group area: a friendly welcome, some singing, a prayer, a fun large group activity, a great story. When they arrive at small group they should expect to find a warm welcome, a time to talk/share, an interesting activity that links to the great story they heard in large group. The routine helps them know what to expect; the content (that’s the unexpected part) is what keeps them on their toes and coming back for more. Direct their attention. Ever feel like kids are looking over your shoulder when you’re leading large group? If you’re standing in front of a window, an open door, or a decorated wall, maybe they are! Always place yourself where there are as few background distractions as possible. Help kids focus during small group by sitting in the corner and gathering kids around you in a semi-circle. (And be sure to sit in the corner that gives you—not them—the best view of the door or window!) If you teach in a rented facility that has all sorts of eye-candy (for example, a movie theatre with popcorn and pinball machines, or a high school science classroom) invest in some big tablecloths to drape over anything that’s more interesting than you! Name drop. Got a kid who can’t resist poking his buddies or one who wants to roll on the floor instead of sit down during large group? Drop his name in the least distracting way possible as you’re leading. Something like this usually works for me, “The next song we’re going to sing (Brian, up please) is all about…” For repeat offenders you probably just have to insert their name and they’ll know exactly what you’re talking about. Same goes for small group. Engage the disengaged by simply dropping their name as you’re talking, or put a gentle hand on their shoulder as a reminder to focus. Maintain eye contact. Of course, it’s hard for kids to focus if no one is focused on them! Your job is to arrive prepared. If you’re a large group leader, that means practicing your large group stories aloud so you can tell not read them. If you’re a small group leader that means reading through your small group session plan so you can carry on a conversation without constantly consulting the guide. *Tip:* Your leader’s guide is not a library book—grab a pen and personalize it with notes to yourself about what you want to say! Stand up and stretch. Some days it doesn’t matter how riveting the lesson is or how well-prepared you are, because kids arrive more charged up than the Energizer Bunny. Here are a few ways you can let kids bounce without going out of bounds. If you’re leading large group, get kids up and moving to a high-energy song like ‘”Pharaoh, Pharaoh” or “Davey, Davey.” Then follow that with a quieter song and prayer to help refocus their attention. If you’re leading a small group, simply insert a short game of “Simon Says” into your session. Start with some movement commands like “Simon Says jump five times” or “Simon Says stretch” before shifting to “Simon Says stand very, very still.” (Always end in a way that calms kids back down!) *Tip:* If you know your group likes to move, look for activities with the Body Smart icon when planning your lesson. Connect with parents or caregivers. I noticed that nine-year-old Nathan really struggled to sit still in small group. His mom told me Nathan’s teacher solved the problem by allowing Nathan to work while standing up beside the table or while crouching down and using his chair as a table. We let Nathan do the same thing in small group and our problems were solved! He was actually less of a distraction to other kids (and himself) when he felt like he had permission to move around. Talk to parents/caregivers and find out what you can do to help make coming to your kid’s ministry program a great experience for their kids. Tip: Having parents fill in an “All About Me” form each year is a great non-threatening way to get a dialogue started while showing parents you care about what makes their child tick. Include on the form questions about their child’s allergies, likes, dislikes, and any other helpful information they’d like you to know. Recommended Resources Two new WWM summer units will make your summer sizzle! Each offers five easy-prep sessions that help kids grow in their faith while they’re having fun! Use them for a week of VBS or for five weeks of Sunday school. Best of all, everything you need is in ONE book. Click here for more information or to view sample chapters. Here are summaries of each new book: Living in the Light: Jesus, the Light of the World, has come! The stories of John the Baptist, Bartimaeus, Zacchaeus, Mary Magdalene, and Paul show how living in the Light turns our lives around and helps us be lights for others too. *Creation Celebration:* Celebrate our wonderful world and the big God who made it! This book takes a look at the paradise God made, the people he created to take care of it, and the forgiveness and salvation God offered even after things went wrong.
This is not spam. You are subscribed to Connect as %%emailaddr%%. To unsubscribe, send a blank email to %%email.unsub%% or click here to edit your member profile. If you have questions or comments about this list, e-mail us or call 1-800-333-8300.

March 2008

Welcome to Connect, the monthly e-newsletter for those who minister to children in small Sunday schools, midweek programs, and new church plants. To invite your ministry staff members and volunteers to receive Connect, click here.

Walkin’ on the Wild Side

Ahh, the month of March—the lamb and the lion. Some days are balmy and bright, others cause you to batten down the hatches. Although looking at changes in temperature can help us anticipate wind behavior, predicting kid behavior is definitely not an exact science. Like March winds, when you’re working with kids things can get a little wild sometimes! Read on for practical ideas to get you through a session when your group seems to be “walkin’ on the wild side.”

Provide a non-routine routine. Give kids what they expect, then add something unexpected. Kids love the security of knowing what to expect when they arrive. Here’s what they should be able to expect each week when they enter the large group area: a friendly welcome, some singing, a prayer, a fun large group activity, a great story. When they arrive at small group they should expect to find a warm welcome, a time to talk/share, an interesting activity that links to the great story they heard in large group. The routine helps them know what to expect; the content (that’s the unexpected part) is what keeps them on their toes and coming back for more.

Direct their attention. Ever feel like kids are looking over your shoulder when you’re leading large group? If you’re standing in front of a window, an open door, or a decorated wall, maybe they are! Always place yourself where there are as few background distractions as possible. Help kids focus during small group by sitting in the corner and gathering kids around you in a semi-circle. (And be sure to sit in the corner that gives you—not them—the best view of the door or window!) If you teach in a rented facility that has all sorts of eye-candy (for example, a movie theatre with popcorn and pinball machines, or a high school science classroom) invest in some big tablecloths to drape over anything that’s more interesting than you!

Name drop. Got a kid who can’t resist poking his buddies or one who wants to roll on the floor instead of sit down during large group? Drop his name in the least distracting way possible as you’re leading. Something like this usually works for me, “The next song we’re going to sing (Brian, up please) is all about…” For repeat offenders you probably just have to insert their name and they’ll know exactly what you’re talking about. Same goes for small group. Engage the disengaged by simply dropping their name as you’re talking, or put a gentle hand on their shoulder as a reminder to focus.

Maintain eye contact. Of course, it’s hard for kids to focus if no one is focused on them! Your job is to arrive prepared. If you’re a large group leader, that means practicing your large group stories aloud so you can tell not read them. If you’re a small group leader that means reading through your small group session plan so you can carry on a conversation without constantly consulting the guide. Tip: Your leader’s guide is not a library book—grab a pen and personalize it with notes to yourself about what you want to say!

Stand up and stretch. Some days it doesn’t matter how riveting the lesson is or how well-prepared you are, because kids arrive more charged up than the Energizer Bunny. Here are a few ways you can let kids bounce without going out of bounds. If you’re leading large group, get kids up and moving to a high-energy song like ‘”Pharaoh, Pharaoh” or “Davey, Davey.” Then follow that with a quieter song and prayer to help refocus their attention. If you’re leading a small group, simply insert a short game of “Simon Says” into your session. Start with some movement commands like “Simon Says jump five times” or “Simon Says stretch” before shifting to “Simon Says stand very, very still.” (Always end in a way that calms kids back down!) Tip: If you know your group likes to move, look for activities with the Body Smart icon when planning your lesson.

Connect with parents or caregivers. I noticed that nine-year-old Nathan really struggled to sit still in small group. His mom told me Nathan’s teacher solved the problem by allowing Nathan to work while standing up beside the table or while crouching down and using his chair as a table. We let Nathan do the same thing in small group and our problems were solved! He was actually less of a distraction to other kids (and himself) when he felt like he had permission to move around. Talk to parents/caregivers and find out what you can do to help make coming to your kid’s ministry program a great experience for their kids. Tip: Having parents fill in an “All About Me” form each year is a great non-threatening way to get a dialogue started while showing parents you care about what makes their child tick. Include on the form questions about their child’s allergies, likes, dislikes, and any other helpful information they’d like you to know.

Recommended Resources

Two new WWM summer units will make your summer sizzle! Each offers five easy-prep sessions that help kids grow in their faith while they’re having fun! Use them for a week of VBS or for five weeks of Sunday school. Best of all, everything you need is in ONE book.

Click here for more information or to view sample chapters.

Here are summaries of each new book:

Living in the Light: Jesus, the Light of the World, has come! The stories of John the Baptist, Bartimaeus, Zacchaeus, Mary Magdalene, and Paul show how living in the Light turns our lives around and helps us be lights for others too.

Creation Celebration: Celebrate our wonderful world and the big God who made it! This book takes a look at the paradise God made, the people he created to take care of it, and the forgiveness and salvation God offered even after things went wrong.

This is not spam. You are subscribed to Connect as %%emailaddr%%. To unsubscribe, send a blank email to %%email.unsub%% or click here to edit your member profile.

If you have questions or comments about this list, e-mail us or call 1-800-333-8300.