Goals For Our Kids

HOW TO CRUSH KID MIN(istry):

Goals For Our Kids

It’s hard sometimes to know when you’re winning in children’s ministry, you know? Like, is anything we’re teaching actually sinking in? Are kids really growing in their faith? That’s why we decided to go ahead and define the big win for our ministry. It’s the one thing that we, as a ministry team, want to achieve. It’s the goal we want to keep in mind at all times. And it’s what motivates and guides everything we do. It goes like this . . .

PRESCHOOL & NURSERY VOLUNTEERS WIN WHEN THEY HELP KIDS FEEL SAFE AND LOVED.

If you want a preschooler to love coming to church (and you want their parents to love bringing them) then it’s so important for our volunteers to show up consistently. That’s because babies and preschoolers feel the most safe when they are connected to familiar trusted adults. There may be tears and tantrums, but there will also be giggles and high fives. In this ministry, we do so much more than just childcare—we plant seeds of God’s love and truth in the hearts of little ones.

When our volunteers help babies and preschoolers feel safe and loved, they lay a foundation where their faith can take root and grow.

Creating a Positive Class Environment - When kids don’t cooperate

HOW TO CRUSH KID MIN(istry):

Creating a Positive Class Environment - When kids don’t cooperate

It is unacceptable to physically discipline a child in your care. Never attempt to physically discipline a child, belittle a child, or administer corporal punishment. Discipline should always be done in a positive, patient and grace-filled way that focuses on helping the kids instead of enforcing punishments. When discipline is necessary to keep a safe and effective environment for everyone, here are three steps to take:

REDIRECT

1. Get on the child’s level and look them in the eye.

2. Give a verbal warning, explaining why the behavior is not acceptable. If possible, whisper to the child in order to not draw attention away from the teaching and onto the inappropriate behavior.

   1. First verbal warning such as, “That’s your first warning.” Explain what was wrong with the behavior. Older children may be asked to state the offense and the desired behavior.

   2. Second verbal warning such as, “That’s two.” Explain that was the last warning and tell what will happen next.

3. Encourage the child to participate in another way or help them find a way to connect to the activity that may get their attention and help them engage.

   1. Offer a choice. When you say, “You may play with the truck or the car. Which one do you want?” You are giving the child a choice between two appropriate toys.

   2. Walk through the problem. For example: “Ryan wants the truck. Timmy wants the truck. What can we do? Here is another truck. Which one would you like Ryan?”

REMOVE

• Third offense: If the child does not follow directions when you give them a redirection, it may be necessary to remove them from the situation or activity so they can calm down and prepare to rejoin the group.

• Place them in an area away from the other kids for no more than one minute per year of age.
  
  

REFER

• If the child is still not obeying, refer the child to your Children’s Director for assistance. If a child has been particularly disruptive or is disruptive on a regular basis please communicate to the director the details. She can work with the parents on the next steps and help the child engage in class in the future.

• Severe offense: Biting, hitting, pushing, scratching, or pulling is considered a severe offense. If a child displays any of these behaviors, he or she will be removed from the class and a parent will be notified immediately. Reach out to the Children's Director if you need assistance.

  • Notify Children's Director and she will tell the parents about the incident.

  • If the Children's Director is not available and the information needs to be relayed to the parent right away, the lead teacher may privately tell the parents what happened.

  • If physical injury occurred, please fill out an “Incident Report.”.

Creating a Positive Class Environment

HOW TO CRUSH KID MIN(istry):

Creating a Positive Class Environment

Explain the class rules each week:

Children do well when they know what is expected of them. Keep the classroom structure similar from week to week. Having a predictable routine helps kids cope with an environment and understand appropriate behavior. Make eye contact when speaking to the children.

Focus on the positive:

Children often learn by modeling behavior. Try, for example, ‘I love the way Sarah is sitting quietly with her hands in her lap. Wonderful!’ The other children will follow quickly in hopes of being praised in the same way. Praising kids rewards positive behavior and reinforces it for the entire class. Try to redirect the child if they are doing something they shouldn’t be doing.

Make things fun!

For younger classes, instead of going into things like clean up time with a negative approach, such as ‘I’m sorry, but we have to put away the toys now...’ try addressing with a positive spin. ‘Ok, kids. I have a mission for you: do you think we can have all these toys put away in two minutes?’ Or singing the Clean Up song is a fun way to begin and encourage the clean-up routine. Don’t offer too many activity choices for kids. Switch out the toys so kids do not become bored.

You should never yell at a child.

Calmly speak on their level, look them in the eye, and make sure they are listening to what you say. If appropriate, have them repeat back what you just said. Do not discipline a child from across the room; go to the child and pull them aside.

STRIVE TO BE ENCOURAGING IN SPEECH

HOW TO CRUSH KID MIN(istry):

STRIVE TO BE ENCOURAGING IN SPEECH

Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Ephesians 5:4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

We want our words to be encouraging and positive. There should be no insults, mockery, cut-downs, gossip, or slander, especially in the presence of children. Humor should reflect a walk with God.

It's so easy to get caught up in unproductive talk! No one really intends to gossip or deliberately speak poorly about another person, yet it occurs. It's essential for church leaders to remember WHAT we're saying and HOW we're saying it, especially in front of children. Children are constantly watching, and they will imitate the actions, speech patterns, tone, and attitudes of the adults in their lives.

Therefore, regardless of whether you're serving with children or not, let us speak in such a way that anyone of any age who interacts with us feels uplifted and blessed!