Affirming Diversity
Here are some suggestions for helping you make your Sunday school a place where children experience the unbiased, unreserved love of Jesus and each other.
Let's discuss faith-shaping ministries to kids.
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Here are some suggestions for helping you make your Sunday school a place where children experience the unbiased, unreserved love of Jesus and each other.
Kids think and act so much differently than adults that relating to them can be a challenge! The links below summarize intellectual, social, and spiritual characteristics of kids at various age levels, and offer tips for helping them grow in faith.
When a story engages our imaginations, it sticks with us long after the lesson. Here are three things I keep in mind each time I tell a story with kids.
The preteens in your group can vary all the way from the boys who profess to hate the opposite sex to the sophisticated young teen whose thoughts have turned to make-up and boys. Here are a few reminders for you to consider as you prepare to teach your middle schoolers.
Being aware of the patterns of development of fourth and fifth graders can help you understand and minister to the unique persons God has placed in your care. Here are few useful reminders.
Going to school marks a tremendous change in the lives of these little ones, a change that’s felt not only in the home but in the church school as well. Here are some of the characteristics you’ll see in children in kindergarten and first grade.
Since the time we do have with Sunday School kids is so small, we need to make each minute count. We need to do two things: connect with families and connect with kids. Here’s how.
More Than Storytelling is a free workshop you can lead with your team that compares a variety of approaches to Biblical interpretation and teaching.
It's natural to have some feelings of uneasiness about working with children who have disabilities, but these fears will quickly disappear as you gain some experience. Here are some general tips.
Whether you’re a 9 year old at Sunday school or a 19 year old at college, setting the books to song is still the best way to remember them—and the song selection keeps getting better!
Here is a book I have used many times and keep returning to it when I need a new idea. Each page is packed with art ideas that can be used in working with children and teens in Sunday school.
Imagine a room full of wide-eyed kids, amazed by the stories of Scripture; activity, variety, and discovery choreographed seamlessly into a lesson that captures the imagination and inspires! Consider these ideas for keeping your kids engaged and focused right from the start.
In Sunday school, we want to create an environment where everybody belongs and everybody learns and grows together. What does that mean for kids with visual impairments? Check out these helpful ideas from Sister Barbara Cline, the Director of the Office of Faith Formation for the Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids.
Bullying. Just say the word, and most people have a story to tell. So what can you do to ensure that bullying doesn’t happen on your watch? Here are some pointers gathered from organizations that have studied the issue of bullying and its effect on kids.
I always like to spend a few minutes playing a getting-to-know-you game on the first day of Sunday school. Here are two of my favorites.
This page from the Walk With Me website includes a short summary of the many ways we learn (based on Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences).
Brain Rules by John Medina offers "12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School"—and I would add church to the list as well.
This page from the Walk With Me website includes a short summary of the many ways we learn (based on Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences).
Puppets can be a great teaching tool for Sunday School teachers. They encourage creativity and can help lessons "stick."
I recently found a fabulous pattern for making wonderful stand-up Bible story characters. I’ve listed three ideas for how you might use them but I'm sure there are many more!
Children aren’t the church of tomorrow — they’re the church of today just as much as adults are! Find ways you can help kids identify, develop, and use their gifts for the benefit of the body.
God must love immigrants — the Bible is so full of them! Here are some building blocks that will help you welcome children from immigrant families.
Looking for an impromptu, meaningful way for the children in your small group to retell the Bible story? Check out this idea from blogger Mina Munns at Flame: Creative Kids Children’s Ministry.
The kids who collaborated to write and star in this "Dear Teacher" video represent students with various learning disabilities. They wanted to share with educators how their brain works and offer simple ways teachers can help.
As one experienced teacher put it, creating a disciplined environment to ensure optimal learning requires equal parts of technique and personality.