Children's Ministry

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Puppets can be a great teaching tool for Sunday School teachers. They encourage creativity and can help lessons "stick." 

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.

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.