The Environment
The Sun is Hot
1. Look for a shady spot in the location or under a tree.
2. sometimes a screened porch or covered area is available.
3. Seat the children with their backs to the sun.
The children are restless
a) keep club fun and child-centered, b) Plan for lots of participation in the club, c) frequent stand-up times, d) active review games for lesson/verse, e) pray for creative ideas to involve children.
You are unprepared for club
a) you must be spiritually and mentally prepared to do ministry work, b)Study! c) ask God to help with time management, d) use an accountability partner.
Capture the children's attention
a) give them your full attention, b) full involve yourself in every part of club, c) encourage them to participate by building relationships b/f club, d) look for ways to invest in them in other ways
High-fives, fist bumps.
There are visual distractions
1. Seat the children with their backs to the road, gate, or sidewalk.
2. Pray that God will keep the distractions away.
The Children are disobedient or disrespectful
a) use club rules, b) teach them on 1st day to lay expectations, c) be firm and consistent in enforcing rules, d) Have teaching team sit w/children who need it, e) have prayer partners pray during club hour.
You are unorganized
a) create a daily written schedule for team, b) Organize materials in order they're needed, c) Arrive early to get organized.
Importance of interacting with children
a) Jesus always interacted with the people around him, b) It shows you care, c) lets kids get to know you, d) provides ways to start conversations about Jesus, e) engaging children allows the impact to last a lifetime.
a) don't overlook shy and quiet children
b) encourage kids to join other games/activities
c)Correct children who misbehave...direct them back to current activity.
d) be sensitive toward emotional children,
There are noisy distractions
a) Speak loudly, b) Stop and wait...until it passes, c)Have leader talk to child, d) Look for less noisy spot, e) Pray for wisdom to handle distractions.
Children are not there when club starts
a) Walk around neighborhood inviting kids--stay in groups of two+, keep 2 people back at site to receive kids. b) have invitations available to give to parents and children who may walk by.
You have a poor attitude
Examine the cause. a) if it's a relationship--deal with it,
Your ministry will be hindered by unresolved problems.
How to engage every boy and girl
1-5 timely tips for terrific Teachers
A. Be consistent-do what you say
B. Don't apologize for inabilities-
C. Avoid constant verbal correction
D. Use a positive approach, "Please do this..."
E. No physical discipline
There is windy weather
1. Anchor your teaching materials with a heavier book or keep them in order in a bag so the materials don't get blown away!
2. Seat the children so they are protected from the wind.
The children differ widely in age
a) plan activities for all ages, b) ask easy and hard questions for various ages, c) with young teens: give them a job: verse listener, take attendance, be a "buddy".
You have a poor attitude, solutions
How to build relationships.
a) smile, high-fives, b) introduce yourself, c) be excited they've come/returned, d) learn their likes/dislikes, e)LEARN NAMES! f) eye contact, g) sit w/ kids throughout club, h) use snack time to engage kids.
6-10 timely tips for terrific teachers
G. Look for improvements, not perfection.
H. Make the discipline fit the offense.
I. Praise the children liberally
J. Let them have fun!
The ground is damp or there is bad weather
a) put something on the ground, b) plan ahead to accommodate for bad weather, c) if lightning, stop, move to a safe location--not under a tree!
You lose your temper
a) You must model self-control for your students.
b) memorize Isaiah 26:3 and ask God for his "perfect peace" when you're tempted to get angry.
Involve older students
a) have them hold song visuals, b) have them keep score during review game, c) make them team captains, d) have them ready memory verse.