Working with Children

Interacting with Children:

A lesson does not end when you have presented it. To ensure the application of the lesson Bible truths into the children's daily life, you need to continue to interact with them in the following days and weeks. Don't forget to pray every day for each child and that the Holy Spirit will continue to apply the application to their lives.

You could telephone children during the week to ask how they are doing and what they have done with the Bible truths you taught them. Building positive, caring relationships with your children and their families will help them apply Bible truths in their daily life. It will also create an environment that God can use to change the lives of your children. A note or card posted to them can be a great encouragement as they love to receive post and know that you are greatly interested in them!

Talking with their parents will make it possible for them to reinforce the learning at home. Take-home work such as crafts and activities will also interest the parents in what their children are learning, and what they need to apply to their lives.

Slower or Disabled Children:

If you find certain children are unable to do or fail to complete activities, it could be that they are slow learners. Some of the characteristics that a slow learner may show are:

A short attention span and easily distracted.
Poor verbal communication skills and limited comprehension.
Poor ability to recall facts, draw conclusions and answer questions.
Very easily frustrated and so gives up easily or works carelessly.
Is generally a poor reader and uses a finger to point to words.

Assisting Slower or Disabled Children:

If possible, reduce the number of children in the class. Alternately, have a helper assist or work with the child individually. Use visual and other aids in your teaching that make use of their seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling and touching senses. In all cases, be sensitive to a child's special needs and limitations. For example during your lesson time:

Don't ask them to read out loud.
Let them assist in other ways such as holding up a picture or object.
Give them shorter and easier tasks that they can complete successfully.
Give warm and sincere praise for their efforts.
Speak clearly and distinctly and avoid using abstract terms and ideas.
Give one direction at a time to avoid confusing them.
Where they fail to understand, express the idea in different simple words.
When their attention wanders, re-capture it by saying the child's name.

Talented Children:

These children have good verbal communication skills and are highly motivated. They complete tasks faster than other children, so provide them with a variety of activities. Without challenges, they become easily bored.

Always have a number of extra Bible learning activities, puzzles or games ready for them, as they will complete more activities than other children. Give them extra task(s) that make use of their special gifts and abilities. Ask their suggestions for ways that they could use the abilities that God has given them. For example:

Researching for more information and background of the lesson.
Planning and presenting part of a lesson.
Helping slower learners finish activities and puzzles.
Writing a play for the class to present to another group.
Teaching the class a new song or poem.
Organising a care project for old-age people in the church.

God bless!

	Teacher's Helps
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Working with Children Interacting with Children: A lesson does not end when you have presented it. To ensure the application of the lesson Bible truths into the children's daily life, you need to continue to interact with them in the following days and weeks. Don't forget to pray every day for each child and that the Holy Spirit will continue to apply the application to their lives. You could telephone children during the week to ask how they are doing and what they have done with the Bible truths you taught them. Building positive, caring relationships with your children and their families will help them apply Bible truths in their daily life. It will also create an environment that God can use to change the lives of your children. A note or card posted to them can be a great encouragement as they love to receive post and know that you are greatly interested in them! Talking with their parents will make it possible for them to reinforce the learning at home. Take-home work such as crafts and activities will also interest the parents in what their children are learning, and what they need to apply to their lives. Slower or Disabled Children: If you find certain children are unable to do or fail to complete activities, it could be that they are slow learners. Some of the characteristics that a slow learner may show are: A short attention span and easily distracted. Poor verbal communication skills and limited comprehension. Poor ability to recall facts, draw conclusions and answer questions. Very easily frustrated and so gives up easily or works carelessly. Is generally a poor reader and uses a finger to point to words. Assisting Slower or Disabled Children: If possible, reduce the number of children in the class. Alternately, have a helper assist or work with the child individually. Use visual and other aids in your teaching that make use of their seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling and touching senses. In all cases, be sensitive to a child's special needs and limitations. For example during your lesson time: Don't ask them to read out loud. Let them assist in other ways such as holding up a picture or object. Give them shorter and easier tasks that they can complete successfully. Give warm and sincere praise for their efforts. Speak clearly and distinctly and avoid using abstract terms and ideas. Give one direction at a time to avoid confusing them. Where they fail to understand, express the idea in different simple words. When their attention wanders, re-capture it by saying the child's name. Talented Children: These children have good verbal communication skills and are highly motivated. They complete tasks faster than other children, so provide them with a variety of activities. Without challenges, they become easily bored. Always have a number of extra Bible learning activities, puzzles or games ready for them, as they will complete more activities than other children. Give them extra task(s) that make use of their special gifts and abilities. Ask their suggestions for ways that they could use the abilities that God has given them. For example: Researching for more information and background of the lesson. Planning and presenting part of a lesson. Helping slower learners finish activities and puzzles. Writing a play for the class to present to another group. Teaching the class a new song or poem. Organising a care project for old-age people in the church. God bless! Copyright © Sharon Children's Ministries
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Teacher's Helps