10 Reasons Why You Should Use Visual Communication with Kids

Visual information has increased.

• 4000% in literature since 1990
• 9900% on the internet since 2007
• 142% in newspapers

Kids are visually wired.

• 50% of their brain is involved in visual processing
• 70% of all their sensory receptors are in their eyes
• they get the sense of a visual scene in 1/10th of a second

It only takes 150ms for an image to be processed and 100ms to attach a meaning to it.

Kids suffer from information overload.

• kids today receive 5x more information than kids in 1986 did
• they consume 34 gigabytes or 100,500 words outside of school each day
• they only read 28% of the words when visiting a website

Visual communication is more engaging.

• color visuals increase the willingness to read by 80%

Visual communication increases comprehension.

• text only is 70%
• text with pictures is 95%

Kids follow directions with text and visuals 323% better than directions with just text.

67% of kids are persuaded by speakers who use words and visuals vs. 50% who only use words.

Visual communication is easier to recall.

• kids remember 10% of what they hear.
• kids remember 20% of what they read.
• kids remember 80% of what they see and do.

Visual communication is fun for kids.

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12 Ways to Get Kids to Pay Attention

Ask them to repeat what you just said.

Show a short video.

Have them get up and move.

Have them make something related to the lesson.

Remove distractions.

Place kids in groups and let them talk about a question.

Let them make up the classroom rules.

Play a game.

Create an incentive or reward for listening.

Take them outside of the classroom to a different location for a change.

Let them help teach the lesson.

Have a motion or signal they repeat after you.

Usually if the kids are bored it's because the teacher is boring.  Engaged students pay attention.

What are some other things you do to help kids pay attention?  Share your ideas with us in the comment section below.

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Should You Use the Superman Movie in Your Children's Ministry?

Many of the children and families in your ministry will see the new Superman movie.

Some are saying it's a great tool to connect people to Jesus.

Even the producer, Warner Brothers, is hoping the "Man of Steel" crosses over into churches.  In fact, they are aggressively marketing the movie to pastors, having invited them to early screenings, created Father’s Day discussion guides and produced special film trailers that focus on the faith-friendly angles of the movie.

The movie studio even asked a theologian to provide sermon notes for pastors who want to preach about Superman on Sunday.   Titled “Jesus: The Original Superhero,” the notes run nine pages and ask the question, "How can the story of Superman awaken our passion for the greatest hero who ever lived and died and rose again?”

There are definite parallels between the life of Superman and Jesus.

• The movie focuses on the origins of Superman, who was sent from the planet Krypton as an infant to save his species.

• He is raised by surrogate parents who help him grapple with his special powers, even though they don’t fully understand the source of his extraordinary abilities.

• As a boy, he is shown wrestling with his superpowers, and asks his earthly dad, Jonathan Kent, “Did God do this to me?”  His father answers, “Somewhere out there you have another father and he sent you here for a reason."

• When he turns 33, Superman must willingly sacrifice himself to save the human race.

• During a fight with his archenemy, General Zod, Superman plunges down to Earth, his arms outstretched as if he were being crucified and then he rises again.

What do you think?

Are you going to use this movie to connect kids and families in your ministry to Jesus?

What are the pros and cons of using the movie in this way?  

Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

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5 Untruths About Children's Ministry

Untruth #1 - It's just about CHILDREN.
Children's Ministry is not just about children.  It's also about enlisting, equipping, and empowering adult volunteers who minister to children.  It's about being a spiritual leader and shepherd for these adults.  It's also about equipping parents to be the spiritual leader of their child.  Children's Ministry is just as much about adults as it is children.

Untruth #2 - It's just CHILDCARE.
Children's Ministry is not just providing childcare so parents can attend "big church."  It's helping lay a spiritual foundation at the most critical time in a person's life.

Untruth #3 - It's just about CHANGING diapers.
Children's Ministry is about changing lives.  It's about helping kids discover a personal relationship with Jesus.

Untruth #4 - It's just about giving kids CHEERIOS.
Children's Ministry is about giving kids spiritual food from God's Word that will help them grow in their faith. 

Untruth #5 - It's just about CHOOSING an easy place to serve. 
Children's Ministry consists of the most committed, creative, and passionate people anywhere.  They are people who are called to reach the next generation.  It's definitely not the easiest place to serve, but it is one of the most rewarding.

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4 Negative Side Effects Technology is Having on Children

Edudemic recently reported 4 negative side effects technology is having on children.

The positives and advancements technology has brought is astounding.

But Edudemic makes the point that there is always two sides to everything.  Technology has also influenced children in adverse manners.  Here's the top 4 ways overuse of technology can have a negative influence on children.

1. Elevated Exasperation
When children are constantly engaging in the internet, games or texting, it can lead to easy frustration.  They can get frustrated whenever they are asked to do something while playing games or using the internet.  For instance, when their parents ask them to take the trash out, they can get furious instantly.  This obviously affects parent-child relationships.

2. Deteriorated Patience.
Patience is a key virtue.  It is a necessity when facing the hardships of life.  According to studies, patience in children is increasingly vanishing due to the improper use of technology.  For example, children get very impatient when they surf internet and the page they want to view takes time to load.

3. Declining Writing Skills.
Due to the excessive usage of online chatting and shortcuts, the writing skills of today’s children have declined.

4. Lack of Physical Interactivity.
While technology has brought a host of new ways to interact with others, at the same time it has affected the physical interaction skills of many children.  Many don’t know how to interact with others in-person or what proper body language to use.

Yes, technology is a necessity to flourish in a day of rapid advancements.  But at the same time, we must guard children against it's negative side effects.

What do you think?  
Do you agree or disagree with these?  
What are some other negative side effects technology has on children? 

Share with us in the comment section below.

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The Best Ways to Let Kids Know They Matter

Look at them not past them.

Listen to them.

Know their name.

Ask them questions about their life.

Just show up.

Brag on them.

Remember their birthday.

Go to their sports game.

Write them a handwritten note and mail it to them.

Forgive them when they mess up.

Spend time with them.

Giggle with them.

Notice when they are absent.

Laugh at their jokes.

Be excited when you see them.

Notice when they grow.

Love them...no matter what.

What are some other ways you can let kids know they matter?  Share with us in the comment section below.

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Kid Tech...According to Apple

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