They are active learners. They learn best by activities, games, discussions and helping share the lesson.
Here's an example. If you are sharing a lesson about Moses leading the children of Israel through the Red Sea, instead of having kids sit passively while you tell them what happened, do this.
Get a large blue tarp. Have 4 helpers hold the tarp so it forms a walk through. Have kids line up and walk through the "Red Sea." Give a couple of other helpers a spray bottle with water and have them spray a water mist on the kids as they pass through the sea.
Then have the kids sit down and share a few key teaching points with them (no more than 5 minutes). Next move into a discussion about the crossing of the Red Sea.
Questions like...
- How do you think the Israelites felt as they walked through the walls of water? Afraid? Nervous? Excited? Happy?
- How do you think you would have felt in that situation? Why?
- Do you believe God can still deliver His children today when they face a hard situation?
- What are some problems you might face that God can deliver you from?
A big part of the re-wiring of kids' brains is because of technology. 76% of kids have access to a tablet. 94% are actively doing other things on a tablet or phone while watching TV. And the apps and games that capture their attention are usually interactive.
Here are a couple of examples.
Minecraft, a popular game with kids, has released an interactive narrative series that lets children choose how the game unfolds.
Fortnite, an interactive game, has jumped to the top of favorite console games for children 18 and under. The game combines combat with building skills. 11-year-olds are playing the game the most.
From video games to apps to the lesson you'll share this weekend, kids are best engaged through interactive learning.
The last thing you want kids to say about their experience at your church is that it was boring. If you make them sit still and be quiet, you're going to get a "boring" review. But if you plan for ways to get the kids actively involved in the lesson, you will see kids excited about coming to your ministry.
Do this. Take out the lesson you or someone else will be sharing this weekend. How much of it requires kids to sit still and be quiet while they are lectured? If it's more than 5 minutes at a time, then don't expect kids to stay engaged.
That's why I created a year's worth of lessons that are interactive and capture kids' attention the entire lesson as they are immersed in active learning experiences.
You can see samples of the lessons and media at this link. Check it out and see what hundreds of other churches have experienced. When you create interactive learning you will see kids engage.
