RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY: #Generationalpha

Showing posts with label #Generationalpha. Show all posts

The Rise of the Next Generation

8:16 AM Dale Hudson

The next generation is rising quickly. They are becoming known as Gen Alpha. They are kids born between 2010-2025.

They will significantly add to their ranks in the next 3-4 years.

They are on the way to reaching 2 billion members strong across the world. Every week, 2.5 million new members are born worldwide. Within four years, they will out number the Baby Boomers.

They will enjoy a longer life span than previous generations in modern times. Some of them will live to see the 22nd century.

They will stay in education longer than any previous generation and so many of them will stay at home with their parents later than even Gen Z and Millennials. This will cause challenges for parents.

Like generations before them, they have unique opportunities to change the world that waits before them. Even at a young age, they are already influencing their parents' decisions through the social media landscape, brand influences and purchasing power.

Here are some interesting observations that will help you understand more about Gen Alpha. Much of this information comes from Mark McCrindle who is a TEDx speaker, demographer and futurist. He coined the term "Gen Alpha."

They are the most technological generation ever. We watched the items below being invented. For Gen Alpha, they will never remember not having these things.

iPads
3D printers
Google glass
Telsa powerwall
biometrics
autonomous vehicles
quantum computing
aerial ride sharing
everything streaming
screens are placed before their eyes even before they get their first pacifier

Here are some things that are on their way out when it comes to Gen Alpha. They will look at these things as ancient technology.

fax machines
landline phone
cd/dvd
car key ignition
textbooks
desktop computers
credit cards
analogue watches

1 in 2 will be university grads.

Their iconic toy is the fidget spinner.

Social media is how they communicate and update. Celebrity kids like Asahd Khaled, son of the more famous music producer DJ Khaled, and Prince William’s son George already have Instagram accounts, managed by their parents.

AI is their reality.

Grew up with Covid19.

They will stay in education longer than any previous generation and so many of them will stay at home with their parents later than even Gen Z and Millennials. This will cause challenges for parents.

Many will spend some or all of their childhood in living arrangements without both of their biological parents.
They are accustomed to having immediate access to information. "On demand" is another way of saying this. They are impatient when they have to wait for something.

Old models of learning are becoming obsolete. Gen Alpha will learn at their own pace with personalized learning experiences. In primary and secondary school, alphas will move from a structured, auditory method of learning to a visual, hands-on method. They will acquire problem solving skills and experience peer-to-peer learning. Connected classrooms will be the norm. There are already schools that have shifted from the traditional forms of interacting with Gen Z to the methods more suited to the incoming alpha students, like the use of iPads rather than textbooks to create projects and share work with teachers and classmates. Students can already digitally contact their teachers with questions on their homework (this came from www.fluxtrends.com).

When it comes to religion or belief systems, it will be hard to persuade Gen Alpha. They are defiant and don't like existing structures. Personally, this doesn't bother me. We have the Holy Spirit who draws people to Christ. It will be through the power of the Holy Spirit that we see them come to Christ.

As children's ministry leaders, what a great opportunity lays before us to invest in Gen Alpha and help them maximize the calling God has and will place on their lives. To see them change the world for Christ, they will need to be shepherded well as they face their own unique opportunities and challenges.

Nursery and preschool leaders are on the front lines when it comes to Gen Alpha. Far removed from "baby sitting" or "childcare," this ministry is crucial if we are going to reach Gen Alpha. The first few years of their life are the most critical. Children learn much about life in those early years as they explore this new world they have entered. Nursery and preschool leaders have a unique opportunity to help Gen Alpha develop a strong foundation that will begin to emerge now and in the next 3-4 years of their life.

Elementary leaders also have a great opportunity to invest in Gen Alpha and continue to build on the foundation that is being built in the nursery and preschool years.

And as a leader, it's a great opportunity for you to leave a legacy within Gen Alpha. As you invest in their lives, you are sending a message to a day you will never see. Long after you and I have vacated this world, the investment you made in their lives will continue to grow and flourish.

Helping Kids Feel Safe and Secure During Crazy Times

9:16 AM Dale Hudson

So far 2020 has been a very stressful year. Pandemic. People out of work. The death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter. Stock market ups and downs. Racism struggles. Police brutality and the murder of George Floyd and others. Unemployment. Riots.

Many would say 2020 has been the most stressful year in their entire life.

When parents are going through tough times, kids pick up on it and can become stressed out as well.

Fear can come from catching a small glimpse of the news, overhearing conversations between teens or adults and seeing what their parents post and read in social media.

It is common for kids to pick up on these things and become fearful during these crazy times.

So how can we help our children feel safe and secure during all of this? Here are some steps.

Monitor how much exposure kids have to the news. While most protests and riots have been peaceful, many have not. Media is showing images of fires, looting and violence.

Children do not have the emotional security to understand what they are seeing and it can lead to fear, insecurity and sadness.

Talk with kids. It's important to talk with children about what they are seeing and hearing in an age appropriate way. Help them understand what is happening. If you don't, they will try to fill in the blanks themselves and may come to scary and frightening conclusions in their mind. They may even think someone is coming to get them.

As parents and leaders, we are called to walk through these times with our children and have the wisdom to help guide them through it. And during these crazy times, we must check our children's emotional temperature and help them adjust it as needed.

Be a safe place where kids can ask questions. Find out what they are thinking and reassure them that you will keep them safe. Let them know there is a great group of people that are working hard to keep everyone safe.

Stay positive. Use positive words. Built up others rather than tearing them down. Empower your child through your actions and displayed emotions.

Model the behavior you want to see in your children. Kids will pick up on how you are responding. Make sure you model what you want their response to be as well.

Encourage kids to be proactive. They can encourage other kids who are experiencing fear by talking with them about it. Equip them to be the leaders who can bring about the change that is so desperately needed in these days.

Welcome Generation Alpha

10:28 AM Dale Hudson

Would you join me in welcoming Generation Alpha?

The Alpha Generation involves kids that were born in 2010 or later.

2010 is the year...

iPads were launched

Instagram was created

"App" was the word of the year

The person who coined the name "Alpha" Generation title is Mark McCrindle. Mark is a social researcher in Australia.

Here are some interesting findings about this new generation.

They will have more formal education than any other generation before them.

Their parents are the Millennials. For more info. about Millennial parents, check this out.

They are the first generation to be shaped in an era of portable digital devices. Their toys have been smartphones and iPads.

Gen Alpha kids are a digital generation. Screens are placed in front of them before they can even walk. This is causing many of them to miss specific skills outside of the digital world. We must help them develop resilience and resourcefulness.

Because of technology and so many avenues to connect, the Alpha Generation is more connected and shaped by their peers. They can be connected 24/7 across many platforms.

Alpha kids around the world are influenced by many of the same movies, music and trends. They have no technology boundaries and so they contribute through blogs and online friendships.

While Gen Alpha will be amazing with technology, they will not fair as well with critical thinking skills.

Gen Alpha will switch jobs every three years. This means they will have 18 different jobs over the course of their life. Many of the jobs don't currently exist, but will come into existence as robotics, coding, social media marketing, app development and data analytics expand.

Gen Alpha is visual. They would rather watch a video about a topic instead of reading about it. Messaging must be image based. Rather than using words or phrases, use pictures.

Gen Alpha learns best through visual, multi-model and hands on methods. Successful teachers and educators will use the methods to communicate with them.

Gen Alpha will be extremely educated. 50% will obtain an university degree.

Millennial volunteers have been raised in a digital world as well, so they will be able to relate to the children.

Alpha will face some challenges related to social media such as technology addiction, cyper bullying and vial content when online.

As we learn more about this brand new generation, we must ask God for wisdom about how to reach and disciple them, so they can be lifetime followers of Jesus.

With God's help, we can walk in confidence as ministry leaders, knowing that God is with us and will give us the insight we need to lead this new generation.