RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Today's kids are not the same as yesterday's kids. You were a kid in the past, but not today. Many things have changed since you were a kid.  Let's look at the latest information that helps define today's kids. 

 

The only child.  There are more "only child" children than ever before. 

Home-schooled. A record number of kids are home-schooled. This can create strong desires to connect with other children.  Hence many home-school families are looking to connect with other home-school families.

Today's children love pets.  Children who own pets is at an all-time high.  Children often see their pets as family members whom they grow up with.

Technology. Today's kids have always had technology. It's as natural as breathing air for them. Today's kids have access to unlimited information about people and any topic you can think of.  

 

The pandemic has had a big effect on this. Children couldn't play and interact with their friends at school, in their neighborhood or on the ball field.  They have been limited to shared digital experiences.  

These shared digital experiences have opened the door for kids to connect digitally with existing friends.  They also have the opportunity to make new friends that have become part of their "tribe" and "their people."  

Kids make friends through TikTok communities, YouTube videos and Google searches.  Parents have to make sure their children are in safe online environments.

 

Digital identities.  The line between reality and fantasy continues to blur.  Kids can be whoever they want to be online.  Many are now adopting this line of thought - "If they can be that online, then why can't they be that in real life?"

Be yourself.  More and more often, kids are being encouraged to express themselves and be true to "who they are."  This is out of a concern for kids' "physical and mental well-being."  This also leads to kids finding their friendship circles with other kids who think and act like this. 

Enter their world. It is vital that we, as children's ministry leaders, keep up with what today's kids like, feel and pursue. We are missionaries to kids (FYI - the greatest mission field in the world).  We must learn all we can about children so we can effectively connect with them and reach them for Christ.

This is the first time I have ever written about homeschooling.  One thing that prompted me to write this article is the current situation we find ourselves in due to COVID-19.  

As schools began closing due to the virus, it has caused millions of parents to take a closer look at homeschooling and to consider going that route. 

Dr. Andrea Dennison is an assistant professor of school psychology at Texas State University.  She has studied why some parents choose to homeschool and says the families are motivated by a desire for control over their children's education.  Rather than waiting to hear what the local school district will be doing, they take matters into their own hands.  

The percentage of homeschooled children in grades K-12th is 3.3% or 1.7 million students. 

Why do parents choose homeschooling?  Here are the top 3. 

1. Concerns about the school environment (negative influences, drugs, exposure to COVID-19 and general safety).

 One mom said, "There is absolutely no way I will be sending my child into a caldron of germs."

2. A dissatisfaction with the academics at their school.

3 A desire to provide religious instruction.  They want to keep their children protected from the influences of the wider world for as long as they can and want a curriculum that includes the Bible.

With the ravages of C0VID-19, more parents are considering the effects the virus is having on education.  This is leading to more families being interested in taking their children out of traditional schools this fall and beyond.  In fact, two-thirds of parents with kids in elementary, middle or high school were concerned about their child falling behind. 

The pandemic has also affected many homeschooling families as well.  Many have been cut off from educational trips and other local homeschooling communities that they rely upon for sports and socializing.

So how are the new home-schooling families doing during this pandemic?  In a survey of over 1,000 parents who started homeschooling due to the pandemic, it was found that their children seem to do better and were happier outside a traditional school environment.  A few of the reasons were unchecked bullying and special needs that were not supported appropriately. 

What is the makeup of families that homeschool?  In many cases, parents who are able to homeschool effectively are two parent families who can live on one income.  It is very hard for parents to work from home and homeschool.

The pandemic has definitely caused parents to be more intentional about the kind of school experience they want for their children. 

Would love to hear your thoughts.  Many of you reading this are homeschooling your children.  

Did you start homeschooling after the virus came on the scene? 

What are the positives that have come from homeschooling your kids?

What are the challenges of homeschooling your kids? 

What would you say to someone who is considering homeschooling?

If your child attends a traditional school, why did you go that route?  

What are the advantages you have found by having your child attend a traditional school?

 Leave your comments, insight and ideas in the comment section below.