RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Do you want to see preschoolers really engage with your lesson?  See them excited to come to church to learn more from God's Word?

Here is some fresh insight to help you create lessons that preschoolers love.

Give preschoolers opportunities to make choices during your lesson.  Preschoolers crave control.  They want to be in charge.  But they don't have many opportunities to do so.  They are told when to get up, when to go to bed, what to wear, when to go to preschool, what to eat, etc.  When the opportunity to be in charge and make their own choices comes along, they are drawn to it.  There's something about being able to make choices that draws preschoolers in.

Here are a few examples of how you can do this:

• Offer them several options and let them choose which craft they want to do.
• Let them choose which song they want to sing. 
• Let them choose between several Bible story options which they would like to learn about the next month. 
• Let them name a new puppet or character you are introducing.

Surprise them.  Preschoolers love surprises.  One of the hottest trends among preschoolers right now is YouTube videos where adults open surprise eggs or peel away layers of slime or Play-Doh to reveal a hidden toy.  Preschoolers like things that are enclosed and then unwrapped.  An example of this is a video by Toys Unlimited.  It already has over 25 million views. 

Here are a few examples of how you can do this:

• Announce a surprise guest Bible character coming the next week. 
• Hide your object lesson item in a box and then have a big reveal. 
• Cover a figurine that ties into the lesson with Play-Doh and then peel it away to reveal it. 
• Tell them everyone will get a surprise gift the next week.

Break your lesson into small segments that honors their attention span.  Sesame Street is a great example of this.  It provides preschoolers with short segments within the longer program.  YouTube also models this as it provides preschoolers with short videos to watch.  As soon as one video is over, others pop up that the child can choose from.  You could compare it to channel surfing.

Here are a few examples of how you can do this:

• Divide your class time into short segments.  Rather than looking at your class as 60 minutes, look at it as 12 five-minute segments. 
• Play close attention to when kids show signs of disengagement during class and tweak those parts to make them more engaging. 

Make your lesson interactive.  Researchers have found that incorporating some sort of interactivity helps children retain information better.  One big reason preschoolers love certain apps is because it gives them the opportunity to interact with the story or game.  Even if it's as simple as pushing the space bar, interactivity captures the attention of kids.  And retention and learning goes up when kids are given the opportunity to interact versus just sitting and listening. 

Here are a few examples of how you can do this:

• Give each child a page with pictures of people and objects that are in the lesson.  As you tell the story, have them touch the corresponding pictures. 
• Give kids lots of opportunities to talk and answer back to you (p.s. if you don't, they will do it anyways - they are wired that way).
• Tell the kids to shout out a sound when they hear you say a certain word.
• Have the kids make sound effects as you tell the story.

Use repetition.  If you haven't noticed, preschoolers like to watch the same video over and over.  Often this due to comprehension.  They will watch again so they can better understand the story and characters.  Repetition is one of the glues of learning and engagement.  

Here are a few examples of how you can do this:

• Rather than having a different truth you teach each week, spend a month on one truth. 
• Use repetition to help kids learn key Bible verses. 
• Don't hesitate to use the same Bible story again. 

The preschool years are some of the most critical of a person's life.  It lays the foundation for a person's world view and beliefs about God and His Word.  We must create lessons that will engage kids and capture their hearts for God.

Your turn.  The floor is yours.  What are some more ways to create lessons that preschoolers will love?  Share your ideas and insight with everyone in the comment section below.

Do you have volunteers who are just going through the motions?  Have they lost their passion?  Have they grown "weary in well-doing" as the Bible describes in Galatians 6:9?

It doesn't have to be that way.  If you do this one big thing, you can see your volunteers stay fired up and passionate about the ministry. 

Here's the big key.  Keep taking them back to the "WHY."  If I may, let me share some observations about this.

Observation #1 - If you don't focus on the why, the what will take over because it is the most obvious.  The why is not as immediately visible as the what.  Let me give you an example.  For someone who volunteers in the nursery, changing diapers (the what) is a lot more tangible than the why (seeing lives changed).  For someone who teaches 3rd graders, the what (telling a Bible story) is a lot more tangible than the why (seeing the kids grow up to love Jesus).  The natural tendency is for the what to overshadow the why.  

Observation #2 - If you don't keep taking people back to the why, it will be forgotten.  Volunteers won't forget the what.  They do the what week in and week out.  They greet, they hand out crafts, they lead songs, they hold babies, they lead a small group, they pray with kids, they teach preschoolers and all the other what's of ministry.  But the why...if you don't take people back to it, can be forgotten over time.  People will forget why they are doing the what's listed above.

Observation #3 - If you will keep your volunteers focused on the why, they will remain faithful in the what.  When volunteers only see the what, they get burned out.  When volunteers only see the what, they lose their passion.  When volunteers only see the what, they get discouraged.  But when volunteers see the why, they will stay faithful in the what.

Observation #4 - You have to be intentional about keeping your volunteers focused on the why.  The why doesn't promote itself, you have to be the promoter.  The why won't tell its own stories, you have to be the storyteller.  The why won't celebrate itself, you have to do that.

When a child steps across the line of faith, let your volunteers know...that's the why.  When a young couple's marriage is healed because the volunteers helped watch their baby while they were in a marriage class, let your volunteers know...that's the why.  When new families walk in your church doors, let your volunteers know, that's the why.  When a child is baptized, let your volunteers know, that's the why.  When kids live out their faith, let your volunteers know, that's the why.  When a family is reached for Christ, let your volunteers know, that's the why. 

Observation #5 - The why is what fuels people's passion.  Volunteers long to be part of something bigger than themselves.  Volunteers want to know they are making a difference.  Volunteers yearn to be used by God.  When you show them how it's happening and they feel the joy and satisfaction that comes from it, they will stay fired up.

Volunteers won't stay passionate about changing a diaper, but they will stay passionate about being part of changing a life through serving in the nursery.  Volunteers won't stay passionate about corralling a group of energetic 3rd grade boys, but they will stay passionate about laying a foundation for kids to build their life upon.  Volunteers won't stay passionate about doing crafts with preschoolers, but they will stay passionate about ministering to children at the most critical time of their life.

The what...is the car.  The why is the fuel that will keep it going.  Make sure you keep your volunteers' tanks full! 

As a children's ministry director, there are some questions you should NOT ask your Pastor or the person you report to.  Here are 20 of them.

1. What's a background check?

2. During your sermon today, can you tell people they're going to hell if they don't volunteer in children's ministry?

3. Can I take off Easter weekend?

4. Do you mind if we use a video clip from Mad Max in children's ministry this weekend?

5. Can I borrow your new car for a Costco run?

6. What do you think about me doing a series on Revelation for the preschoolers?

7. Do you mind if we start using Goldfish crackers for communion bread?

8. Can your wife volunteer in the nursery this Sunday since I can't find anyone else?

9. Can I take all my volunteers to Ruth's Chris steakhouse for an appreciation dinner and charge it to the women's ministry budget?

10. Can we add motions to the worship songs in the adult service?

11. Can you cut the worship ministry budget in half and give it to children's ministry?

12. Can you stop going 5 minutes over on your sermon so the kids don't get restless?

13. Can you please call my volunteers and tell them to be on time?

14. Can next week's offering go to sending me to Hawaii on vacation during VBS?

15. What do you think about you and I switching places next week?  I'll teach the adults and you teach the kids?

16.  Can we start using $50 bills for quiet seat prizes?

17.  Can we have a "bring your pet to church" Sunday?

18.  Did you know I don't like kids?

19.  Can we save some money by not changing the babies' diapers in the nursery?

20.  Do you want us to follow up with guest families?

On a more serious note, you can earn the respect of your pastor by leading up well, asking the right questions and providing solutions to the challenges you face.  In this post, I share 10 big children's ministry questions and how to answer them.

Have a great week and lead well. 

There are some things you don't understand about children's ministry until you're in it.  Here's a few.  Enjoy!

1. You should have bought stock in Oriental Trading.

2. You should be prepared to pray for healing for dogs, cats and goldfish.

3. A room full of preschoolers can strike terror in the heart of the bravest adult. 

4. There will always be one parent who is 45 minutes late to pick up their child.

5. You should get on the good side of the church janitor.  Trust me.  You're going to need it.

6. A toddler can cry at a decibel level that can shatter windows.

7. Vomit comes in lots of different colors and usually happens at the worst possible time.

8. Object lessons and games that are not tested ahead of time will result in an epic fail during the service.

9. Kids will sometimes reveal embarrassing family details during prayer request time.

10. The true pronunciation of baptized is bab-ba-ba-ti-zed.

11. Preteen overnight events will shorten your life by 5 years.

12. 3rd grade boys never, never, never run out of energy.

13. If it's not made of concrete, kids will break it.

14. Kids who have already attended a service will ruin the review game in the next service by shouting out the answers.

15. The standard response to any review question when a child can't remember the answer is "Jesus."

16. When one child has to go the bathroom, ten children have to go to the bathroom.

17. When you plan an event for 20...200 will show up.  When you plan an event for 200...20 will show up.

18. Electronic check-in systems wait until the busiest times to go down.

19. No matter how cool you design them, you will find some take home papers on the ground after church.

20. If you don't have a program ready for the kids, they will create one for you...and it will not be pretty.

Your turn.  Share some other funny parts of children's ministry in the comment section below.  

Recent studies show that preschoolers are inundated with mobile devices.  75% of kids under the age of 5 use mobile devices such as tablets.  This is a 46% increase since 2012.

What are preschoolers consuming on these devices?  Video content.  They are naturally drawn to video content and that's what's driving their usage.

3 of the top-grossing iPhone apps for kids under the age of 5 are video players.  Here's the list.

Top 5 grossing iPhone apps for kids ages five and under:
ABC Mouse.com
PlayKids
Noggin
BabyFirst Videos
Sago Mini Babies

George Barna says, "In the race to a child's heart, the first one there wins."

If the church is going to win this race, then we must develop mobile video content that can capture the attention of preschoolers and plant God's Word in their hearts.

Do you know of apps that are currently available to teach preschoolers God's Word?  Share them with us in the comment section below.  

Ever find yourself standing outside the room...trying to convince a child to let go of mom and come inside?

Ever find yourself trying to help a new child who is standing shyly in the corner get acclimated to the environment?

Ever find yourself trying to console a child who is crying for his or or her parents?

Trying to help kids overcome separation anxiety is a challenge we all face.

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, 1 out of every 8 kids deal with social anxiety.  Some of the ways it is manifested is when children refuse to talk, when children refuse to detach from their parents or when children respond to social situations by throwing a temper tantrum.

So how can you help kids overcome social anxiety?

Make it a concerted joint effort with parents.  It is crucial to involve the parents.  As stated many times, the anxiety will be manifested when the parents are present.  Work with the parents to help the child detach.  One way to do this is to try a gradual detachment.  Invite the parent to stay in the classroom until the child's anxiety diminishes.

I believe preschool ministry must be a top priority in the local church.  Here's 3 reasons why.

#1 - The early years lay a foundation for your entire life.

A recent study shows that a person's career success can be predicted as early as kindergarten.  A group of children were tracked from kindergarten through age 25.  The children who did well when they were kindergartners were far more likely to earn a college degree and have a full-time job by 25.

Those who assessed poorly in kindergarten had a much higher chance of getting arrested, binge drinking and not doing well financially as an adult.

The results confirmed once again that helping kids develop life skills in early childhood is critical for their future.  From an early age, this can determine if the child goes to prison or college and whether they end up employed or addicted.

We must lay the foundation of God and His Word in the hearts of children in their early years.

#2 - It prepares children to step across the line of faith when they get older.  We know that 85% of people who come to faith in Christ do so before the age of 18.  As we teach preschoolers that God loves them and Jesus wants to be their best friend, we plant the early seeds that will grow into saving faith when they are older.

#3 - Parents can be equipped to lead their children spiritually at the most critical time.  Since the above is true, equipping the primary leader of preschoolers must be a top priority as well.  If we can help preschool parents establish their spiritual role, it will make a lifetime difference for the child.

Is preschool ministry a priority at your church?  If we're going to reach the next generation, that's where it will begin.

Last year, I shared in this post that preschoolers are leading the way in using touchscreen mobile devices.  38% of kids two and younger have used mobile devices, 47% of three to five-year-olds can navigate a smartphone and 57% can operate an app.

Nick Jr. recently released a new iPad app for preschoolers that's a huge hit.  It's a free app that has video episodes, learning activities, crafts and funny surprises.  You can get more info. about the app here. 

We are ministering to kids who are digital natives.  Who will lead the way in creating apps and content that will teach them God's Word?

Are there any apps out there that teach preschoolers God's Word?  If you are aware of any, share them with us in the comment section below.

Do you want your volunteers to stay with you long-term?  Here's the #1 reason volunteers go the distance on a team.

RELATIONSHIPS

Your volunteers will stay because they have built meaningful relationships with the people they serve with.  Relationships is the glue that will keep them on your team. 

How does this happen?

Place them with people who have the same passion as they do.
People build relationships with other people who have the same interests and passions as they do.  Make sure you place volunteers in their sweet spot.   When volunteers are in their sweet spot together, they will naturally begin to bond.

Tech guys will bond around their love for computers.  People who love babies will bond around babies.  People who love to lead kids in worship will bond around that.  People who love to lead small groups of kids will enjoy serving with other people who love to do the same.  Here's some of our volunteers who love serving preschoolers together.











Pray together every week. 
Take time to get volunteers together for prayer every week before they serve together.  Let them share prayer requests and pray for each other.  When a group of people pray together, their relationship is strengthened not only with God, but with each other as well.  I took this picture before a service.  It's a group of our volunteers who serve in pre-teens praying together.











Party with them outside of serving. 
Last weekend we had a Friday night party with some of our volunteers.  No agenda but fun.  Volunteers spent several hours hanging out together.  It's these types of events that can foster relationships that will last long-term which translates into volunteers staying long term.

Purposely create a family atmosphere. 
Be very intentional about creating a "family" atmosphere.  When volunteers feel they are part of a family that knows them, loves them and cares for them, they will stay.

Serving is about more than just teaching a class or changing a diaper or greeting a family or preparing a craft.  It's about doing life together.  It's about going through the good times and the bad times together.  It's about supporting one another.  It's about helping each other grow closer to Jesus.

Show me a group of volunteers that have been serving together long-term and I will show you a group of volunteers that have built solid relationships.

Your turn.  What are some things you do to foster relationships between your volunteers?  Share with us in the comment section below.

Who's leading the way in a new generation of kids who use touchscreen more often than a keyboard?

The kids in your early childhood rooms!  The use of touchscreen apps for kids under five is accelerating.  

A recent study shows that 38% of kids two and younger have used mobile devices, up from 10% two years ago.  47% of three to five-year-olds are able to navigate a smartphone and 57% can operate at least one app.

Ownership of tablets among families with preschoolers has increased from 8% to 40% in two years.  The amount of time preschoolers spend with touchscreen tablets has tripled during this same time frame.  The average infant or preschooler spends 15 minutes a day with a touchscreen device.  Infants and toddlers spend twice as much time with tablets as with books.

As the prevalence of tablets and smartphones increases with kids under five, more kids entertainment companies – including Nickelodeon and Disney - are expanding in the mobile preschool space.  Here are the top 5 apps that are connecting with Generation touchscreen.

1. Disney Story Central – Disney
2. PlayKids – Movile
3. Endless Numbers – Originator
4. Little People Player – Fisher-Price
5. Disney Junior Appisodes – Disney

The preschoolers you are ministering to truly are digital natives.  Are you prepared to connect with them? 

Should crying babies and restless preschoolers be in adult worship?  Yes or no?

I have experienced both extremes.

I was once in a service where babies and preschoolers were allowed free reign.  They roamed the aisles throughout worship.

In fact, at one comical point there was a lady singing a "special" on stage.  Her preschooler started running back and forth on stage in front of her.  Right in the middle of her song, she reached over, grabbed him up, and kept singing.  She finished out the song while holding her squirming son in her arms.

Other extreme.  I have visited churches that didn't allow any children in the adult service and it was strictly enforced.  Ushers would stop parents at the door who tried to bring their children into the service.

So what's the best policy for a church to take regarding this?  That's something each church must decide for itself.

Here's our guideline and the thought process behind it.

We encourage families to place their child in our children's worship environments.  We believe children grow in their faith best when they participate in age-appropriate, engaging worship.

This is not to devalue family worship, but we weighed the two and came to this conclusion.  If you want to dive deeper into this, go to this post.

We don't dictate to families that they can't bring their child into the adult service.  We do let families who are entering the adult service with their child know that we have age-appropriate worship available.

If a child becomes disruptive in the adult service, our ushers kindly and discreetly ask the parents to take the child to our parent room where they can watch the service.  The parent room has a tv with a live feed from the service and toys for their child.

We have found this brings a good balance to help families with young children.

What are your thoughts?

What guidelines does your church follow?

What philosophy drives your guidelines? 

It's time for another resource giveaway.  We're giving away a copy of the book 100 Best Ideas to Turbocharge Your Preschool Ministry.  Here's the scoop on this resource...

You'll find the latest strategies developed by some of the most successful preschool ministers in the world.  They’ve been developed, tested, and proven in real churches, and now their secrets are yours.  Whether you’re a newcomer or a veteran, you’ll discover...

-who preschoolers really are

-ready-to-use activities kids can’t resist

-practical ideas for creating a preschool friendly environment

-instant help for recruiting and training volunteers

-ministry-tested tips for working with parents

-best of all, not only will you turbocharge your ministry, you'll energize preschoolers to love Jesus

You can enter the giveaway by emailing us at dalehudsoncm2@gmail.com.  We'll announce the winner next Monday, May 6.  

• Who preschoolers really are
• Ready-to-use activities kids can’t resist
• Practical ideas for creating a preschool-friendly environment
• Instant help for recruiting and training volunteers
• Ministry-tested tips for working with parents

Best of all, not only will you turbocharge your ministry, you'll energize preschoolers to love Jesus.

You can order your copy at this link.