Teaching 2- and 3-year-olds can be challenging. They're so cute...but it's hard work! We've put some teaching tips together for you to help you understand these little guys better and make teaching them easier. Plus there are some craft/game ideas you can try. There are even more ideas on our website.
Why? Why? Why?
To stop an unending series of "whys", give the child a clear explanation, then ask her to repeat it back to you. Explain to her that you want to make sure she understands it. This works best with three-year-olds.
Egg Heads
Use plastic Easter eggs to make play people for your children. Pull the eggs apart and glue pebbles into the bottom half of the egg. (If you want your play people to make a rattle noise, use pebbles without any glue.) Glue the two halves of the egg together and decorate the egg with drawn-on eyes, nose, mouth, and hair using a non-toxic, permanent pen.
Edible Play Dough
Combine 1 cup peanut butter, 1 cup honey, and 1 1/2 cups dry powdered milk in a large bowl. Mix together well. Place the dough in a covered container and store it in the refrigerator. Cover a table with a clean plastic tablecloth and make sure the children wash their hands before playing with the dough. This mixture can also be used for no-bake cookies. Let the children decorate, then eat their own cookies.
Transform your crafts into learning activities
Crafts are for adults. Learning activities are for children. By turning your crafts into learning experiences, you give the children worthwhile lessons that will be with them long after the craft is gone. Here's how: Focus on what the children can learn rather than on what they can make. Do this (1) by allowing the children to make their own creations even if they vary from the suggested pattern; (2) by describing to the children the sensations they are feeling as they experience their creations; and (3) by pointing out acts of kindness and relating them to what the Bible says about being kind (for example, you might say, "Taking turns is one good way to be kind.").
"Me. Mine."
Twos and threes do not understand sharing. This is evident in the frequent use of the words "me" and "mine." This is not all bad. It is a necessary stage before sharing can take place. Before a child can learn to share something, he must learn to possess it. Sharing is voluntarily giving up what we possess.
"My best friend is a stuffed animal!"
Twos and threes are likely to see their toys as persons and their peers as things. They see other children as nothing more than another toy to play with. It is important that we teach each child that he or she is special. And it's just as important that we teach them other children are special, too.
Make your own picture books
Here are two easy-to-make picture books:
(1) Use a photo album with magnetic pages and insert pictures to show the children.
(2) Use reclosable plastic bags to make a flip picture-book. Sew four or five bags together at the bottom, using a zigzag machine stitch. Cut colored poster board to fit the bags to give the plastic bag book stability. Insert appropriate pictures. Another way to bind the books is to punch holes along the reclosable edge of the bag. Then use yarn or shoestrings to fasten the bags together like a book. Besides pictures, you can also display various objects, like colored leaves or feathers, in the bags.
Now that's a story
Find ways for young listeners to participate in the storytelling. Create a phrase that can be repeated many times when you give a hand signal. For example, you might say, "Jesus said" (extend your arm, then move it toward you), "follow me." The children will say "Follow me" each time you do that motion. This works best when a co-worker can prompt the children.
Pro-Noun, Anti-Pronoun
When you speak to toddlers, be specific. Emphasize nouns, not pronouns. Instead of saying, Scotty, put them over there, say, Scotty, put the books on the bookshelf.
Tour guide for life
Toddlers are their own best teachers. Don't think of yourself as a teacher; think of yourself as life's tour guide. Your task is to plan the itinerary, show toddlers to the place of learning, and then let them explore and discover. Talk to them like a tour guide. For example, while they are finger painting, talk about the colors and texture of the paint. Describe what you and the children are experiencing. By linking language with sight, sound, and activities you will teach the children important pre-reading skills.
Diaper discourse
Some twos are still in diapers. Don't waste diaper changing time --- it's an excellent opportunity for one-on-one teaching. Play these simple learning games while changing a child's diaper: Using the child's name, say, God made Aaron's legs! (Touch his legs.) Say, God made Aaron's arms! (Touch his arms.) Say, God loves Aaron! (Hug him.) Sing nursery rhymes or short songs together or recite simple, rhythmic poems. Choose three or four vocabulary words a week and put numerous pictures of these on the wall next to your changing area. Occupying the child with interesting things to look at and do will make the process go more smoothly. Lots of times toddlers fight and squirm out of boredom. Don't' neglect the opportunity for a special hug at this time.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
How to have a preschool-friendly VBS
Setting up VBS for Preschoolers
If your VBS begins with elementary children and preschoolers together for a time of opening music, be prepared to have one or two helpers take younger children to your preschool classroom for free play if the large group setting becomes overwhelming.
Use similar VBS-themed decorations for your preschool rooms as you use for your elementary VBS. Just make sure to use decorations without small parts that your little ones can swallow. A good test is to use only those items that are too large to fit inside a cardboard paper towel tube.
Place an attendance chart in your preschool area(s). Give each child a sticker as he enters and help him place it in the appropriate square on the chart. (Some children may prefer not to do this, which is fine. A helper can add stickers for them instead.) You can purchase themed VBS stickers as well as Bible stickers, cross stickers, glitter stickers, and colorful attendance and memory verse charts from EChurchDepot.com.
Free Play for Preschoolers
Provide the following toys and supplies for your preschool free play area(s). Ask church members and preschool leaders for donations. Make sure they label their items if they want them to be returned after VBS. Conclude your free-play time with a bathroom break.
• Blocks: Wooden, plastic, or cardboard blocks in different sizes, shapes, and colors; toy people and animals; toy vehicles; manipulative building toys; but nothing with sharp edges or small parts.
• Art: Crayons, washable markers, and chalk; white paper and construction paper; poster paper taped along a wall and over tables for murals; paper shapes for coloring and decorating; stickers; tape for hanging artwork from walls and ceiling.
• Disguises: Costumes, shoes, masks, scarves, capes, plastic sunglasses, purses and bags, and dress-up clothes for boys and girls.
• Dramatic Play: Dolls, doll clothes, plastic cell phones, toy cameras, stuffed animals, small chairs or large
pillows, doll beds, dishes, toy food, doll strollers, plastic shopping carts.
• Books: Various picture books showing items familiar to young children such as nature, farm animals, pets,
friends, family, church, preschool, etc. Include several VBS theme-related picture books, if available.
• Puzzles: Colorful cardboard and wooden framed puzzles with 25 pieces or less, some with knobs.
Egypt VBS Just for Preschoolers
Use the new Joseph in Egypt Preschool VBS from Christian Ed Warehouse this summer to supplement your elementary VBS program from Group, Egypt: Joseph's Journey. Written especially for 2- to 5-year-olds, this five-day preschool VBS program includes Bible stories, snacks, crafts, and games with reproducible student sheets and colorful visuals on CD-ROM. You can view samples and take a look at the contents and course overview for the Joseph in Egypt Preschool VBS. Order the spiral-bound book with CD or, if you need it tomorrow, order the download version.
Now you're ready to take your preschoolers on the VBS journey of a lifetime!
If your VBS begins with elementary children and preschoolers together for a time of opening music, be prepared to have one or two helpers take younger children to your preschool classroom for free play if the large group setting becomes overwhelming.
Use similar VBS-themed decorations for your preschool rooms as you use for your elementary VBS. Just make sure to use decorations without small parts that your little ones can swallow. A good test is to use only those items that are too large to fit inside a cardboard paper towel tube.
Place an attendance chart in your preschool area(s). Give each child a sticker as he enters and help him place it in the appropriate square on the chart. (Some children may prefer not to do this, which is fine. A helper can add stickers for them instead.) You can purchase themed VBS stickers as well as Bible stickers, cross stickers, glitter stickers, and colorful attendance and memory verse charts from EChurchDepot.com.Free Play for Preschoolers
Provide the following toys and supplies for your preschool free play area(s). Ask church members and preschool leaders for donations. Make sure they label their items if they want them to be returned after VBS. Conclude your free-play time with a bathroom break.
• Blocks: Wooden, plastic, or cardboard blocks in different sizes, shapes, and colors; toy people and animals; toy vehicles; manipulative building toys; but nothing with sharp edges or small parts.
• Art: Crayons, washable markers, and chalk; white paper and construction paper; poster paper taped along a wall and over tables for murals; paper shapes for coloring and decorating; stickers; tape for hanging artwork from walls and ceiling.
• Disguises: Costumes, shoes, masks, scarves, capes, plastic sunglasses, purses and bags, and dress-up clothes for boys and girls.
• Dramatic Play: Dolls, doll clothes, plastic cell phones, toy cameras, stuffed animals, small chairs or large
pillows, doll beds, dishes, toy food, doll strollers, plastic shopping carts.
• Books: Various picture books showing items familiar to young children such as nature, farm animals, pets,
friends, family, church, preschool, etc. Include several VBS theme-related picture books, if available.
• Puzzles: Colorful cardboard and wooden framed puzzles with 25 pieces or less, some with knobs.
Egypt VBS Just for Preschoolers
Use the new Joseph in Egypt Preschool VBS from Christian Ed Warehouse this summer to supplement your elementary VBS program from Group, Egypt: Joseph's Journey. Written especially for 2- to 5-year-olds, this five-day preschool VBS program includes Bible stories, snacks, crafts, and games with reproducible student sheets and colorful visuals on CD-ROM. You can view samples and take a look at the contents and course overview for the Joseph in Egypt Preschool VBS. Order the spiral-bound book with CD or, if you need it tomorrow, order the download version.
Now you're ready to take your preschoolers on the VBS journey of a lifetime!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Plant a Seed…GROW a Volunteer
77 tips for growing vital volunteers from fertile friendships
Summer is no time to slack off on your recruiting. In fact, summer can be one of your most productive seasons for connecting with great new people. There are tons of things you can do now to develop friendships with people who may grow into new team members. You can plant a seed, water a relationship, fertilize spiritual growth, and more.
Like friendships, relationships with new team members don’t just happen. They move through a natural progression of acquaintance, acceptance, trust, deepening, companionship, and commitment. (We’d all like to jump to commitment when it comes to recruiting, but relationships require every stage and a lot of patience.)
Prepare your field now with these checklists for every stage of a friendship.
13 Places to Meet New People at Church
Thanks to the Spirit of God drawing people week in and week out to your church, you have opportunities waiting to meet all kinds of new people.
At all church events, stand near the food. You’ll easily meet and greet all sorts of hungry new people.
There’s a man in our church named Roger who’s made our family feel accepted from day one. Follow Roger’s lead, and you’ll make people want to come back.
Okay, so you’ve met a new friend, what do you do now? Don’t be tempted to do these things.
I asked my husband (who’s a very trustworthy guy) to list the top qualities of trustworthy people. So if ever in doubt, think “What would Ray do?”
This list isn’t for the faint of heart. I asked a few of my friends for their favorite “deep” reads. So grab a good friend and dig into spiritual truths that’ll help you both grow in your faith—and deepen your relationship.
Want to say thank you? Nice to meet you? Thinking of you? Get well? Or just share a laugh? These are our favorite sites to find great e-greeting cards.
Think easy cleanup and interest areas for little ones if you really want to have a meaningful conversation with these young moms.
Party! Party! Everyone loves a party, but who likes the work? Try these ideas that make having a party as much fun for you as it is for your guests.
Time for commitment? You’ve built friendships—way to go! Now do the detail work that ensures the right placement of every single person on your team.
Christine Yount Jones is the executive editor for Children’s Ministry Magazine.
Reprinted by permission, Children's Ministry Magazine, Copyright 2006, Group Publishing, Inc., Box 481, Loveland, CO 80539.
Summer is no time to slack off on your recruiting. In fact, summer can be one of your most productive seasons for connecting with great new people. There are tons of things you can do now to develop friendships with people who may grow into new team members. You can plant a seed, water a relationship, fertilize spiritual growth, and more.
Like friendships, relationships with new team members don’t just happen. They move through a natural progression of acquaintance, acceptance, trust, deepening, companionship, and commitment. (We’d all like to jump to commitment when it comes to recruiting, but relationships require every stage and a lot of patience.)
Prepare your field now with these checklists for every stage of a friendship.
13 Places to Meet New People at Church
Thanks to the Spirit of God drawing people week in and week out to your church, you have opportunities waiting to meet all kinds of new people.
At all church events, stand near the food. You’ll easily meet and greet all sorts of hungry new people.
- Serve coffee and doughnuts. Everyone shows up there eventually!
Attend an adult Christian education class where you’ll get to know others (and you’ll grow, too). - Join a sports league—even if you don’t have the skills, you’ll have fun.
Volunteer at the welcome table instead of hanging out at the children’s ministry info table.
Join the choir or praise team—you’ll get to know God a little better, too, as you worship Him! - Get involved in a small group—for instant friends and fellowship.
It’s an oldie, but goldie: Follow up with people from your church’s visitor cards—a phone call trumps an email, and a personal visit trumps a phone call. Forget the form letter; that trumps nothing. - Wander around. A lot. (Try not to look lost, though!)
- Serve your church as a greeter. Give ‘em a firm handshake.
Attend your church’s membership class—always. - When attending service, sit in a different spot each week. People tend to sit in the same vicinity each week—invade some new space.
- Go to church dinners…and sit with people you don’t know.
There’s a man in our church named Roger who’s made our family feel accepted from day one. Follow Roger’s lead, and you’ll make people want to come back.
- Use people’s names. Commit names to memory.
- Touch them…shake a hand, pat a back.
- Smile. You’re happy to see them, aren’t you?
Remember their story. Ask about something they told you earlier. - Be present. Don’t be searching the crowd for your next great contact during conversations. Maintain eye contact.
- Seek people out. They won’t naturally come to you.
Okay, so you’ve met a new friend, what do you do now? Don’t be tempted to do these things.
- Fill the person’s email with jokes, heartwarming stories, or chain emails that you must send on if you really love the person or Jesus.
- Act desperate.
- Ask too-personal questions: “So what really happened between you and your ex?”
- Gripe…about anything. No one wants to be around a grouch.
- Sigh heavily when you talk about your ministry.
- Bring up anything on your body that has recently been diagnosed, X-rayed, scanned, or that oozes.
- Turn down invitations you get from people for dinner, parties, small groups, or anything else. Everyone’s busy, and it’s okay if you can’t attend once or twice, but if your answer is a recurring “no,” people tend to stop inviting you.
- Share church matters that should be kept in the office.
- Gossip. No, no, no, no!
- Have a “better plan” than anything others suggest doing together.
- Invite them to sales parties (plasticware, cookware, jewelry, rock-tumbling) with the subtle expectation for them to spend money to be your friend.
I asked my husband (who’s a very trustworthy guy) to list the top qualities of trustworthy people. So if ever in doubt, think “What would Ray do?”
- Empathy—“I’m sorry that happened.”
- Sincerity—“I really mean that.”
- Confidentiality—“I’ll never tell.”
- Openness to others’ ideas—“What do you think?”
- Listening skills—silence.
This list isn’t for the faint of heart. I asked a few of my friends for their favorite “deep” reads. So grab a good friend and dig into spiritual truths that’ll help you both grow in your faith—and deepen your relationship.
- Waking the Dead by John Eldredge—this is your alarm clock going off!
- Knowing God by J.I. Packer—a classic that never grows old.
- Messy Spirituality by Mike Yaconelli—encouraging and honestly blunt.
- Any book by Henri Nouwen—yes! Any book!
- The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer—makes you think
- Disappointment With God by Philip Yancey—confronts questions we’re often terrified to ask.
- Captivating by John Eldredge (and his wife, Stasi)—a chick book but powerful stuff.
- Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis—Another great classic.
- Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney—You can help each other grow in discipline.
- Out of the Saltshaker and Into the World by Rebecca Manley Pippert—Discover new ways to share your faith.
- Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper—What’s your purpose? (not to be confused with the other purpose book).
- Desiring God by John Piper—How you can delight in God.
- Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality by Donald Miller—Think outside the religious box.
- The Calvary Road by Roy Hession—examines God’s activity in the heart of the hungry seeker.
Want to say thank you? Nice to meet you? Thinking of you? Get well? Or just share a laugh? These are our favorite sites to find great e-greeting cards.
- Dayspring.com (Dazzling Christian-themed e-cards)
- Hallmark.com (Great e-cards for any situation)
- Crosswalk.com (Inspirational e-cards that’ll bring a smile or tear)
- Americangreetings.com (Huge selection of top quality e-cards)
- Bluemountain.com (A paid site, but beautiful e-cards)
- 123greetings.com (More great e-cards)
Think easy cleanup and interest areas for little ones if you really want to have a meaningful conversation with these young moms.
- Any place with an indoor playland or enclosed play area.
- Park with playground equipment.
- Preschool classroom—takeout or delivery.
Party! Party! Everyone loves a party, but who likes the work? Try these ideas that make having a party as much fun for you as it is for your guests.
- Chocolate Boutique (An extravagant, delicious party celebrating chocolate and God’s love)
- Sports Night and Pizza
- BYOB (Bring Your Own Beef) Barbeque
- Build a Pizza (Everyone brings their favorite topping—can work with ice cream, too, except then it’s Build a Sundae)
- Grammy Awards (Get together to watch the sap and provide commentary on everything from dresses to acceptance speeches)
- Party at the Park (Everyone brings a dish and outdoor game—you don’t have to clean a house!)
- Scavenger Hunt (Yes, we’re grown-ups, but these are always great fun, no matter what the age!
Time for commitment? You’ve built friendships—way to go! Now do the detail work that ensures the right placement of every single person on your team.
- Have people fill out an application.
- Conduct a background check.
- Learn about their SHAPE: Spiritual gifts, what they have a Heart for, what their Aptitudes/skills are, their Personality type (introvert, extrovert) and what Experiences they’ve had. This makes a much better fit.
- Introduce them to their future team leader—a new friend, too!
- Watch them in action before placing them in a specific area.
- Ask them: If they had $20 to spend on themselves, how would they spend it? Great way to find out future gifts you can give for affirming!
- Ask what their love language is—this also helps with affirmation ideas.
- Ask where else they’re involved—at church or in the community—help them complement their commitments, not add more stress to their plate.
- Introduce them to other people on the team.
- Give them tools to be their best.
- Give them a job description.
- Pray for them.
Christine Yount Jones is the executive editor for Children’s Ministry Magazine.
Reprinted by permission, Children's Ministry Magazine, Copyright 2006, Group Publishing, Inc., Box 481, Loveland, CO 80539.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Sign Me Up! 7 summer staffing solutions
Summertime is boom time in children’s ministry. There’s vacation Bible school, special events, outreach programs, and more—always more! And you may already be challenged to find enough volunteers for your year-round events. Where will you ever find more?
1. Summer Interns Local colleges and universities house competent summer interns, so connect with faculty members or student services to publicize your summer needs. Provide specific job postings with details and approximate schedules. Offer a variety of times and tasks to potential interns. Interns often prove to be some of your most dedicated volunteers because they’re on a mission—to learn.
If you use interns, pay them in experience what you can’t pay them in money. Coaching, training, evaluation, and on-the-job education are “perks” for interns—things they’ll look back on in their future careers as key learning points. Internship benefits also include résumé-building, real-life experience, a chance to work with children, rewarding volunteer work, and more.
2. Home for the Summer When summer break hits, a different type of college student heads home to their parents (and congregation). Inquire with parents, provide a list of positions and descriptions, and invite these young adults to join your summer team. The key here is follow-up—with parents and the students. Point out the benefits of serving—kids will love being around these fun, young adults; and college students will gain a great volunteer title to put on a résumé one day.
And don’t forget to scout for high school students on summer break—you’ll likely find a few who are willing to pitch in for special events.
3. Summers Off Teachers, professors, and other professionals who have summers off make great temporary summer volunteers—even if they’re not enthusiastic about volunteering during the school year. Teachers are a perfect fit—they love kids, they’re experienced, and during summer they may be willing to jump back into the “classroom” for a higher purpose.
Teachers may want to serve an age group they don’t teach during the year. Do detective work to find teachers in your congregation. Ask your ministry children for referrals—you may find an excellent teacher just looking for an opportunity like one you’re offering.
4. Summer Birds Tap into a wealth of wonderful summer help by seeking out retirees who spend their summers in your area. Target these folks by making your presence and needs known in your congregation through bulletin announcements and before- and after-service information booths. Emphasize that your ministry is the perfect place for temporary residents to get involved and get connected. Also design attractive, informative announcements to post at senior events in your church.
5. Standby Members Some churches have developed successful “standby” programs that you can easily create. Several established church members who aren’t regular volunteers sign on for the standby program that asks for occasional service only. The church calls on standby members to serve during summer programs and in other times of need based on a rotation schedule. Standby members receive an advance schedule with the date and time they’re needed, and they’re only scheduled to serve once or twice during an entire program.
This standby rotation model works well for members who are committed to the church but aren’t serving regularly. It’s very low on time commitment and offers these people the chance to check out what’s happening in children’s ministry during one of the most exciting times of the year. It’s a win-win situation: Standby members get involved with minimal obligation or burnout, and your church has an automatic list of willing “extra” volunteers.
6. Family Fun Inspiring families into service is nothing new, but recruiting them as a unit to staff your summer programs may be something you haven’t considered. Families of all shapes and sizes can make valuable contributions to your summer programs.
Karen, the children’s director of a small church in Florida, struggled with recruiting enough summer help until, out of desperation, she called her sister in a neighboring town and asked her to help with vacation Bible school. The sister brought her husband and children, ages 3 and 13. The entire family got involved—the 3-year-old officially greeted kids, the 13-year-old delivered snacks and assisted other adults, and the husband and wife led worship and served as the cleanup crew.
When the church members saw this family’s willingness to help make VBS a great experience for kids in a church they didn’t even attend, they created a family volunteer program. Now families choose an event and then are assigned various positions according to their ages and interests. This program has operated successfully for several years and has provided more than enough volunteers to staff special summer events.
7. Summertime Teens Church of the Nazarene, a midsize church in Durango, Colorado, has created a long-standing alliance to fill summer positions in children’s ministry with the help of the youth director and a willing attitude from its teenagers.
“Every year our youth director asks his group of teens who wants to help out in the children’s department over the summer,” says Alison Trabing, a Sunday school teacher and former Sunday school superintendent. “The teenagers love it—they love the little kids.” Trabing says the keys to successfully recruiting teenage help are simple: “They’re not serving every night, and of course, we feed them!”
Recruiting teenagers for positions ranging from snack management to game refereeing benefits everyone. Your children get to hang out with the “cool” kids and see them serving God in the church. Teenagers experience the reward of helping younger kids, taking on leadership roles, developing their interests, and doing something extraordinary over the summer.
Reprinted by permission, Children's Ministry Magazine, Copyright 2006, Group Publishing, Inc., Box 481, Loveland, CO 80539.
1. Summer Interns Local colleges and universities house competent summer interns, so connect with faculty members or student services to publicize your summer needs. Provide specific job postings with details and approximate schedules. Offer a variety of times and tasks to potential interns. Interns often prove to be some of your most dedicated volunteers because they’re on a mission—to learn.
If you use interns, pay them in experience what you can’t pay them in money. Coaching, training, evaluation, and on-the-job education are “perks” for interns—things they’ll look back on in their future careers as key learning points. Internship benefits also include résumé-building, real-life experience, a chance to work with children, rewarding volunteer work, and more.
2. Home for the Summer When summer break hits, a different type of college student heads home to their parents (and congregation). Inquire with parents, provide a list of positions and descriptions, and invite these young adults to join your summer team. The key here is follow-up—with parents and the students. Point out the benefits of serving—kids will love being around these fun, young adults; and college students will gain a great volunteer title to put on a résumé one day.
And don’t forget to scout for high school students on summer break—you’ll likely find a few who are willing to pitch in for special events.
3. Summers Off Teachers, professors, and other professionals who have summers off make great temporary summer volunteers—even if they’re not enthusiastic about volunteering during the school year. Teachers are a perfect fit—they love kids, they’re experienced, and during summer they may be willing to jump back into the “classroom” for a higher purpose.
Teachers may want to serve an age group they don’t teach during the year. Do detective work to find teachers in your congregation. Ask your ministry children for referrals—you may find an excellent teacher just looking for an opportunity like one you’re offering.
4. Summer Birds Tap into a wealth of wonderful summer help by seeking out retirees who spend their summers in your area. Target these folks by making your presence and needs known in your congregation through bulletin announcements and before- and after-service information booths. Emphasize that your ministry is the perfect place for temporary residents to get involved and get connected. Also design attractive, informative announcements to post at senior events in your church.
5. Standby Members Some churches have developed successful “standby” programs that you can easily create. Several established church members who aren’t regular volunteers sign on for the standby program that asks for occasional service only. The church calls on standby members to serve during summer programs and in other times of need based on a rotation schedule. Standby members receive an advance schedule with the date and time they’re needed, and they’re only scheduled to serve once or twice during an entire program.
This standby rotation model works well for members who are committed to the church but aren’t serving regularly. It’s very low on time commitment and offers these people the chance to check out what’s happening in children’s ministry during one of the most exciting times of the year. It’s a win-win situation: Standby members get involved with minimal obligation or burnout, and your church has an automatic list of willing “extra” volunteers.
6. Family Fun Inspiring families into service is nothing new, but recruiting them as a unit to staff your summer programs may be something you haven’t considered. Families of all shapes and sizes can make valuable contributions to your summer programs.
Karen, the children’s director of a small church in Florida, struggled with recruiting enough summer help until, out of desperation, she called her sister in a neighboring town and asked her to help with vacation Bible school. The sister brought her husband and children, ages 3 and 13. The entire family got involved—the 3-year-old officially greeted kids, the 13-year-old delivered snacks and assisted other adults, and the husband and wife led worship and served as the cleanup crew.
When the church members saw this family’s willingness to help make VBS a great experience for kids in a church they didn’t even attend, they created a family volunteer program. Now families choose an event and then are assigned various positions according to their ages and interests. This program has operated successfully for several years and has provided more than enough volunteers to staff special summer events.
7. Summertime Teens Church of the Nazarene, a midsize church in Durango, Colorado, has created a long-standing alliance to fill summer positions in children’s ministry with the help of the youth director and a willing attitude from its teenagers.
“Every year our youth director asks his group of teens who wants to help out in the children’s department over the summer,” says Alison Trabing, a Sunday school teacher and former Sunday school superintendent. “The teenagers love it—they love the little kids.” Trabing says the keys to successfully recruiting teenage help are simple: “They’re not serving every night, and of course, we feed them!”
Recruiting teenagers for positions ranging from snack management to game refereeing benefits everyone. Your children get to hang out with the “cool” kids and see them serving God in the church. Teenagers experience the reward of helping younger kids, taking on leadership roles, developing their interests, and doing something extraordinary over the summer.
Reprinted by permission, Children's Ministry Magazine, Copyright 2006, Group Publishing, Inc., Box 481, Loveland, CO 80539.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
7 Secrets to VBS Success
1. Pray
This is a big job, so meet with your Christian Education Director, Children’s Pastor, or Sunday School Superintendent. Begin with prayer, asking the Lord to direct you and give you wisdom as you plan for your vacation Bible school. You may want to organize a prayer team who will continue to pray for your program before, during, and after your VBS dates.
2. Plan
Once you have a budget, order several VBS starter kits to determine which one(s) will work best with your church and community. Return the kits you won’t need or keep an extra kit to use as an outreach program over spring break—or any time you need a special program. Your kids will enjoy the fun VBS crafts and gifts anytime. Visit Shop VBS to see a VBS Comparison Chart and print out a VBS Planning Guide and Timeline for organizing your VBS preparation.
3. Recruit
Ask the Lord to direct you to the people whom He wants to teach your precious children. Ask Him to prepare the hearts of these people to be receptive to becoming VBS leaders or helpers. Then make a list of qualified people who might be interested, and make an appointment to visit them in their homes. Explain the VBS program and the responsibilities of a VBS leader or helper. Ask him or her to pray about the decision, and if desired, leave a specific job description with him or her. To ensure your children the very best experiences in your VBS program, look for leaders and teachers with the following qualifications:
Before your begin signing up children for VBS, print registration cards onto heavy stock. Give them to parents when they register their children. Have parents fill out a registration card for each child attending your program. The card should contain emergency information and a place to list allergies and other medical conditions of your students. For any child with allergies, create a special, brightly colored name badge with the allergies listed so all leaders and helpers are aware of the allergies and don’t inadvertently give the child something that might cause an allergic reaction.
5. Be Creative!
Creativity may not be your strong suit, but no doubt your church is full of creative talent just waiting to be put to good use. Someone who can paint backdrops, another person who can concoct inexpensive yet healthy snack options, a seamstress who can design skit costumes or theme decorations, a crafty mom who can modify the suggested VBS crafts into easy-to-prepare keepsakes made from household supplies—all of these people can play a role in kicking your VBS program up a notch. The key is to tap into their talents without giving them overwhelming responsibilities.
6. Pray (Continually!)
Each day during your VBS, have volunteers arrive 15-20 minutes early for announcements and a time of prayer. You may want to provide coffee and juice each morning, with donuts or bagels and fruit the first day. Or provide dinner in the evening and invite your VBS families to come (have your volunteers arrive 15-20 minutes before dinner). Use your VBS theme for a brief devotion, then make announcements, share prayer requests and praises, and conclude with a time of prayer (for each other, for the children, and for God’s wisdom and discernment). Each day, let volunteers share stories of how God is working during VBS. Then take time to thank Him for the ways He is using each person to spread His Word and change lives.
7. Consider Including Preschoolers in Your VBS
VBS is a great way to introduce young families to your church. Consider including 2- to 5-year-olds in your VBS program. You may want to run a separate preschool program for your little ones. The hours can be the same as for your elementary program, but younger children can have their own learning centers, games, and age-appropriate crafts. The preschoolers can join the other children for your VBS opening and then go their own preschool rooms for the rest of the morning.
If your VBS begins with everyone together for an opening song time, be prepared to have one or two helpers take younger children to your preschool classroom for free play if the large group setting becomes overwhelming. If you include two-year-olds in your preschool VBS program, you may want to have parents take them directly to the preschool room each day rather than having them join the opening songs with the older children. If you have a Bible story or skit after your opening song time, your preschoolers may be too wiggly to stay seated for the entire story or skit. Consider having them leave after the songs and have a separate preschool-oriented Bible story or puppet skit especially for them. Visit Shop VBS to take a look at a Preschool All-in-One Kit, VBS curriculum written especially for your two- to five-year-olds.
And Finally…Evaluate!
Before your VBS ends, have thank-you notes and evaluation forms ready for your helpers. Gather feedback about what worked and what didn’t so you can make changes for next year. Make notes so if you are not involved, you can pass them on to your successor. Thank God for the ways He worked to change lives during VBS. Be sure to let your volunteers know how much they were appreciated. While they’re still excited about the great things that happened during VBS, ask if they would be willing to consider being a part of the team next year. (Just to get an idea, not for a firm commitment.) Then follow up around March or April (or just as soon as you set the next date) to have them start praying about volunteering for your next VBS program.
This is a big job, so meet with your Christian Education Director, Children’s Pastor, or Sunday School Superintendent. Begin with prayer, asking the Lord to direct you and give you wisdom as you plan for your vacation Bible school. You may want to organize a prayer team who will continue to pray for your program before, during, and after your VBS dates.
2. Plan
Once you have a budget, order several VBS starter kits to determine which one(s) will work best with your church and community. Return the kits you won’t need or keep an extra kit to use as an outreach program over spring break—or any time you need a special program. Your kids will enjoy the fun VBS crafts and gifts anytime. Visit Shop VBS to see a VBS Comparison Chart and print out a VBS Planning Guide and Timeline for organizing your VBS preparation.
3. Recruit
Ask the Lord to direct you to the people whom He wants to teach your precious children. Ask Him to prepare the hearts of these people to be receptive to becoming VBS leaders or helpers. Then make a list of qualified people who might be interested, and make an appointment to visit them in their homes. Explain the VBS program and the responsibilities of a VBS leader or helper. Ask him or her to pray about the decision, and if desired, leave a specific job description with him or her. To ensure your children the very best experiences in your VBS program, look for leaders and teachers with the following qualifications:
- Are dedicated Christians who seek to live for Christ daily, who study God’s Word, and who know the plan of salvation
- Are tuned in to kids, and able to build upon their natural interests
- Enjoy sharing in the children’s joy of discovery
- Are warm, outgoing, and have a genuine love and sensitivity for children
- Appreciate and seek to follow God’s command to teach children
- Have a basic understanding of children in terms of their physical, mental, and emotional development, and their spiritual needs
- Are reliable and disciplined to prepare for each meeting
- Are suitable role models for children
Before your begin signing up children for VBS, print registration cards onto heavy stock. Give them to parents when they register their children. Have parents fill out a registration card for each child attending your program. The card should contain emergency information and a place to list allergies and other medical conditions of your students. For any child with allergies, create a special, brightly colored name badge with the allergies listed so all leaders and helpers are aware of the allergies and don’t inadvertently give the child something that might cause an allergic reaction.
5. Be Creative!
Creativity may not be your strong suit, but no doubt your church is full of creative talent just waiting to be put to good use. Someone who can paint backdrops, another person who can concoct inexpensive yet healthy snack options, a seamstress who can design skit costumes or theme decorations, a crafty mom who can modify the suggested VBS crafts into easy-to-prepare keepsakes made from household supplies—all of these people can play a role in kicking your VBS program up a notch. The key is to tap into their talents without giving them overwhelming responsibilities.
6. Pray (Continually!)
Each day during your VBS, have volunteers arrive 15-20 minutes early for announcements and a time of prayer. You may want to provide coffee and juice each morning, with donuts or bagels and fruit the first day. Or provide dinner in the evening and invite your VBS families to come (have your volunteers arrive 15-20 minutes before dinner). Use your VBS theme for a brief devotion, then make announcements, share prayer requests and praises, and conclude with a time of prayer (for each other, for the children, and for God’s wisdom and discernment). Each day, let volunteers share stories of how God is working during VBS. Then take time to thank Him for the ways He is using each person to spread His Word and change lives.
7. Consider Including Preschoolers in Your VBS
VBS is a great way to introduce young families to your church. Consider including 2- to 5-year-olds in your VBS program. You may want to run a separate preschool program for your little ones. The hours can be the same as for your elementary program, but younger children can have their own learning centers, games, and age-appropriate crafts. The preschoolers can join the other children for your VBS opening and then go their own preschool rooms for the rest of the morning.
If your VBS begins with everyone together for an opening song time, be prepared to have one or two helpers take younger children to your preschool classroom for free play if the large group setting becomes overwhelming. If you include two-year-olds in your preschool VBS program, you may want to have parents take them directly to the preschool room each day rather than having them join the opening songs with the older children. If you have a Bible story or skit after your opening song time, your preschoolers may be too wiggly to stay seated for the entire story or skit. Consider having them leave after the songs and have a separate preschool-oriented Bible story or puppet skit especially for them. Visit Shop VBS to take a look at a Preschool All-in-One Kit, VBS curriculum written especially for your two- to five-year-olds.
And Finally…Evaluate!
Before your VBS ends, have thank-you notes and evaluation forms ready for your helpers. Gather feedback about what worked and what didn’t so you can make changes for next year. Make notes so if you are not involved, you can pass them on to your successor. Thank God for the ways He worked to change lives during VBS. Be sure to let your volunteers know how much they were appreciated. While they’re still excited about the great things that happened during VBS, ask if they would be willing to consider being a part of the team next year. (Just to get an idea, not for a firm commitment.) Then follow up around March or April (or just as soon as you set the next date) to have them start praying about volunteering for your next VBS program.
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