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| We currently use a large group/small group model for our children's church time and I am having trouble getting kids to settle down especially in the times when we switch between the elements of our large group worship time. (50-60 kids) I don't like calling kids out individually in front of the entire group. I have small group leaders but they are teens and are reluctant or too shy to take control of an unruly child on their own. Please give me any and all of your ideas and what works for you!
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| We use to use tickets that kids would receive for DWJWD (Doing What Jesus Would Do) the helpers would just watch kids and hand them a ticket when they were doing something good (like listening, doing worship, answer questions etc) then the kids would put their names on the tickets (or the helpers would if they can't write) and put them in a bucket at the end of each month we did a drawing for something of good size or value (about 20-30 dollars). We would have 2 drawings one for the younger age and one for the older. We were amazed that once we got this going how the kids would listen and participate. You can use the tickets for any behavior you want to reward (like bible reading, helping etc) Hope that helps. If you would like to see a copy of our tickets send me a message and I will email them to you. Melissa - NY
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| One thing that has worked for me if the kids are in an area without chairs: I have them sit on the floor. This seems to confuse them and they all focus on me to see what is up. (don't use it too often or it becomes ineffective) Maybe if they are in chairs try having them sit on their hands? We also have "Wiggle Out" sessions which even work if they are sitting in chairs. Have Simon Says type moment. "Stand Up straight - arms to your side - close your eyes - take a deep breath - let it out - turn around - shake your body - ect. ect." With eyes closed they are more likely to listen to the instructions (just remember to have them open their eyes before continuing the session  ). We use this type of activity several times throughout the Sunday School year when there are mornings of overwhelming "wiggles" (aka: Cabin Fever). It really helps use up some energy and put the focus on the music leaders.
- Adrianne
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| This is a fun way to get children's refocused. It always works well especially when working with Teenage Crew Leaders who are reluctant to call children down. I divide the crews up into 2-3 large groups and give those groups a fun name around a theme. For example you could have a candy theme.. M&M's, Payday & 3 Musketeers . Then we teach each group their own identifying "shout out" phrase. M & M's shout out could be "Melts in your Mouth, Not in your Hands", Payday shout out could be "Cha ching!" and 3 Musketeers could be "All for one and one for all!" I tell them that when I shout out their group's name, they are to immediately respond with their "shout out", then listen and look at me because we are moving on to something fun. We then practice and I praise the groups who respond the quickest, the loudest, whatever. When I do the shout outs, I like to mix it out. For example, I may ask "M & M's are you out there?" and they respond with their special shout out, "Melts In your Mouth, Not in your hands!". "Paydays, do you hear me?" and they respond "Cha Ching". etc. "3 Musketeers - I can't hear you!" and they respond "One for all and all for one!" By the time I do all three shout out roll calls, everyone is focused and ready for the next activity. The kids love it! The youth appreciate it because it gets the children working together as well as builds team. AND, It takes only 30 seconds to do the full roll call! Then you are back on track and ready to move on. I think the most fun is making up the group names and matching shout outs. If you get the youth involved in making up the names and thinking up the shout outs, they'll really buy into it and if the teens like it, the kids will love it!
Lisa B from NC
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I give raffle tickets to each child at the beginning of the service. The child keeps the ticket unless they are misbehaving. At the end of the service we have a drawing for 3-4 trips to the treasure chest (dollar store items). The kids look forward to the drawing at the end of service and I rarely have to take any tickets up.
God Bless! Angie
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Last Login: 2/28/2008 12:10:49 PM
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| Thanks so much everyone, I am going to give one of these suggestions a try this Sunday!
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Please post back and let us know how your Sunday goes!
Lisa B from NC
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I also like to do a "call out" with the kids in my ministry. Teach them a simple abbreviation, like "FJ" for "Followers of Jesus" and then when you "call out" the kids respond. For us, I say "FJ!" and the kids respond with two claps (*Clap *Clap). I repeat twice more and they become focused on me and they're ready to listen to what's next.
Sometimes I mix it up with a whispered "FJ" and they clap softly - or a loud "FJ" and they clap loudly.
Simple, yet effective in getting their attention. The kids become attuned to the "FJ" and when they hear it they automatically stop talking and clap their hands. It's genius! (I got it from someone else).
Hope this helps!
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