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Forum Newbie
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/20/2009 7:51:16 PM
Posts: 7,
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We're trying to make changes in our kids church because we've found that a lot of our kids (and parents for that matter) don't see this as "real church". For a some of our kids, its a place to be entertained and for some parents this is just childcare.
What is your kids church schedule? Currently we have 1/2 hour worship, 1/2 hour lesson, 10 min snack, 15-20 min game, 15-20 min craft. We used to have a small group time but have lost several volunteers so we cut that out. I would have preferred to take out the game since its not relevant to the lesson. The games are just to get the wiggles out.
One of the problems we have is with participation. We usually have around 30 kids, ranging in age from 5 to 11. During worship, only a few stand when asked to do so. During game time, we usually have around 10 kids who "just don't feel like playing". We have no problems during snack or craft time.
I would like this time to be a fun learning time for all so the kids want to come back every week. We don't have consistent attendance either. We may see one child one week and then not see them for two weeks.
I appreciate any ideas.
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Forum Expert
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 12:52:09 PM
Posts: 239,
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| You are in the same situation we used to be in - trying to cover the entire adult worship service with the kids, about an hour and a half, with little help. I used to get Faithweaver for grades PreK-K, 1-2, and 3-4, and Kid's Own Worship, and mix and match from all of the activities in those materials to come up with an hour and a half that worked for the mixed group of kids. That actually worked from the kid's point of view, but was very time consuming and tedious for me, what with ripping out pages and assembling them together, and gathering all of the materials for the lessons and games and then having to think of my own crafts, since even that mix doesn't always include such things. It was also expensive. We now have the kids STAY with their parents for the opening of the service - during the singing, offering and such - about 30 minutes in - and THEN exit to the kid's area. That leaves me with only an hour to cover, and the "wiggles" are out just by changing location. In the past, I have used Living Inside Out, with theme decorating like a mini-VBS (It's GREAT, by the way). I have used old VBS kits from various publishers, taking only the heart of the programs - Bible, games, crafts - and doing a lesson per week. We just started using Hands On Bible MAX, where the only help you need are VBS-like "crew leaders" to sit with small groups in one big room and follow directions while the leader is actually in charge. The first Sunday went great, and no one missed game time. As the lesson was about "What is the Bible?" I got some reproducible info on the subject, copied the pages, and had the kids make a booklet out of it and decorate the construction paper covers. That was the extent of the craft. And that was necessary only because church went a little longer because of communion. I hope that helps. God bless you and your efforts! It is worth it!
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