Kids Know Best?

Did you know kids know best? Let me tell you about what I learned from my Sunday School class kids today.

The kids were full of anticipation as I ask the first question. We were having a review of November Sunday School lessons, so I was asking questions about each lesson. As the kids answered a question correctly, I awarded them with a prize from my prize bag. I warned them that the first question was a hard one. After I read the question, one of my most troublesome students raised his hand with enthusiasm. He proudly answered correctly and I was very suprised by this. Again this was a hard question that only him and another child attempted to answer (the other child is most likely a genius). Not only did he answer this question, but he answered many more. He also gave away his prizes to some of his friends. Wow, he is getting it I thought. Although just a few minutes earlier he was shooting people with a stapler while I was not watching.

Lesson 1: Some teaching methods work for some children, while some only work for other students. This is why I feel that it is important to present your lesson with using as many methods as possible. While I thought I could not possibly be getting through to the child that answered above, it appears that he was learning.

As we went on, I continued to award the prizes. The prizes were given out as I found them in my bag, and I gave out 5 types of prizes. The prize types were lolipops, rubber bracelets with Christian messages, spiral hand-size notebooks with Christian messages on the cover, pencils with Christian messages, and ink stamps with Christian pictures and messages.

The children were happy with the lolipops and bracelets as I awarded these first. Once they saw the notebooks, pencils, and stamps though they began begging for these prizes. They even wanted to trade the lolipops and bracelets for them.

At the end of our quiz time the kids began to pass around the notepads. Everyone won because some of the answers that were given would win a prize for the whole class. By the end of the quiz everyone had a notepad and a stamp. They passed around the notebooks and each kid stamped all of the notepads with their stamp. They came up with this process, so what did I learn.

Lesson 2: If you watch the children they will show you ideas that you can use to teach them. Honestly I did not think the prizes we had would go over very well with our 21st century kids (our Sunday School Director had purchased them for us at my request, but I did not specify what to buy).

I have learned kids do know best about how they can learn. If we use a few different methods to teach during a teaching session we can probably reach more children with our teaching. Also, if we let the children have some time and freedom in class we can watch for methods to teach them more effectively. You know kids will still play with a stick in the yard, or dress up in old clothes and play. We do not have to have the latest and greatest teaching tool if we listen to God and use wisdom.

God's Love and Blessings,
Greg

Yesterday in Sunday School

I was late. My wife went on time to Sunday School, and I came in 30 minutes late. Our other teacher was already there on time also. I was late, because I had stayed up late on Saturday. I did give my wife an activity that the kids could do while they waited for me, draw or write about courage, while they waited in our hour-long class.

I came in and it was a zoo. Neither my wife or my other teacher excel at providing "tough love" discipline. I quickly told them that I would not allow the bad behavior, and if they continued I was going to take them to there parents.

After we had them mostly settled we began our study on the courage of Ester. We also played the game, Who, What, Where, which is a true God send. I have included it in the latest version of 33 Ways to Engage Children in Bible Study, because I was so happy with it. This game was sent by God to me during the time the kids were at there most uncontrollable stage.

I have also included in the latest 33 Ways a future invitation to the ULTIMATE INFORMATION SHARING CONFERNENCE CALL. This will be later in 2008, and will include me and other 33 Ways owners. I hope we get some of our international owners on the call, because I would love to know how 33 Ways works in other countries. I will be posting more information in the blog, and in the monthly newsletter.

Praying God's Blessings for us all,
Gregory Johnson