Chapter 3: Practical Keys to Working with Children

In This Section

The Teacher
From Spirituality and the Arts in Children's Programming

Your job as the teacher is to help children to be comfortable and successful in their church school experience. If you can be flexible and open to the children’s responses, they will have a good experience. Your positive attitude goes a long way toward empowering the children to participate fully.
Planning
From Spirituality and the Arts in Children's Programming

Think of yourself as the leader of an expedition into new interior territory. You want to prepare the expedition so that you and the children can have as meaningful an experience as possible. You need to set up activities so that children can feel both safe and successful….
Space
From Spirituality and the Arts in Children's Programming

Space is rarely talked about in church school programming but it is one of the most important aspects of an arts experience. You need to look at the space that is allotted to your class to decide which experiences can work for the group. Do you have a large group of children and a small space? Is…
Timing
From Spirituality and the Arts in Children's Programming

Another key element in successful activities is the amount of time that you have for your church school class. Churches vary in the amount of time given to religious exploration. Some groups have only 45 minutes after children leave the sanctuary; others routinely have up to 1 ½ hours….