• All Sites:
  • Pastors
  • Leadership
  • Kids Ministry
  • Student Ministry
  • Groups Ministry
  • Women's Ministry
  • Worship Ministry
LifeWay

Kids Ministry

Dedicated to helping Kids Ministry leaders in their mission of making disciples

  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Training
  • Events
  • Team
  • Resources
Kids Ministry, Sunday School
August 14, 2014

Why I Put Out So Much Stuff for Preschoolers

By Landry Holmes

Landry-150x150Recently, I was told by a sweet, well-meaning preschool teacher that I didn’t need to get out so much stuff for one of our multiple teaching hours at church. After all, not many preschoolers come to that particular session. I understand the reasons behind the question. And, fewer teaching supplies mean less time cleaning up.

However, I enjoy choosing puzzles, toys, blocks, art supplies, and other teaching materials. As I gather the stuff, I think about the delight in the preschoolers’s eyes as they enter a room at church with fun, Bible learning waiting to happen. So, the next time you’re tempted to skimp on the things you gather for preschoolers, keep these five thoughts in mind:

1. God has wired preschoolers differently.

They need to be able to choose activities according to how God has created them to learn. Physical learners need to move. Visual learners need things at which to look. Verbal and relational learners need to talk. Reflective learners need to ponder, and natural learners need to explore. Musical learners need rhythm and music, while logical learners need structure.

2. A variety of learning materials provide more opportunities for teacher-child interactions.

When a preschooler chooses to do another activity, the teacher can continue Bible conversation since the child’s focus is renewed.

3. Preschoolers have short attention spans.

As a rule of thumb, a preschooler’s attention span is one minute for every year of his age. Hence, a three-year-old may lose interest in an activity after only three minutes, unless the activity offers continual change.

4. Busy preschoolers equal fewer behavior problems.

What do preschoolers do when they don’t have anything constructive to do? That’s correct, they often find something destructive to do!

5. Preschoolers are curious.

They will wonder about what toys and art supplies you might furnish the next time they come to church. Keep their imaginations alive!

As you gather teaching materials for your next session with preschoolers, choose at least one toy, puzzle or art supply that you haven’t used in a while. The kids will be excited, and so will you!

Landry Holmes is Manager of Kids Ministry Publishing, LifeWay Christian Resources. He teaches preschoolers and elementary kids at his church in Middle Tennessee. Landry and his wife Janetta are the parents of two adult sons and a beautiful daughter-in-law. When they’re not working or at church, they’re entertaining their rat terrier Ranger (named after the Texas Rangers baseball team).

 

You may also like -

  • Kidmin Leaders Struggle With FOMO, TooKidmin Leaders Struggle With FOMO, Too
  • ETCH Family Ministry ConferenceETCH Family Ministry Conference
  • Why Wouldn’t You Do This? (Part 2)Why Wouldn’t You Do This? (Part 2)
  • Leadership Lessons from the Bible: John the BaptistLeadership Lessons from the Bible: John the Baptist

Filed Under: Kids Ministry, Sunday School August 14, 2014

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to Podcast

Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsAndroidRSS

Sign Up to receive the free Kids Ministry 101 Magazine!

Get the Digital Magazine Get the Print Magazine
Want to write for LifeWay Kids?

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 1,222 other subscribers

@LifeWayKids
FOLLOW
My Tweets

All Ministry Sites

Pastors
Leadership
Kids Ministry
Student Ministry
Groups Ministry
Women’s Ministry
Worship Ministry

Digital Resources

Ministry Grid
LifeWay Worship
Digital Church
KidEvent Pro
MyCurriculum Manager
Simulcast Manager
LifeWay Reader eBooks
Generosity
WORDsearch
SmallGroup.com

LifeWay Network

LifeWay Research
B&H
Ridgecrest

Copyright © 2021 · LifeWay Christian Resources · All Rights Reserved