A new ministry year can mean new classes, new students, and new teachers. For me, this new ministry year includes teaching new students and a new age group. I’m looking forward to connecting with my new students in my class and their families in the following ways:
- Send a welcome letter. In the letter introduce each teacher. Share your testimony. Through my experience, parents begin to trust you sooner, by learning your story. As a bonus, they are more open to sharing their story with you.
- Greet each child at the door. The way you greet parents at the classroom door can set the tone for the morning and provide opportunities to connect with them. Specific ideas for greeting children can be found HERE.
- Contact the families in your class regularly. This can be through phone calls, emails, or text. A simple hello or “How can I pray for you today?” can communicate care to parents. I’ve found relationships are built through these intentional contacts made through the year.
- Send the suggested weekly email found on the curriculum enhanced CD as a follow-up to each week’s lesson. Each of Lifeway’s ongoing curriculums (Bible Studies for Life, Explore the Bible, and The Gospel Project) offer a sample email to send to parents. The emails share important parts of the weekly Bible story and give a suggested activity for parents to reinforce the lesson.
- Write and send a postcard to each child. Kids love to receive mail. They may rarely receive a note addressed to them. Writing a short quick note with a few sentences communicates to parents and kids they are special.
- Be intentional to greet families when outside of the classroom. Children love to talk to their teachers when they see them outside the classroom. They’re excited to recognize someone they know and who cares for them. Make an extra effort and be aware to speak to your students you may see around the church or in the community.
Connecting with families builds trust with the parents. It allows you an opportunity to more effectively minister to them. What other ways would you choose to connect with kids and their families this year?
Delanee Williams serves as a Ministry Specialist with Lifeway Kids. She is a graduate of Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Delanee has served in kids ministry for over twenty years and is passionate about developing, equipping and encouraging leaders.
