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Kids Ministry, Leadership
January 22, 2016

Is it Philosophy or Methodology?

By Landry Holmes

Landry-150x150The term “philosophy” gets thrown around a lot, sometimes negatively. However, by definition, “philosophy” is neutral­–it’s neither positive nor negative. Merriam-Webster defines the term as, “the most basic beliefs, concepts, and attitudes of an individual or group.”

In kids ministry we sometimes confuse philosophy with methodology. While methods may demonstrate our philosophy, they are more fluid than philosophy.  Here are some ways to distinguish the two:

  • Philosophy is built on biblical convictions. For example, our philosophy should include the desire to introduce kids to Jesus.
  • Methods are ways to teach our biblical convictions. We may choose to introduce kids to Jesus with large-group games, word searches, crafts, video clips, etc.
  • Philosophy is very personal and changes very little or none at all, over a long period of time.
  • Methods can be flexible without violating philosophy. They may change from decade to decade, from year to year, from week to week, and even from child to child.
  • Philosophy can be stated clearly and briefly.
  • The list of methods can be almost infinite.

Given the distinctives above, let me ask you a question: “Is the use of coloring pages based on philosophy or is it a method?” Before you answer, take a look down your church’s preschool hallways or in the elementary classrooms.

If the coloring pages, other artwork, or crafts all look alike, then what does that tell you about the philosophy of the teachers? Does it mean that they value product over process? On the flip side, if the coloring pages look like abstract art and the crafts are misshapen, then I would say that the teachers’ philosophy is to teach children in ways God has created them to learn best and that the teachers place process above product.

As for me, I want to choose the latter scenario. In that way, my seldom-changing philosophy drives the various methods I employ. What will you choose?

Landry Holmes leads Lifeway’s Kids Ministry Publishing Team and is a children’s ministry volunteer at his church. He is a husband, dad, father-in-law, and dog person.

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).

 

Media, Training
July 14, 2014

Using Technology With Preschoolers

By Landry Holmes

FLandry-150x150ive-year-old John (not his real name) usually comes into his classroom at church with boundless energy and an I’m-here-let’s-get-started attitude. However on this particular Sunday morning, he clung to his parents like Velcro®. After I peeled him off his dad, I sat on the floor with John and introduced him to The Gospel Project for Kids Family App on my tablet.

Disclaimer: I fully believe that when preschoolers are at church they should receive personalized attention from a living, breathing adult. Nothing, including mobile devices, should take the place of one-on-one interaction between teachers and kids — nothing!

That said, technological devices are great tools for teaching children the Bible. But that’s all they are, tools. Technology has been around for a long time. There was a period in history in which Bibles were only accessible to church leaders. The “common folk” didn’t have their own copies of God’s Word until a new technology called the printing press came along.

Now, we have TVs, DVD players, live-streaming devices, electronic tablets, smartphones, mp3 players, etc. That’s a lot of teaching tools for a guy who grew up in the 8-Track era! Nonetheless, I have embraced technology at church.

Here are some ways we can leverage today’s technology with preschoolers:

1. Use electronic tablets or smartphones for a transition activity.

This is not time to play Minecraft®. Use one of Lifeway’s family apps or another Bible-related app to help reluctant preschoolers engage in Bible learning. Sit with the child and engage her in conversation as she plays.

2. Employ free or low-cost apps for classroom management.

One of the best ways to help preschoolers take turns doing favorite tasks is to use a name selector app. The app randomly selects a child’s name, and you avoid temper tantrums. Also, there are fun apps for countdowns and time clocks that can be used these to help preschoolers know when it’s time to cleanup.

3. Show 3-5 minute realistic videos to introduce or review the Bible story or life application.

I always hold up my Bible and remind preschoolers that Bible stories and truths come from the Bible, even if we hear them from someone on a TV.

4. Set up a pretend computer in the room.

Make a computer screen out of a cardboard box and attach an old keyboard and mouse. Place sheet protectors on the box so that you can slip in Bible words. Even high-tech kids enjoying imitating adults by playing on pretend devices.

5. Play music on a CD player or mp3 device with external speakers. 

Play Bible-related music throughout the session while preschoolers participate in Bible-learning activities. During group time, invite the preschoolers to sing songs and move to the music.

6. Guide preschoolers to sing along to Bible-related music videos.

Even non-readers enjoy seeing words with moving backgrounds or people doing simple motions on the TV screen.

You don’t have to be high-tech to use technology with preschoolers. Begin with something simple, like a CD player, and slowly add additional technology. Remember, technological devices should be used only as teaching tools that enable personal conversation between teachers and preschoolers. So have fun and teach kids about Jesus, using the technology available to 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).

Preschoolers, Sunday School
June 20, 2014

How to Kill Your Preschool Ministry

By Landry Holmes

Landry-150x150The fact that you are reading a kids ministry blog post indicates that you probably want to grow your preschool ministry, not kill it. However, there may be things you are doing, or not doing, that in essence may be keeping your preschool ministry from reaching its potential. Take this brief quiz to see how your preschool ministry is doing.

  1. Do all of your preschool rooms have at least two, unrelated adult teachers who have passed a background check? More than one qualified adult teacher in a room protects children, teachers, and the church. This is a must.
  2. Is every first-time guest parent greeted either in the parking lot or as soon as he enters the building, and do greeters know where the preschoolers meet?
  3. When parents take their infant to the baby room, is the lighting in the room at an appropriate level? We may think that if a child is sleeping, the room should be dark or semi-dark. If I walk into a dark restaurant, I wonder what the manager is trying to hide. Keep the lights on.
  4. Are your preschool rooms clean, and do they look and smell clean? I admit that I’m anti-germs to a fault, but who wants to leave their young child in a dirty room or one that looks dirty?
  5. Are your preschool rooms clutter-free? Unless you’re a certified hoarder, would you want guests to see your house in a mess? I’m not sure why preschool teachers are notorious for keeping resources that are 50 years old, but perhaps it’s time to close your eyes and throw stuff away. And, don’t give it to another church. They don’t need clutter either.

How did you do? If you answered, “yes,” to all five questions, congratulations, you’re on track to attract young parents and keep them coming to your church! If you answered, “no” to any of the questions, ask yourself what is keeping you from creating a preschool environment that says, “We welcome you and your child to our church; we are ready for you; and we value you and your child because Jesus values 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).

Encouragement, Leadership
January 16, 2014

Help, I’m Married to the Kids Minister!

By Landry Holmes

Jan17

Landry-150x150If you are reading this, you probably are the kids minister (or preschool ministries director, children’s director, etc.). Forward this to your spouse and keep reading so you will know if he/she reads it — or not!

My wife and I have been married for over 30 years. During the first half of our marital adventure, I was either preparing for or serving on a church staff. My wife was my partner in ministry. Before our children were born, we taught preschool Sunday School together. When our two sons were young, my wife made sure they were in Sunday School, worship, missions, choir, and everywhere else good staff children were supposed to be. I even dragged my young family to children’s camp, the year that I came down with Shingles during the week!

Then came the big move from church staff to Lifeway Christian Resources. No longer serving as a staff member, I was a volunteer again. My wife and I almost immediately began teaching preschool Sunday School, and a few years later we taught Bible skills to preteens. We drove to church as a family. We could take off on a weekend if we wanted to do so. Then came the empty nest.

Around that same time, our church asked my wife to join the staff. Suddenly, I was married to the Director of Preschool Ministries. Needless to say, I didn’t know how to act. However, I have learned some things that may be helpful if you find yourself married to a kids minister, too.

1. Remember who is on church staff — and it’s not you!

You are not in charge. You are a volunteer, just as are the other kids ministry volunteers at your church. You don’t make the decisions; you abide by your spouse’s decisions. If you disagree, do so privately. If other volunteers try to go around your spouse by coming to you with their concerns, defer them to your spouse. When others want you to do something because they “can’t find” your spouse, gently redirect them.

2. Be an advisor, not a general.

This can be especially hard for men. If something is not going well, or if someone doesn’t like what your spouse is doing, you may want to charge into the battle. Don’t do it! Listen to your spouse and give advice when asked, but don’t try to be a fixer. Sometimes your spouse needs you to step out of your volunteer role and just be the husband or wife God has called you to be. Listen, comfort, support, and pray with your spouse.

3. Make wise choices related to church leadership opportunities.

Prior to my wife being on paid church staff, I had served on the Preschool Committee, Personnel Committee, and Deacon Ministry Team. Now, I limit my leadership opportunities to preschool and children’s ministry. Maybe kids ministry is not “your thing.” However, if a leadership position feels like a conflict of interest (Deacons, Finance Committee, Personnel Committee), then it probably is. Say, “No,” to those opportunities. You’ll be more effective in other roles, and you’ll be able to be an advisor to your spouse (see previous point).

4. Be present.

Does this mean that you need to be at church every time the doors are open? I don’t think so. This does mean that you need to be present emotionally and spiritually. And yes, sometimes physically at church. My wife and I understand that we are both busy and may not be at church everyday of the week. However, my wife knows if she needs me, and I’m able, I’ll be there.

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).

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