AVOIDING A HOSTILE TAKE OVER IN

AVOIDING A HOSTILE TAKE OVER IN YOUR PRESCHOOL CLASS

by Andrea Callison

There’s no way to determine how long an activity will take. Perhaps the activity was far easier or harder than anticipated. But when the agenda runs short and the session marches on, it’s important to have an alternate plan to keep your head above water. Consider using the following ideas to begin or enrich your backup arsenal of last-minute ideas.

1. Set the Moment to Music

Sing songs during class. Sing Sunday School songs preschoolers and kindergartners enjoy that relate to the lesson. Use the motions learned with the song or make up motions as a class.

2. Praise Parade

Line up and march around the room. Say the unit Bible verse or sing songs from the lesson as young children march. Use rhythm instruments or wave streamers if desired.

3. Move Over Mona Lisa

Pass out white construction paper and crayons. Encourage young children to draw a picture from the Bible story. Hang the pictures in the classroom or in the hall for others to see.

4. Please Be a Copy Cat

Ask preschoolers and kindergartners to stand in a circle. Stand in the middle of the circle, and encourage children to do what you do. Use ideas from the Bible story, songs, or activities used in class.

5. Take Two

Retell the Bible story using the same methods used earlier in the class.

6. Spring Cleaning

Encourage young children to help straighten areas of the classroom needing special attention. Assign children special jobs and praise their efforts. Use conversation to relate what they are doing to the lesson purpose.

7. Looking Back

Encourage preschoolers and kindergartners to take turns sharing one thing that happened in the class. Begin by saying, We’ve had a great day. Who can tell me one thing we did during class? Anything that happened during class is acceptable. Possible answers might include what was eaten at snack time, that crayons were used during craft time, or a special visitor told the Bible story.

8. And the Winner Is

Settle young children in a circle on the floor. Announce to preschoolers and kindergartners each of them has won an award. Award each child a sticker and a special reason why he or she is getting the sticker. For example, [Luke], today you were a great helper. Other reasons include great cleaner-upper, great listener, great Bible-bringer, and great nice-talker.

9. Let’s Review

Retell the Bible story. Use different methods and Bible story aids than used earlier in the class. Encourage preschoolers and kindergartners to remember and tell what happens next in the story.

10. Let’s Talk it Over

Sit with young children in a circle on the floor. Encourage each child to share one item of interest with the group. Anything the child wishes to share is acceptable for this discussion. Be ready to make this a teachable moment by thanking God, requesting God’s help, or pointing out that God is with us in every situation. This type of social activity builds Christian community and is never wasted time!