HOW TO CRUSH KID MIN(istry):

Creating a Positive Class Environment

Explain the class rules each week:

Children do well when they know what is expected of them. Keep the classroom structure similar from week to week. Having a predictable routine helps kids cope with an environment and understand appropriate behavior. Make eye contact when speaking to the children.

Focus on the positive:

Children often learn by modeling behavior. Try, for example, ‘I love the way Sarah is sitting quietly with her hands in her lap. Wonderful!’ The other children will follow quickly in hopes of being praised in the same way. Praising kids rewards positive behavior and reinforces it for the entire class. Try to redirect the child if they are doing something they shouldn’t be doing.

Make things fun!

For younger classes, instead of going into things like clean up time with a negative approach, such as ‘I’m sorry, but we have to put away the toys now...’ try addressing with a positive spin. ‘Ok, kids. I have a mission for you: do you think we can have all these toys put away in two minutes?’ Or singing the Clean Up song is a fun way to begin and encourage the clean-up routine. Don’t offer too many activity choices for kids. Switch out the toys so kids do not become bored.

You should never yell at a child.

Calmly speak on their level, look them in the eye, and make sure they are listening to what you say. If appropriate, have them repeat back what you just said. Do not discipline a child from across the room; go to the child and pull them aside.