CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
Are You an Effective Teacher?
by Max Price
Good teachers come in all shapes and sizes, ages and personalities, but certain characteristics separate effective teachers from less effective ones. This section presents skills for which we may strive and in which we may improve.
Effective Teachers Have the Same Spiritual Goal
I suggest our spiritual goals be based on Jesus’ statements of the greatest commandments: "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.’ This is the first and most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, ‘Love others as much as you love yourself’" (Matt 22:37-39).
Goal One: Help children love God.
Goal Two: Help children love others and self.
Our approach to teaching children’s Sunday school will be based on the ages and needs of our children, but the overall goals will be the same for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children.
Effective Teachers Know Their Material—the Bible
You do not have to be a Bible scholar to teach children, but it is important that you study and know the biblical material you use in your lessons. Even if the story is familiar, make sure it is interesting and important to you. Study and prepare in order to demonstrate the importantance of this material is to you. When you prepare, you are able to share effectively the moral—the primary lesson the Scripture teaches us.
It is also important for children to memorize Scripture passages and stories. Most of the Bible that I know from memory I learned as a child prior to age twelve.
Effective Teachers Are Good Role Models
I like this quote from Josh Billings: "Train up a child in the way he should go—and walk there yourself once in a while."
A most powerful form of learning at both conscious and unconscious levels is imitation: learning by copying the behavior of significant role models. Children learn much from imitating adults and older children. Recall how many of your own mannerisms and habits were learned from observing your parents. For example, I am always completely dressed before I put on my socks and shoes. That is because I saw my Dad dress this way. I was an adult before I realized the reason I did this. I learned many of my other habits and mannerisms from watching what my parents and other significant adults did.
When you want your children to talk quieter, model soft talking. When you want your children to share, model it. When you want your children to sing joyfully, model it. When you want your children to learn to pray, model it. Children love to act like adults and older children they admire.
Effective Teachers Create an Environment for Learning
The classroom setting is child-friendly and inviting. When children walk into the room, they recognize it as a place created for them. The room arrangement says, "Come on in! Explore, play, enjoy. I’m glad you’re here."
The teacher’s body language, words, and actions convey to the children, "I’m here for you. This is your room. This is your time."
A friend of mine, Shrlyn, recalled a favorite teacher who made her classroom special. "In her class, we laughed a lot; we enjoyed being there; we were comfortable in her class. We developed a sense of togetherness from sharing in laughter and learning. It was our class; we belonged together. Our teacher created this wonderful atmosphere. We did not become disruptive or cause behavior problems. We were having so much fun." Shrlyn’s eyes sparkled as she recalled this teacher of thirty years ago.
From Help! I Teach Children's Sunday School.
For more tips on how to be an effective teacher, order Help! I Teach Children’s Sunday School from Smyth & Helwys Publishing at 1-800-747-3016 or online at www.helwys.com.
Additional tips include:
• Effective Teachers Form Attachments to Their Children
• Effective Teachers understand Their Children’s Developmental Levels
• Effective Teachers Recognize Children’s Different Areas of Cognitive Strength
• Effective Teachers Use Productive Teaching Methods
• Effective Teachers Call Forth Children’s Gifts
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