It is a privilege for us to partner with the parents in our spiritual family to care for our kids.
We train our volunteers to:
Listen to the Lord for them
Maintain a safe and kind environment
Have fun.
For All Children:
Pray
Volunteers are encouraged to pray before children arrive, something like the following:
"God, we ask for your peace and your presence to fill these children as we interact today. We believe that you created these children for your great purpose and we ask that you would help us encourage that purpose. You desire for these children to humbly walk in your power and authority to make a difference in their communities. We ask that these children would live like Jesus lived and do what Jesus did. We ask for your blessing on our time together. We want to see your glory through worship, healing, prayer, prophecy and your word. In Jesus' name, Amen!"
Positive Reinforcement
When children are being safe/kind, tell them “You are making such a safe choice! Way to go!” Encourage them, hug them, praise them, and let them know how valuable they are!
For Children 3 & Under
Repetition & Redirection:
Say to children, “We need to be kind and safe with others. That means our words and bodies need to be kind and safe.”
As children interact, ask the question “Are you being safe and kind?” Ask the child, “How do you think your friend feels when you take their toy away?” “What kind choice could we make?” “Why don’t we set a timer and when she’s done playing, then you can have a turn?”
Adults are talking and redirecting (repeatedly) as well as using #2 “Time Away”. Time away from the group allows the child to experience a natural consequence of their behavior and it keeps the rest of the children safe. (Grace, grace, grace!)
Always share with the parent afterwards the choices their child made, what you did to help the child make the right choice.
For Children 4 & Up:
Discussion with Children:
In your own words, here is the question volunteers should cover…
“Are you being safe and kind?”
SAFE
Safe: “When I say the word safe, what comes to your mind?”
Allow children to answer: “Yes, safe means we are protected, we’re not harmed or hurt etc.”
Unsafe: “Can you give me some examples of actions that are NOT safe?”
Allow children to answer: “Yes, when we choose to kick, hit, push, tackle etc., these are not safe choices.”
Safe: “What are some safe choices we can make?”
Allow children to answer: Volunteers give more examples/choices.
KIND:
Kind: “When I say the word kind, what comes to your mind?”
Allow children to answer. “Yes, safe means we say and do things that are loving, make others feel good, and the way we would want to be treated.”
Unkind: “Can you give me some examples of words and actions that are unkind?”
It doesn’t feel good when people are not kind to us so we want to treat others the way we want to be treated.
Communicate Expectations…Bring it back to the Word
“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.” Matthew 7:12
“The Lord loves us and He says our words and actions need to be kind and help others feel loved, safe, and valuable (taken care of).”
Have 2 children look up verses: Ephesians 4:29, Romans 14:19
“This is what the Lord is asking of us, but it’s our choice. It’s your choice.
If you make the choice to be unsafe and unkind this is what will happen.”
(Then read the "Consequences" section to them.)
Consequences
(These are to be calmly carried out with patience, love, and kindness.)
1st Time “Talk”: Ask the child, “Are you being safe and kind?”
Allow the child to answer the question and help them think through their words and actions.
Say to the child “If you make an unsafe/unkind choice again, you will be sitting out from the group for 5 minutes.”
2nd Time “Time Away”: Ask the child, “Are you being safe and kind?”
Allow the child to answer the question and help them think through their words and actions.
The child sits away from the group for 5 minutes. Say to the child, “If you make an unsafe/unkind choice again, you will sit with your parents for the rest of the gathering and you will not be able to participate with us.”
3rd Time “Removal”: Ask the child, “Are you being safe and kind?”
Allow them to answer, then say “I’m sorry you make this choice, you will be joining your parents for the remainder of the gathering”
Walk them to their parents. Say to the parent, “(child’s name) is having trouble making safe and kind choices and he/she will need to sit with you for the rest of the time. I am happy to talk with you about this afterwards.” (If the child refuses to come with you, go get the parent and make sure the parent knows this choice as well.)
Adults, you must be consistent and follow through every time!