Hundreds of years ago, Sunday Schools were the only means of education for poor children. They were often forced to work, so they didn’t have time for school during the week. Groups of attendees were formed around the local churches on Sundays. Then the children learned to read, calculate, express themselves, and about the faith.
See the following source for more information on the history of Sunday Schools: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunday_school
Today, the purpose of Sunday Schools has remained relatively the same. Students are no longer just children from poor families. Anyone who wants to learn about Christianity and the Bible can join. In this way, the literacy of the youngest is expanded, their knowledge of the church and customs is improved, and socialization is encouraged.
The great thing about these institutions is that they teach children the faith at their level of understanding. Teachers in Sunday Schools should follow religious lecturing but in a kid-friendly manner. That is why they often have to be very resourceful if they want these activities to be enjoyable to the youngest ones.
Make Kid-Friendly Environment
As soon as they hear the word school, many children have a slight aversion because they imagine a plain room that resembles a ‘real school. While this item may seem superficial to you, it’s actually very helpful to make a kid-friendly space where you will learn about faith and the church.
Start from the room itself. It’s good to be painted in cheerful colors, with posters that show some moments from the Bible in a fun way. Provide plenty of natural light, and vent the room frequently. It is very important to create a pleasant atmosphere so that students can focus on learning.
Every now and then, make some simple changes that will be interesting to children. For example, change the chairs’ layout or draw something interesting on the board before class. You can even get a dummy, like the ones in the boutiques, and dress it differently for every class. One week turn it into a shepherd, the next a sage, and so on.
Use Images and Music to Your Favor
Kids love music and singing along. So you can use this fact to your advantage. Prepare a class where the young attendees have to sing along with what is being taught. Songs are one of the best ways for kids to remember the lesson, as they enjoy singing along.
These lyrics have to be joyful, meaningful and to teach about the stories behind the stories. Also, you can add some music and dance moves. Encourage kids to participate. That will make Sunday school lessons even more memorable for your little students.
Pictures and short stories are great ways to have lessons that the kids can relate to and enjoy. Images make it easier to connect the task with the actual characters and events from the Bible. You can even prepare a PowerPoint presentation as an excellent way to get the kids involved in the lessons.
You don’t have to use religious pictures only. Sure, you can have posters of Jesus Christ with angels or Moses with messages from God. But you can also use photos of the kids at weddings, baptisms, or other special occasions related to the church. These can be an excellent way to introduce specific lessons about the importance of marriage, religious rituals, etc.
Have Interactive Lessons
You might think that Sunday school is not the best time and place for games due to the seriousness of the subject being taught. But that is exactly what gives you a chance to be creative and bring this ‘serious’ topic closer to children in a way that they understand best – through play, laughter, songs, etc.
The lessons in Sunday school can be given in a fun and memorable manner. For example, doing cosplay is an excellent idea of having an interactive class. You can check Worship Woodworks Inc for more interesting stories on Jesus and other Bible characters. You might need the help of few more adults, or you could simply make a short play with kids. They’ll enjoy it.
You can even invite some guest lecturers. These can be parents or even grandparents of your students. It’s even better if they are somewhat related to the lesson you teach that week.
Games are also crucial for making Sunday school fun. They should be played repeatedly, but you have to make a twist for each class. For example, if you start your lesson with a quiz or trivia, make sure you come up with interesting questions and answer explanations every time.
Involve Parents
Sunday Schools are not just about mere theory. You can organize some activities for your students that have to do with faith and the church, but also with secular life. For example, it’s a great idea to have workshops in which parents will also participate. These can be woodworking, sports, making cakes, and all kinds of parent-kids activities.
These should be exciting, and teaching tools and materials should encourage learning. Parents should not be afraid to use tools they personally use or are familiar with. The difference is that they have to involve their youngsters, too. That way, kids can also relate the lessons to their lives, and they will feel a sense of accomplishment when they complete the activity.
Parents can use arts and crafts to help children remember the lessons and feel accomplished. The kids will also have fun while learning. These mutual activities will surely help the parents bond with their children.
Make Your Little Students Feel Important
Always choose your Sunday school lessons according to the age level. Here are some tips on how to prepare for your class. After teaching, you should encourage the kids to ask questions and discuss what they’ve learned that day. That will make them feel important and hungry for more knowledge.
Sunday Schools can be more enjoyable if they have all kinds of interactive activities that will keep their attention. Learning about faith is as easy as that! Providing the right atmosphere and encouraging the kids to participate will have them attend Sunday school fully enthusiastic.
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