Common Characteristics

What This Says To The Teacher

One of the easiest groups to lead to Christ

Provide times for the children to respond to the message of Jesus Christ.

Have good memories

Teach the Bible. Help them develop good Bible reading habits. Use the Bible Fact Pak. Keep your promises to them.

Trust God

Find ways to strengthen trust. Involve students in activities that will help them learn about God.

Eight-Year-Olds

Interested in Bible stories and characters

Let them do research into biblical subjects. Use drama and role-play. Show them ways to study the Bible. Use Bible games to reinforce the lesson.

Need help understanding some biblical terms

Explain terms such as grace, sin, and salvation using simple terminology. Keep a Bible dictionary in the classroom.

Need guidance in finding Christ as Savior

Explain salvation. Provide opportunities for children to accept Christ.

Practical in their approach to the Bible. Ask questions.

Speak plainly and simply. When they ask questions answer truthfully. If you do not know, say so.

Nine-Year-Olds

Enjoy attending Sunday School

Make every child feel welcome. Keep the class interesting to encourage a positive attitude towards the church.

Relate Bible stories to their own life experiences

Give personal application with lessons. Ask them to give examples also.

Can work together on projects

Involve them in specific assignments and class projects. Praise good work.

Can participate in deeper worship experiences

Teach proper worship practices and allow time for questions. Provide worship experiences in the classroom.

Common Characteristics

What This Says To The Teacher

Friends are important

Find ways of involving everyone in class with each other. Try to develop good self-esteem in each pupil.

Strong sense of fairness and justice

Treat each child equally. Show what the Bible says about how we should treat others. Show that God is fair and just.

Sensitive to criticism

Void criticism of individuals. When correction is needed always talk to the individual alone.

Eight-Year-Olds

Will attempt to place blame on others

Show them the wrongness of placing blame on others for something they choose to do.

Can accept responsibilities

Give them a chance to d things for you. Your trust will do much for the children and your effectiveness with them.

Group approval is important

Encourage the children to accept each other and visitors in your class. Provide opportunities for children to get to know each other.

Developing interest in people

A study of real-life missionary characters and biblical heroes will help to satisfy this need. Use Boys and Girls Missionary Crusade materials.

Nine-Year-Olds

Judge fairness and discipline by both their own and the group's standard

Be aware of what the group thinks but do not compromise biblical standards.

Like to be trusted

Trust them to do things they say.

More competitive as group members than as individuals

When planning competitive activities involve the whole group.

Not dependent on praise. Will do something because they want to do it

Thank and praise them. Some need more incentives than a pat on the back.

Common Characteristics

What This Says To The Teacher

Full of Energy

Take advantage of this energy by using suck methods as role play, drama, Bible games, or active choruses.

Need opportunity to move

Use a variety of short-length activities. Include quiet as well as active projects. Vary your presentations (quiet, active, quiet, etc.). Give opportunity for movement. Maximum activity length should be no longer than 15 minutes.

Eight-Year-Olds

Good eye-hand coordination

With the ability to do more detailed work, you can plan smaller handwork projects.

Healthier than 6- or 7-year olds

Expect good attendance records

Enjoys organized games

Use team games to increase learning and express previous achievement. Have clear simple rules.

Prefers tag to toys

Would rather be up and running than sitting with handwork or toys. Plan movement into every lesson.

Nine-Year-Olds

Like to make lists

Try some biblical lists, perhaps as homework. Check interest level before assigning such projects.

Release tension through movement, biting nails, or running fingers through hair

Allow them to stretch. Movement is a 9-year-old's way of coping with growing pains. His muscles need to stretch.

Dependable and responsible

Trust them. Give them responsibility in your classroom.

Like to show their skillfulness

Invite others to see their work. Use their abilities during class time.

Common Characteristics

What This Says To The Teacher

Curious

Bring things to class they can touch and examine. A nature center or special table set aside for investigating objects can be useful in the Middler classroom. Be sure to answer their questions.

Limited concepts of time and distance

Explain new concepts or terms. Use pictures when possible. Be patient. Use language they can understand.

Limited vocabularies

Explain new words. Question to see if they understand what you said.

Eight-Year-Olds

More mature mentally

Lead them in memorizing Scripture verses and doing Bible research.

Eager to learn

Let them participate in class projects.

Creativity is at its peak

Give opportunity for creative expression.

Read well

They can read in class. Encourage them to carry on daily private devotions.

Learning games interest them

Provide games as a means of reviewing the lesson. Games can also be used to help with the memory verse.

Interested in facts and true stories

Do not exaggerate stories. Allow children to research biblical facts.

Nine-Year-Olds

Seeking for self-identity and look to adults for role models

They look to see if what they are being taught is being lived by the teacher.

Ready to tackle anything

Give them opportunities to succeed.

Likes details and unusual information

Encourage them to read the Bible and learn its facts. Junior Bible Quiz will help meet this need. Listen to what they say and use it to your advantage.

Watch a lot of television and listen to the radio

They are aware of world events, but cannot always process information received through the media. Fears arise from this.

Common Characteristics

What That Says To The Teacher

Need adult assurance and recognition

The teacher needs to become sensitive to the needs of each child. Offer praise for things well-done.

Complainers

Listen to each child and hear what he says. Provide encouragement. Act upon those feelings and ideas that a child shares.

Eight-Year-Olds

Resent being bossed

Ask rather than order them to do something. Let them make choices.

Critical of themselves

Give honest encouragement.

Want to do things for themselves

Allow them to do for themselves. It will be hard at times for you, but they need to discover their own capabilities.

Nine-Year-Olds

Are big worriers

Listen to what they are worried about. Try to help them. Let them know Jesus can help them with their problems, both real and imagined.

Relatively easy to discipline

They know when they have done wrong. Accept their apology and don't overreact.

May hate something but will do it anyway

Encourage them to try new things. Praise them for good work.

Curious

Provide them a variety of things to do, touch, and make.

Change in mood and attitude quickly

Wait a while before you react. Accept them as they are.