Common Characteristics

What This Says To The Teacher

Six-Year-Olds

Believe God loves them and helps care for them

Encourage them to believe in God

Jesus is their friend and helper

Let children tell about Jesus and how He has helped them.

Have a knowledge of right and wrong but not necessarily for them

Talk to them about how right and wrong applies to everyone. Use Scripture verses whenever possible.

Have great faith

Encourage their faith by letting them pray and testify about answered prayer.

Seven-Year-Olds

There is a vagueness as to what is right and wrong

Explain right and wrong from a biblical standard. Allow them to read these Scripture passages for themselves.

Jesus is their friend

Be a Christlike friend to them as well.

Enjoy familiar Bible stories

Do not be afraid to repeat a story. Let children role-play stories.

Like to play Bible games

Use Bible games to reinforce materials being studied.

Like to read easy Bible verses and passages

Let them read simple Scripture passages relating to the lesson.

Common Characteristics

What This Says To The Teacher

Want approval and praise

Give praise and attention for the good.

Want to belong to the "group"

Let them know they are part of your class. Involve children in group settings.

Talk to impress adults

Listen to what they say. Use conversation by relating it to the lesson.

Sensitive to what others think about them

Avoid criticizing in front of classmates. Talk to student privately and in love.

Six-Year-Olds

Like to be first

Explain reason for taking turns as well as the responsibility of being the leader.

Is just learning to work with others

Use small group activities in which they can learn to work with others.

Like to be boss

Discourage bossy attitudes. Lead into constructive activities. Be firm, and mean what you say.

Often wants to do many things at once

Allow them to make one choice at a time, then stick with it until finished

Like to talk

Listen! You may be one of the few adults who listen to the child.

Seven-Year-Olds

Critical of themselves

Avoid criticism. Stress positive things.

Exaggerate

Sort out fact from fantasy. Use what is said to help teach biblical truth.

Are self-centered

Help them to reach beyond themselves and to work with others.

Want to make friends

Encourage them to meet classmates. Use class socials to build friendships.

Play a variety of roles

Provide opportunities for self-expression.

Common Characteristics

What This Says To The Teacher

Full of energy

Take advantage of this by using methods such as drama, role-playing, Bible games, activity choruses, etc.

Restless

Provide a variety of short activities, interspersed with quiet times. Activity length should be about 10-15 minutes.

Tire easily

Avoid long detailed stories and activities. Take time out to rest.

Six-Year-Olds

Enjoy using their hands

Provide activities where they can use their hands. Art activities and finger plays are good choices.

Cannot do small detailed work

Do not expect them to complete small detailed or complicated work. Keep all handwork simple.

Enjoy active play and games

Provide fun games that increase learning. Incorporate clear, simple rules.

Lack of well-developed eye-hand coordination

Do not expect perfection.

Seven-Year-Olds

Better coordination of small muscle

Children can do smaller work but still lack the skills to do complicated details.

Need adventure

Use stories that trigger imagination. Special guests, socials, or trips can add adventure to the routine.

Need to achieve and do

Choose activities that can be done without direct adult assistance.

Like to use their hands

Provide positive, constructive activities in which they can use their hands.

Common Characteristics

What This Says To The Teacher

Concrete thinkers

Avoid the abstract and symbolic

Live in the present

Children are concerned about what is happening now and not the future.

Have a short attention span

You need to change activities frequently to hold their attention.

Curious

Do not put anything in the classroom they can't touch or handle.

Limited concept of time, space, and distance

Difficulty relating past and future. May confuse characters and events.

Six-Year-Olds

Learn through activities

Provide a variety of things for them to do. Everything should relate to the lesson.

Have a hard time choosing what to do.

Give them a limited variety of options. Once they have chosen something, make sure they stick with it.

Needs honest encouragement

Provide them with encouragement based on truth. Do not exaggerate.

Likes to do things for himself

Give 6-year-olds a chance to do things for themselves.

Do not understand the importance of rules

Teach them from the Bible that some rules are meant for everyone.

Seven-Year-Olds

Evaluate conduct by what others are doing

Set standards appropriate for everyone.

Are very creative

Provide activities that encourage creativity and allow it to be exercised.

Enjoy reading

Provide class and individual opportunities for them to read.

Perfectionists

When they "fail," explain it is important to do our best even if it is not perfect.

Want to be accepted by peers

Encourage them to be part of your class. Reinforce positive peer experiences.

Common Characteristics

What This Says To The Teacher

Needs assurance that he is loved

They need to know you love them. An occasional hug or handshake is in order. Listen to them. Let them know you care.

Sensitive to criticism

Avoid hollering or severe criticism in any form. Look for opportunities to give them praise.

Six-Year-Olds

Lack self-control

Unwritten but understood class rules will help the 6-year-old control himself.

Easily discouraged

Avoid long or difficult activities. Remember they cannot read well.

Feelings change quickly

Taking time out or waiting a few minutes can make all the difference when ministering to a 6-year-old.

Go to pieces in the face of frustration or disappointment

Avoid disappointing circumstances. Encourage rather than criticize.

Seven-Year-Olds

Retreat or a desire to run away is the favored method of dealing with difficulties

Help them learn they cannot run away from problems. Show them that God is present to help in time of trouble or difficulty. Give them encouragement.

May have imaginary or real fears

Let them know God takes care of them.

Try to avoid new or different situations

Do not continually introduce new methodology. Provide a variety of the old interspersed with the new.

Try to be independent but are afraid of making mistakes

Praise them when they succeed. Guide them when you know they are wrong. Do not criticize.

Often boast or exaggerate

Accept what they say but kindly let them know they are exaggerating.