Play! Listen! Talk!

By the end of a Sunday School class, I often feel like I’ve been talking the whole hour! Greeting kids, reassuring parents, telling the Bible story, giving children words to say when there’s a disagreement, answering questions—it always seems like there’s so much to be said!

I’ve recently realized that sometimes with all that talking, a child often tunes me out! So I’ve been thinking about how to choose my words wisely, learning to talk with a child, rather than always giving directions to him or her. Here are some tips that have helped me—maybe they will help you, too!
• Begin by listening. When I’m talking with a child, I try to focus my attention as though the child were the only one in the room. Not only because I really want to learn about the child, but also because I think the child will be a better listener when I want to talk.
• Let the child take the lead. I try not to be constantly talking—silence can be good! It gives a child the time and space to start a conversation, or to show me something. That’s a great opportunity for me to find out what the child’s interests are.
• Get the child’s attention before speaking. I know I’ve wasted lots of breath saying things when no one was listening! So instead of talking with a child from across the room, I go to where the child is and get my face at the child’s eye level.
• Give specific instructions. I like to help a child know exactly what to do when I give directions. Instead of saying something general such as “Put the toys away,” I might say “The puzzles need to go back on the shelf.” (And for an older child who is familiar with our class routines, I might ask, “Where do the puzzles need to go?”)

And I’ve learned the hard way not to ask a question or offer a choice when there really isn’t a choice. “Collin, will you put away the blocks?” leaves the child open to saying “No.” Better to say: “Collin, moms and dads will be here soon. What do you need to do with your truck?”

The things I’m talking about on Sundays are more than just good information. I’m talking to kids about Jesus and how to follow Him. It’s the reason I want “to be prepared in season and out of season” (see 2 Timothy 4:2) to speak wise words.