Real Men Aren’t Afraid to Carry Bibles by G.G. Mathis

November 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment

This post is part of our monthly series encouraging leaders and parents of preteens. You’ll find more information and a great curriculum at the FLYTE blog. 

IMG_1613
source: giratikanon

Kelton’s parents gave him a Bible for his eleventh birthday, four months ago. He’s never taken it out of the box.

Jaden brings his Bible to church, slams it on the table, and sits the rest of the hour with his arms crossed.

Barrett, certain he won’t need it at home, leaves his Bible at church on Sundays.

Hang around preteen boys at church, and you’ll discover that these behaviors, though undesirable, are not uncommon.  You have a unique opportunity to help boys (and girls) recognize the value of God’s Word. Here’s how:

Use navigational aids. Remember that some of your preteens are new to church, and a thick book arranged in neither alphabetical nor numerical order is hard to navigate. Assure boys, “It’s always OK to use the table of contents!” Frequently and briefly review the significance of chapter and verse numbers.

Use Bibles every session. Technology makes it possible for teachers to flash verses on a screen, use search engines to find them, or spit out a printout of a Bible passage. Don’t forget to encourage preteens to experience the Bible the traditional way—hands-on and minds on! (You can add technological techniques as kids improve in Bible-handling expertise.)

Use affirmation. Privately recognize boys who bring their own Bibles to church. Encourage them to show you what Bible translation they are using, as well as the maps, dictionaries, or other study helps it contains. As time and conversation permit, explain which study helps are your favorites and why.

Use natural preteen curiosity. How do you get boys to use their Bibles in between Sundays? Trick them, of course! Bait boys with bits and bites of Bible stories about heroes, battles, spies, and God’s supernatural power. Tell enough of the story to pique their interest, then tell boys where they can read the rest.

Use your Bible! Let boys see you carrying, reading, and respecting your Bible. Tell them about meaningful passages you read and how they helped you make it through a tough week. Keep up the habit of marking and memorizing Scriptures and sharing them with preteens when you teach.

What suggestions do you have for making preteens excited about the Bible?  

G.G. Mathis teaches preteens at Forest Park Baptist Church in Joplin, Missouri.

Filed Under: School-Age Kids Tagged With: , , , ,

Halloween Safety

October 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment

If you do participate in Halloween, here are some tips we originally published in 2009. Have a good night, whatever you’re doing!

Pumpkin Festival
source: nates_pics

Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids, and to help ensure they have a safe holiday, here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

All Dressed Up

  • Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement, or contact with flame.
  • Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and Trick-or-Treat bags for greater visibility.
  • Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes.
  • When shopping for costumes, wigs, and accessories look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.
  • If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child’s costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.
  • Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.
  • Teach children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost.

Carve a Niche

  • Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers.  Then parents can do the cutting.
  • Votive candles are safest for candle-lit pumpkins.
  • Candle-lit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects, and should never be left unattended.

Home Safe Home

  • To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes, and lawn decorations.
  • Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.
  • Wet leaves should be swept from sidewalks and steps.
  • Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.

On the Trick-or-Treat Trail

  • A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.
  • If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.
  • Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.
  • Because pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween, remind Trick-or Treaters:
    1. Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.
    2. Carry a cell phone for quick communication.
    3. Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.
    4. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.
    5. Never cut across yards or use alleys.
    6. Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom). Never cross between parked cars or out driveways.
    7. Don’t assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn’t mean others will!
  • Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

Healthy Halloween

  • A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.
  • Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils.
  • Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped, or suspicious items.
  • Try to ration treats for the days following Halloween.

© 10/09 American Academy of Pediatrics

For even more safety tips, to send these tips to a friend, or to download them in Spanish, visit http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/octhalloween.cfm.

Filed Under: School-Age Kids Tagged With: , , ,

Trends & Truth Online: What’s Too Scary for Kids? by Mike Nappa

October 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

ghost-pumpkin_mod
source: xerhino

It’s October! And during the Halloween season, everyone loves a good scare—especially children. But how can you tell what’s too scary for your kids? Clinical psychologist, Dr. Laurel Basbas, offers a little advice.

 

T&TO: What’s your perspective on “harmless fright entertainment” for kids 12 and under?

Basbas: In my view, there is no harmless horror. Horror, fright, scary movies; all depend on igniting the ANS (autonomic nervous system) so that the child (or person) reacts with an automatic adrenaline surge. Unfortunately the horror industry banks on the fact that terror is exciting (literally the ANS goes into an excited state). They bank on creating “adrenaline junkies” (people and children that love the high of the excited ANS). Allowing kids to think of the “fright response” as fun, without educating them as to its effects and the inherent dangers, can leave them vulnerable to pursuing the adrenaline rush through whatever means they can find.

Having said that, children will seek a scary story or experience to master anxiety. Facing fears in small manageable doses can be of benefit, allowing the child to learn that s/he can overcome anxieties. In small, short doses, a child faces fears and realizes he can survive the scary moment or experience.

 

T&TO: Why do kids crave fright entertainment?

Basbas: It is “cool” to like what their peers like. They [also] crave the adrenal rush.

Another reason kids crave fright is the need to master anxiety. As I mentioned earlier, facing fears in small, manageable doses, is helpful. To hear a scary story or see a scary show and survive does help the child. He feels, “I am OK, I can live through a fearful experience.”

 

T&TO: What’s too scary for kids?

Basbas: It takes a discerning parent to really read their child correctly. Kids usually do not have the discernment to know what scares them, and they may not want to admit they are afraid. No shows that scare either parent’s “inner child” can be a good gauge. Lots of adults don’t want to be scared.

For the kids that feel frightened by the [October] media deluge, teach the younger ones the difference between what is pretend and what is real. Reassure them that the witches, monsters, wolves, ghosts, etc. are pretend and will not become alive to harm them. Pray with them, reading scriptures that promise protection from evil. Psalm 91 is always encouraging, and can provide wonderful discussion about God’s care.

 

T&TO: What’s the best way for a Christian parent respond to kid-centric fright media during Halloween?

Basbas: Family activity where kids count on the stability and protection of parents helps with any activity. No scary movies without parents present, so there can be a healthy discussion with mom and dad later. Essentially if the entertainment has a redemptive purpose, like the Tolkien series, and the parents use the material to have discussions, it can be instructive.

 

Have a pop culture question for Trends & Truths? Email it to parentlife@lifeway.com!

***

Mike Nappa is a bestselling author, a noted commentator on pop culture, and founder of the website for parents, FamilyFans.com.

Filed Under: Everyday Parenting, School-Age Kids Tagged With: , , , ,

An Elective Education: Teaching Your Preteen about Citizenship by GG Mathis

October 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

ballot

This season, if preteens aren’t hearing political messages on TV, they are seeing them plastered on bus stops, yard signs, t-shirts, and Internet banner ads. You can use campaign season as a teaching tool to help your preteen understand what the Bible teaches about Christian citizenship.

Let your preteen know what the Bible says about citizenship. During your family Bible time—or at any other appropriate moment—share these Scriptures with your preteen:

You must not blaspheme God or curse a leader among your people. Exodus 22:28 (HCSB)

Then He said to them, “Therefore give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Matt 22:21 (HCSB)

Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God. Romans 13:1 (HCSB)

Use a searchable Bible study site or concordance to find other Scriptures about government and citizenship.

Let your preteen see your good example. Register to vote and do so. Invite your preteen to accompany you to the polls. Pay your taxes and explain how local, state, and government entities use the funds—especially in ways that benefit your community. As you have opportunity, involve your family in beneficial community events.

Let your preteen know where you stand. As local and state issues arise for voter approval, explain how you intend to vote and why. Encourage your preteen to ask questions and to express her thoughts on candidates, issues, and elections. Begin now to prepare your preteen to be an informed, ethical, thinking voter.

Let your preteen hear you pray for your nation. Paul urged Christians to pray diligently for “for kings and all those who are in authority” (1 Timothy 2:2). He reminded his readers that God wants all people to be saved and follow His truth—sovereigns, senators, and school boards. Many of us are guilty of complaining about our leaders instead of praying for them. As a family and on your own, ask God to bless, guide, and transform our nation’s leaders.

GG Mathis loves her family, writing, kids (especially preteens), and tea! She is a mom and wife in Joplin, Missouri, when her family endured the deadly tornado that wrecked their town in 2011.

 

LifeWay is MORE than excited about our new curriculum for preteens, FLYTE. If you’re looking for some great topics to touch on with your preteen group, go watch this video and then consider learning some more about FLYTE.

Photo used with permission of Flickr Creative Commons. Click on photo for source.

Filed Under: School-Age Kids

The Real New Year by Erica Pearson

September 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Row of backpacks

 

When most people hear the term new year, they picture funny hats, noise makers, and a big shiny mirror ball that falls when the clock strikes midnight. For the educators and parents of the world, the term new year brings pictures of supply lists, new backpacks, and a big yellow bus dropping off excited kids. 

 
The beauty of the school calendar is that every year provides a fresh start full of brand-new opportunities. Each year brings different needs, but a few essentials stay the same: communication and prayer. These two tips can be applied to your child’s school year experience, no matter what grade she is entering. 
 
Communication
The main challenge of an academic new year is not in keeping resolutions, but rather in communicating with the ones who help to make each school year successful. When sending your child off to school, keeping in touch with your child’s teacher is the key to unlocking the potential each school year holds, both socially and academically for your child.  
 
There is a common misconception that the older the child, the less a parent should be involved; however, nothing could be farther from the truth. If you know your child has difficulty in a certain area, such as organization, let the teacher know ahead of time and, when possible, give a list of suggestions of things that have helped your child in the past.
 
Let your child’s teacher know the best way to communicate with you, whether via email or a personal phone call. In return, contact the teacher in the method she most prefers, as well. Most teachers do not have during the day to check voice mail or chat on the phone, and so they can better communicate through quick emails.   
 
Prayer
The first step in achieving an open line of communication begins with prayer. Designate a day of the week that you will pray for your child’s teacher. First Thessalonians 5:11 reminds us to “encourage one another and build each other up.” Teaching is a challenging profession that often faces scrutiny and leaves teachers feeling under-appreciated. Encouraging and positive words help build a relationship where both parties feel respected and can communicate about the tough issues when the time comes.
 
Remember to start each year with a clean slate, being careful not to compare teachers, children, and experiences. Thank God for the growth that your child experiences each year and anticipate another wonderful school year!
 
Erica Pearson is a 2nd grade teacher in Wilson County, Tennessee.  She feels teaching is a true calling and is proud to be living out her lifelong dream of being an educator.   
 
Photo used with permission of Flickr Creative Commons. Click on photo for source.
Filed Under: School-Age Kids

Dealing with Bullies by Felicia Thomas

September 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Felicia Thomas wrote the article "Middle School Madness" in the September 2012 ParentLife. There she outlined how to avoid bullying; here, she talks about what to do if it happens anyway.

 

Lockers

 

Teach your child to do the following if he experiences bullying

  • Avoid areas where bullies hang out. Navigate the hallways of the middle school with friends and avoid routes that pass through bully territory.
  • Ignore the bully. If a bully tries to bother your child, tell him to walk away to an area with more kids and adult supervision.
  • Stand up to the bully. Sometimes walking away fails to work. Teach your child to de-escalate the situation by turning the insult into a joke or being nice to the bully. If this does not work, your child should confront the bully by looking the bully in the eye, speaking up, and telling them to leave them alone. Practice this at home with your child.
  • Tell someone right away. If your child is bullied, encourage him to tell a teacher or administrator right away.

Has your child experienced bullying? What is your advice to parents about it?

Photo used with permission of Flickr Creative Commons. Click on photo for source. 

Filed Under: School-Age Kids

A Quantum Leap: From Preteen to Student by GG Mathis

September 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

First day of sixth grade

 

Depending on the age-grouping plan at your church, your preteen may be on the brink of an astronomical jump from a self-contained children’s area to the “great big black hole”  of the youth/student area. If the thought of throwing your tiny sixth grader into a middle school department with eighth graders the size of Jupiter makes you queasy, know you aren’t alone! 

 
Here is a handful of hints to help launch your preteen successfully into your church’s youth/student ministry: 
 
Be familiar. Well before transition time, get acquainted with your student pastor. Check your church calendar for upcoming youth events, especially those engineered for middle school or junior high. Find out who will be teaching your preteen, introduce yourself, and don’t be embarrassed to ask what happens on a typical Sunday. (Familiarity with upcoming events will help you set boundaries for activities, such as no-sleep lock-ins, that your preteen may not be physically ready for.) 
 
Be positive. Once you know what’s happening “up on the youth floor,” talk it up to your preteen. Preview upcoming activities with a “Hey! Guess what you get to do!” point of view. Make a special effort to include your preteen and your family in the first get-acquainted fellowships of the year. 
 
Be available. Volunteer to assist at events, bring goodies, or—they’ll love you for this one—teach a Bible study class! Your student leaders will love you for it. Even if you aren’t teaching your preteen’s grade or group, your participation and availability can help him feel a little less alien when surrounded by older students.  
 
Be in prayer. Your preteen is in for a wild ride over the next few years. Physical, spiritual, and emotional challenges will assault her at astronomical speed. Your church’s student ministry can be a docking station for her to connect with Christian peers, caring adults, and her loving Heavenly Father. Pray for the student ministry staff and volunteers who will serve as “mission control.”

 

GG Mathis loves her family, writing, kids (especially preteens), and tea! She is a mom and wife in Joplin, Missouri, when her family endured the deadly tornado that wrecked their town in 2011.

 

LifeWay is MORE than excited about our new curriculum for preteens, FLYTE.  If you’re looking for some great topics to touch on with your preteen group, go watch this video and then consider learning some more about FLYTE. 

 

Photo used with permission of Flickr Creative Commons. Click on photo for source.

Filed Under: School-Age Kids

Taking FLYTE This Fall?

August 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 LifeWay is very excited to introduce our new preteen curriculum, FLYTE. This was designed for preteens and with their input. 

 

Subscribers may need to click through to the post to see video.

FLYTE is an undated curriculum, which means you can do the books in any order and they won’t go out-of-print like a quarterly. Each unit has 13 sessions, each with video, topics, and fun add-ons, as well as a plethora of leader materials and books.

We hope FLYTE will make teaching this age group – who say they’re not "in between anything!" – a little simpler and a lot more fun.

What do you think about teaching preteens at your church? How are their needs different?

 

Filed Under: School-Age Kids

Getting a Great School Picture

August 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The beginning of the school year means school picture time is probably drawing close again. Here are ten tips from Linda Russell, the CEO of Mugshots.

Johnny Compton - Vintage 1944 School Portrait

  1. Avoid hats. Photographers will often remove for the shoot and then the child is left with “hat head.”
  2. Parents should stay away. Children are more natural when no one is watching — that means you, Mom, peeking around the corner!
  3. Don’t practice poses with your child. Let the photographer unlock their natural expressions, not cheesy grins they’ve rehearsed for hours.
  4. For boys, the best bet is a collared shirt that compliments their eyes and hair. Small patterns or solids are best. Avoid words, superheroes, and pop culture images on T-shirts.
  5. Ironing your child’s collar in the morning will make a big difference in those head shots.
  6. For girls, avoid spaghetti straps. They tend to hang low and if it is chilly, the goose bumps on their arms show.
  7. A gap tooth or braces are beautiful. Let them shine. Don’t have kids keep their mouth closed — show off the smile!
  8. For eyeglasses, non-reflective lenses are best. Feel free to ask the photographer to shoot a photo with and without the glasses to see which you prefer.
  9. Schedule a haircut at least 10 days ahead of photo day.
  10. Ponytails are great with barrettes or hairpins to manage fly-aways.

Did you have a favorite or least favorite school picture? In my favorite, I’m wearing a pink sweater with cows and have a side ponytail, but I look happy! In my least favorite, I’m wearing a paisley-print dress and refusing to show my buck teeth. (See #7…) — Jessie 

Photo used with permission of Flickr Creative Commons.

Originally published September 2010. 

 

Filed Under: School-Age Kids

Small Helpings for Busy Families

August 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Pencils? Check. Notebooks? Check. Concentration? Check.

As parents stock up on school supplies, there are three they should not overlook: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Countless studies have shown the important role healthy meals play in keeping kids focused and alert in the classroom. It’s simple: kids who are hungry are not hungry to learn.

Of course, getting kids dressed and out the door with a healthy breakfast in their tummy and a healthy lunch in their backpack is no easy task. Now parents can turn to Small Helpings, a new online meal planning service, for help.

 

Small Helpings menuIn addition to having access to 1,400 kid-tested recipes with vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free options, Small Helpings subscribers receive a weekly meal plan plus shopping list for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with recipes that can be prepared in 15 minutes or less.  Featuring seasonal dishes such as Orange Cranberry Pork Loin and tasty lunchbox options like Chicken Salad with Chutney and Apples, the menu plan can make a big difference at the table and in the classroom. 

“When kids are in school, every meal counts. Breakfast sets the day in motion, lunch keeps the momentum going and dinner (or an emergency snack) needs to be at the ready when the kids return home, ravenous,” said Brenda Khoury, Ohio mom and Small Helpings founder. “Parents are relieved to get 15 meals + 10 snacks in their inbox every week.” 

The subscription is $8.99 month, less than the cost of delivery pizza, and can help families save both time and money. “With a categorized shopping list in your hand, a trip to the grocery store becomes a breeze. It also helps cut down on down on expensive impulse purchases or even more expensive take-out. My family started saving $35 a month just by planning out meals,” said Khoury.

“The idea of helping families enjoy a healthy meal while recounting a successful school day makes me incredibly happy,” said Khoury.

 

image.pngSmall Helpings is a kid-friendly meal planning service for the entire family.  Based in New Albany, OH, the subscription service provides five days of customized menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner plus two snacks. It also provides a weekly shopping list, an electronic recipe box, meal archives, a library of resources and a blog.  For about 30 cents a day, a family can have access to quick, easy and healthy meals, creating the foundation for a lifetime of healthy eating.

 

Have you ever used a menu planning service?

Filed Under: Health & Safety, School-Age Kids
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