Thursday's Tip

I find that Small Group Labels is one of the biggest hits on my website ... which means apparently a lot of people are looking for info! So, I'm going to spend this Thursday giving some basic info on how our Preschool Ministry is structured.

Beginning around 2.5 years old children move into a ministry structure that is based off of the Small Group/Large Group Model. However, instead of a traditional small group that you or I would sit in (believe it or not - preschoolers DO NOT sit!) the kids go through 4 activity centers in place of their small groups.

No, the small groups aren't consistent - but preschoolers make friends based on who is in close vicinity to them and tend to be open and honest, no matter who is around!

In order to divide the children into small groups they receive a sticker at their classroom with a color box on it. Since the kids can't read, there are no words on the sticker - just simply a color block and a number. The number coordinates with the bin that they put all their things in and the color block tells them which center to start at. The stickers are printed on Avery Labels (1 sheet per service)

Centers last about 10 minutes each - taking a total of 40 minutes during the service. In addition to the centers there is also a 15-20 minute large group teaching and worship time!

Thursday's Tip

Here's a great video on helping preschoolers remember the most important facts from a Bible story.

Thursday's Tip

Here's a great video on helping preschoolers apply Bible Stories to their daily lives...

Preschool

Welcome to the SOWO Volunteers who will be joining us for our Easter Services this year!

Here's what to expect in the Preschool Ministry...

1. Arrive at least 20 minutes prior to your service time

2. Each classroom will have a "Room Point" (a regular PreK Volunteer) - this person will be able to answer any questions you may have!

3. Basic Schedule...

Sea/Woods (830a Service Example ... Schedules for each service will be in your classroom)

815-835 - Checkin/FreePlay/Cleanup

835 - Large Group (in the Sea - or Zone if #'s are small)

850 - Activity Center Rotation #1

900 - Activity Center Rotation #2

910 - Activity Center Rotation #3

920 - Activity Center Rotation #4

930 - Snack/Checkout

Zone (830a Service Example ... Use Sea/Woods if #'s are small)

815-835 - Checkin/FreePlay/Cleanup

835 - Activity Center Rotation #1

845 - Activity Center Rotation #2

855 - Activity Center Rotation #3

905 - Activity Center Rotation #4

915 - Large Group (in the Zone)

930 - Snack/Checkout

4. Activity Centers

-Blue, Green, Red, and Yellow

-You'll notice the four colored mats in each classroom - this is to help the children know which center to go to. When a child arrives in the classroom they receive a label with a color square, this is their starting Activity Center color.

-Each volunteer in the classroom will be assigned to one of the colors. You will remain at this color during the four activity center rotations. The Room Point will let you know when to rotate. Generally, the center rotations are 10 minutes each.

-All the curriculum and supplies that you need will be inside the Activity Center Bin.

-Any takehome items can be placed in the child's numbered bin (also located on their label)

5. Large Group

-During Large Group time the Large Group Leader will teach the story and lead worship, volunteers will help watch the children during this time.

Preschool Centers - Labels

How do we divide the kids into their small groups each week?

Truly ... it's a simple process and after several weeks of trial and error I couldn't think of an easier way to do it ... it was just finding that way to do it that took a little bit of time! But it works!

First of all, remember that preschoolers can't read! They do know their colors and most of them recognize or can at least match numbers. So this limits your options :-)

At first I tried allowing the computer assignment system to divide the kids. Randomly I divided each room into four colors - but, it never failed when it was time to split up there would be 10 kids in the Blue group and 0 in the Red group ... which just left everyone confused.

So...here's my solution...

A sheet of mailing labels and a Publisher document.

I take the four centers and create a document with four color boxes - one color per label. The colors repeat every four labels, which evenly distributes the children into small groups. The labels also have a number printed on them. The number corresponds to the child's bin in the classroom where they keep all of their things while they're in the classroom. When it's time to break up into centers the children look at the color box on their label and go to that same mat color. The kids are able to match their colors and know exactly where to go when they start...and trust me - they know where to begin because in the rare case that you have to start a kid at a different color than what's on their label ... there are a million questions to answer and some very stressed preschoolers :-)

activity centers - the how?

We've taken a look at why using activity centers is good in preschool ministries ... now here's the other question I get a lot ... how do you use the centers?

So...here we go...

When do I use the centers?

During all Preschool Ministry Programs. This includes both the weekend services and the mid-week program. Through experience I found that this format is what the kids are use to and do best with, so I keep the structure the same - but change the content!

Curriculum...

Weekends: My First Look - reThink Group (Northpoint Church - Atlanta, GA)

Mid-Week: We write our own mid-week curriculum (I write the take home (discipleship) curriculum and then write four activities for each week along with a large group teaching time.)

Structure...

Preschoolers can't read, or sometimes even recognize numbers - BUT they do know their four primary colors! So the entire program centers around 4 colors (Blue, Green, Red, Yellow) Each center has a specific bin labeled with the color. The bins sit on corresponding mats in the classroom which help the children know where to go next. Once at the center, the children stay on the mat for the entire 10 minutes, unless an activity requires them to leave the mat.


How do kids know which group they're in?

During check-in there is a sheet of labels with a number and a color box on each label. We print a sheet for each service and as each child checks in they are given one label. This label tells the child which color mat they will start on when it is time for Small Groups - leaders then direct them to the next mat (always in the same order - Blue to Green to Red to Yellow). The number on the label matches bins along the wall where each child can place their stuff. The children are able to match the number on their tag with the number on the bin ... and leaders are always there to help if they have a little trouble!


Basic Schedule

Check-in/Free Time
8:45-9:10 (15 minutes before service and 10 minutes into service)
Clean-Up
9:10-9:15
Large Group
9:15-9:35 (Worship and a teaching time)
Center Rotation #1
9:35-9:45
Center Rotation #2
9:45-9:55
Center Rotation #3
9:55-10:05
Center Rotation #4
10:05-10:15
Snack/Pick-Up
10:15-end of service

Large Groups = 20 minutes
Small Groups = 40 minutes
Transitions = Approx: 20 minutes

Activity Centers - The Why?

I get this question a lot ... Why use activity centers?

Here's a couple reasons...

1. Consistency/Predictability

Having the same structural format from week to week provides the consistency that preschool aged children need. 3, 4, and 5 year olds want to feel in control of their world, even though they have very little control or choices - however their ability to "know" what is going to happen next gives them the feeling of control that they need! Each week the kids rotate in the same order of colors - thus, children always know where they're going to next, even though they don't know what they will experience in that center - thus keeping things new and exciting each week!

2. Small Groups

Traditional small groups can be difficult in the preschool age group. However, there is still a need for children to interact and learn in small groups of children! Thus, the activity center format breaks down the entire group of children into four smaller groups - allowing each of the children to experience the centers and have the opportunity to connect with their leaders in each area.

3. Hands-On Experience

Preschoolers learn through their senses! When the children in a room are broken down into four small groups we are able to provide so many more experiences than can be provided in a large group setting! Feeling sand or making animal tracks in play-doh may not be possible with 30, 3 year olds ... but when there are 7-8, 3 year olds in your group it becomes a much more enjoyable experience where the children are able to learn and connect the activity with the lesson!

4. Organization

Ultimately, having the same structure from week to week provides organization to the classroom. Leaders know what they can expect each week coming into the classroom - there are 4 centers which take 40 minutes (10 minutes each) and a large group time. The things within the centers switch each week, but that's it - thus there are no surprises!

Stay tuned for ... The How!