Wondering how to stop fidgeting among Sunday school students? Do children in your church and classrooms have trouble sitting still? If so, it’s not because they’re irreverent or rebellious. Kids fidget because they’re wired to move. And you likely don’t give them enough opportunities to do so.
You can go with kids’ natural wiring to help them learn and engage, or you can force them to sit still and be quiet. Force them into a prolonged sedentary state, and they’ll feel like they’re in timeout. And soon they’ll dread coming to church.
Am I saying that kids should never sit and listen quietly? No. I believe they should…but in small doses. If you want kids to experience times of being still and quiet before the Lord? Then balance it with lots of time for them to dance before the Lord!
Honor kids’ time to move, and they will honor the time you ask them to be still and quiet. Active learning is more effective than quiescent learning. So make sure your kidmin programming reflects this.
5 Ways To Stop Fidgeting Among Kids
Every week, our Sunday school teachers review these five expectations with children.
1. Talk when it’s time to talk.
We give kids lots of opportunities to talk, discuss, and interact with each other and their leaders.
2. Sing when it’s time to sing.
We encourage kids to engage during the worship songs. Two of the songs are upbeat and very active. One is a slower, more reflective worship song.
3. Listen when it’s time to listen.
When someone else is talking up front or in their group, show respect by listening.
4. Play when it’s time to play.
We engage in lots of interactive learning activities and games. We encourage kids to get involved.
