Working with multi-age groups can be a rewarding and very positive experience for everyone involved—especially if you plan ahead. A variety of curriculum products have been designed so kids of ages Kindergarten-Grade 5 participate together. All children need an opportunity to make important contributions, participate in fun and meaningful activities, and discuss how to apply the Bible truths to their lives. Here are a few suggestions that will prepare you for a successful multi-age encounter:

• Remember that older kids can easily mentor or coach younger ones, which will provide for a more meaningful opportunity for all ages. Children also like responsibility and want to feel important. Let older children supervise, help, and guide younger children in the group. Give these children tasks that require more skill and creativity, and ask questions that promote deeper thinking.



• Pair two students together and create a buddy system. This helps prevent any child from feeling left out or isolated. It also promotes relationship building and teaches kids to listen to and cooperate with one another.



• As you create signs and other instructions, keep in mind the younger ones who cannot read yet. You might use pictures for signs or communicate instructions verbally.



• All children need movement, action, and motion!



• Don't worry about certain discussion questions going over the head of some children. They will easily catch onto what is being said by listening to how older children respond.



• Give everyone an opportunity to succeed! Each child should feel important, loved, and special.



• Choose Activity Stations that provide something for various age levels.



• Provide kids with enough time to accomplish tasks, complete goals, and think about questions before having to answer them.



• Praise the group for their ability to cooperate, work together, and successfully complete a goal.



• Assign one Team Time Helper for every 8-10 children to assist where needed.



• Remember with content that it is better to stretch younger children than to bore older children.

Copyright © 2005 Promiseland.

Read more from 'Programming and Teaching'

Words Kids Need to Hear To Help Them Be Who God Made Them to Be by David Staal If you could choose just seven statements to share with children, what would they be? Each chapter in this compelling book focuses on a single statement elementary-age kids need to hear from parents, children's workers, and other close adults. These seven statements are simple to share, yet guaranteed to profoundly impact children. They are: I believe in you. You can count on me. I treasure you. I'm sorry, please forgive me. Because. No. I love you. will educate, equip, and motivate parents and children's ministry teams to carefully choose words that building up kids' hearts, to say them frequently, and to do so in creative ways. What children hear from trusted adults significantly influences their self-image, their current relationships, and future relationships—including that all-important relationship with God.