The "Zoo" Children's Ministry is no
longer in operation. We are maintaining this portion of our web site so
that those involved in children's ministry can benefit from some of the
resources that we are blessed to have.
The following is the basic program structure for the
"Zoo" along with helpful tips on running your own program.
What is "The Zoo"?
At "The Zoo":
- We teach simple Bible lessons using themes.
·
Themes provide excitement, variety, and a setting. e.g.
"Swamp Days". Lesson One - "Garbage In - Garbage Out"; Lesson Two -
"Overcoming Temptation"; Lesson Three - "Swamp Rescue".
·
The themes change every three weeks, long enough to hold
interest without becoming boring.
·
For every theme, props and puppets are changed to fit with
the theme.
·
Props can be made simply from easily obtainable items.
·
The theme should be chosen to fit the environment you have
to work in.
Structure of Program
Opening
- Basically serves as a welcome or introduction
(especially for a new program)
- Helps to make the children feel comfortable.
- Could include a puppet song or brief skit,
etc. to introduce the theme or lesson.
Rules
- Every week make the rules clear at this point
in the program.
- Kids need to understand what is expected -
What the boundaries are.
Prayer
- Keep the prayer Brief and Simple. Keep in mind
that "Christian-eese" terminology should be avoided. Be sure to use
simple terms that the children will easily understand.
- Prayer is a teaching opportunity, e.g. We can
talk to God simply.
- Provides an opportunity for a role model - how
to pray.
- An opportunity to dedicate the program to the
Lord and His purpose.
Singing
- Should be fun, lively and fast paced. Choose
songs with actions.
- Make sure the children have a clear
understanding of what they are singing.
- It's an opportunity for worship.
- It's an opportunity to burn some energy.
Games
- Are usually related to the particular theme.
- Are an opportunity for fun, teamwork and
cooperation.
- Provide learning opportunities. e.g.
vocabulary and number skills, dexterity.
- Don't create an overly competitive atmosphere.
All participants receive a prize.
- Avoid any games or prizes that could be a
potential health or safety risk.
- It's an opportunity to burn some energy.
Memory Verse
- It is important for children to learn what is
written in God's word. His word is powerful, and we are encouraged
to hide His word in our heart.
- Serves to help familiarize children with the
books of the Bible and how the reference system works.
- A puppet character and props can be used at
this point.
- Should correlate with the lesson and also fit
with the theme.
- Make the method of teaching the verse fun and
challenging, e.g. word puzzles.
Object Lesson
- Reinforces message taught in memory verse.
- Can be illusions, simple tricks.
- A demonstration to convey a point.
Story
- Is used to apply the concepts being taught to
real life situations.
- Takes everything that has been taught in the
program to this point and ties it together into a story that the
children can relate to.
- Should be easy to identify with or grasp- how
they can use that teaching in their own life.
- Done through the use of videos, puppet skits
(can be a mix of puppets and a story teller), story boards or drama
could be used.
- Can be actual Bible stories or Bible stories
rewritten in a modern setting. Fictional stories written to convey a
Biblical truth can also be used.
Conclusion
- Provides a question time to see how much of
the lesson was comprehended.
- An opportunity to reinforce the point of the
lesson.
- An opportunity for an invitation to accept
Christ.
- Includes a closing prayer.
Dismissal
- Quiet seat prizes are awarded.
- Used as an opportunity to promote the program
for next week.
- An opportunity to address any concerns about
leaving the location, i.e. traffic.
- Every child receives a treat as they are
dismissed.
Maintaining Control
In any children's program there is a need to
maintain control. Boundaries and limits MUST be set. Children need to
know what is expected of them. If there is no structure, very little
learning will take place. We have developed the following system of
discipline to help maintain control. It is mostly based on methods we
have seen used by other ministries. CONSISTENCY is important. Once the
rules have been stated, it is important to follow through with them. To
be most effective, use all elements of the following structure.
Methods of Helping Maintain
Control
Method No. One - Teams
Divide the children into two teams. Girls on one
side and boys on the other. This is the simplest and fairest method of
establishing two teams. It also helps to ensure a mix of ages on each
side. It is important not to use this as an opportunity to promote one
gender as better than the other.
Method No. Two - Balloons
Three balloons are designated to each team. If any
member of a team is being disruptive, then one of their balloons is
popped. A team having had all three of their balloons popped, will then
forfeit their treat at the end of the program. The other team would then
receive double treats. (The other team must not have any of their
balloons popped to receive double). NEVER pop the third balloon early in
the program - you have no leverage after that happens. We have popped
all three balloons on rare occasions. It has sent the message that we
mean what we say and are willing to follow through.
Method No. Three - Three Strike Rule
This is a rule that applies to the individual
child. When a child is misbehaving, a verbal warning or "strike" is
given. After "three strikes" (baseball analogy), the child is "out".
This means that the child is asked to leave the program. Be clear that
they must leave for the remainder of that weeks session but emphasize
that they are welcome to return next time. Try to be as gracious as
possible - it's not an easy rule to enforce, but once you've set the
rule, you must follow through.
Method No. Four - Quiet Seat Prizes
This is an incentive used to encourage the children
to pay attention. We offer prizes to the children who are being quiet
and behaving during the program. One or two leaders are assigned to
select the winners. Four prizes are given (two to each team) to the
children who have been sitting with legs crossed, arms folded, looking
straight ahead and not talking to or bothering their neighbour. Be sure
to award the prizes to children who genuinely deserve to win. This helps
to reinforce the standard.
Other Appropriate Rules
Depending on the particular setting for your
program, other rules will have to be added. For example, on "The Zoo"
bus, the children are instructed not to touch or draw on the windows and
also to stand clear of the bus as it is pulling up to the curb. In the
case of a program held inside a building, a specific area may be out of
bounds. Be consistent about the rules that are established.
Rewards
Rewards are incentives - good
behaviour is
acknowledged with a reward. Rewards definitely help maintain control.
They are certainly a good investment given the importance of the message
that you have been given the opportunity to share.
Outdoor vs Indoor Program
"The Zoo" Children's Ministry was run all year
round. In the summer it was operated out of a (cube van) and in the
winter it was operated out of the (Zoo Bus). The program or curriculum
is designed specifically to suit one of the vehicles. There are some
activities that can only be done in a certain setting or are limited by
space so we had adapted our lessons to suit the area we were using. If
you are planning to use "The Zoo" curriculum that we offer, you may find
it necessary to adjust it to meet your needs. We have found a few tricks
of the trade:
Indoor
Use video to do the story. Remember you are dealing
with a generation that thrives on TV
Games in this setting may require a decrease in physical activity.
Use word games etc. These will help the children with literacy and other
skills required in school, so their purpose is two fold.
Songs with actions can be changed to actions that can be done while
sitting down. The kids think that is an interesting change.
Outdoor
Games can take up much more space, use relays etc.
Singing can be done using songs with lots and lots of actions. Take
advantage of the space.
This is an excellent opportunity to take full advantage of themes.
Space for props is unlimited. What an exciting idea!
Puppets and Puppet Videos
Kids today are accustomed to fast-paced visual
media. It is important to keep that in mind when planning an effective
program for children. We have learned from experience that the use of
puppets, puppet videos and props helps to catch and hold the attention
of kids today.
Puppets
- add interest and excitement
- are non-threatening to kids
- are excellent for telling stories
- enables you to act out a story
- adds life to the story through action and interaction
- can also be used to help teach a memory verse
- allow for developing a range of different
characters. This helps add variety to the program. It is also good
to have familiar characters that return from time to time.
Puppet Manipulation
- learn basic manipulation techniques. Avoid
"flip top" heads.
- rod arms give added movement
- try to make your puppet's movements as
realistic as possible
- voices certainly enhance a character
- takes a concentrated effort to do a good job
- reviewing videotaped puppet skits can help to
improve your skills
Puppet Videos
- useful for reinforcing the lesson and the
theme
- provide an attention shift
- create your own productions. You will need:
- puppet/puppeteers
- video camera (tripod is helpful)
- script/setting
- music, props and costumes
- production crew (camera, sound effects and lighting)
Puppet Costumes and Character Design
- puppets can be dressed to fit with a
particular theme and setting. You can easily change a puppet into
another character by making use of costumes, hats, wigs, beards,
etc. This allows a diversity of characters using only a few basic
puppets.
- children's clothing is a good source for
costumes. Sizes 2 to 3x will generally fit an average puppet
(Puppets that are hand made or from other companies may vary)
- make your own creations - they can be sewn
simply and don't require much fabric. HINT: remnants are a good,
inexpensive source for fabric.
- a new character can be created over another
puppet using fabric, light weight stuffing, foam, wire, etc. and
held in place with safety pins.
- you can make your own puppets using available
patterns or build a model puppet using plastics, clay, etc., then
tailor make your own pattern from the model. Be sure to construct
the model to the actual finished puppet dimensions that you have in
mind.
Puppets are without a doubt, one of the most effective children's
ministry tools.
Prayer Sponsor Program
PRAYER IS VITAL - it forms the backbone of any
children's ministry program. It is important to pray for the specific
needs of each child and their family. You need people who are committed
to this task. A prayer sponsor program can be established by assigning a
list of children from five or six families to willing volunteers. A
volunteer who is well acquainted with the children would be best suited
to establish this program and maintain it by providing regular updates
to the individual prayer sponsors.
Visitation
Ministry is relational - you need to get to know
your kids. This helps establish a level of trust which results in
credibility. Obviously this is important in sharing the Gospel. The
first step in building a relationship with the kids is to learn their
names. To obtain names and addresses a coloring contest can be run. Be
sure winners are selected by a random draw (done in front of the kids).
Do not judge their individual ability.
As a result of having personal information such as their name,
address and birth date, a visitation program can be established. A good
tool to use in the program is a promotional flyer. This reminds the
kids/parents about the program and allows a point of contact to the
home. It gives you a reason to be on their doorstep. Flyers should be
interesting and fun, it's a good idea to include an activity or two.
Flyers should state the time, date, and location of your program and
include a clear statement of who you represent (i.e. church or
organization.) Birthday cards are Very Effective in building
relationships. The card conveys to the child and the parents that you
are personally interested. Our experience has been that the parents
really appreciate this gesture.
Props
- help to establish the theme
·
add interest - help to make the program exciting
·
add variety and change. Prop changes are generally done
every three weeks, depending on the theme.
·
can be made simply from easily obtainable items such as
cardboard, paper, fabric, plastic, wood, paint, markers, etc.
·
can be items you may already have. Look in children's toy
boxes, your basement or the garage.
·
can be borrowed from sources in the community, e.g. the
Fire Dept.
·
can also include items related to the theme that are
designed to be used directly in the program. e.g. game props and memory
verse props.
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