Children

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You want your child to enjoy coming to church, but it is hard for them to sit still for an hour, and you don’t want them running down the aisle disturbing the other members of the congregation.

Here are 4 tips to prepare your child for church:

Plan Ahead

Make sure church clothes are cleaned and pressed the night before. Lay them out for easy access in the morning, and polish shoes if necessary.

Plan a simple breakfast that takes little time to prepare and eat. When you plan ahead, there is no last minute rushing around on Sunday morning, and you’re more likely to make it to church on time without stressing out.

Pep Talk

Before the service starts, remind your child that church is a place to be quiet and listen. Most churches have coloring books and crayons to keep little hands and minds busy. Make a bathroom stop before the service begins, as well as a stop at the drinking fountain.

Invite Participation

Share a bulletin with your child and encourage singing when appropriate. Some songs let you clap along, or make hand motions, such as Climbing Jacob’s Ladder.

Give your child a dollar to put in the offering plate, or have him bring coins from a piggy bank. This is a good way to teach children about giving back.

Don’t Give Up

Remember at the end of the day that your child is still learning, and if his behavior was less than stellar, there is always time for improvement. Don’t give up. Keep bringing your child to church, praise good behavior, and keep working on the behaviors that need improvement.

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