Teaching Rewards and Setting Goals

In teaching Youth and Children's Ministry Classes, over the years, I have developed a system for attaining the cooperation and participation of the students in my class.

These techniques have worked with every age group, from the very young to pre-teen.  Many times, pre-teens, who are scheduled to move into the Youth Ministry Classes, have requested to remain in my class an additional year.

The most important thing in teaching your students is that it must be fun, they must be involved at every level, and you can not lecture, ever.

I repeat, students MUST BE INVOLVED.  From the moment they walk in the door of your class, there must be something for them to do.  For those who arrive very early, this may be setting out chairs, or assisting with getting the class ready.

Plan ahead for their arrival, and have a word search, or some type of work sheet that pertains to your lesson ready and waiting for each student to work on.  There are Bible based coloring books available, Christian word searches are available, or make up your own, but there must be a project of some type available.

Each and every aspect of your class, from the moment a student walks in the door, MUST PERTAIN TO THE LESSON.

So, this all sounds very easy, right?  But how do you get the children to cooperate and participate?

Technique #1 -

REWARDS - (or bribery) are a very useful tool for motivating students of all ages to accomplish a goal.

Now you may say that you do not believe in bribery, but my motto is; if I can accomplish the goal with a piece of candy, or some small reward, then that is what I will do.

I DO NOT serve refreshments in my classes.  The children must earn enough points to choose a snack, such as individually packaged chips, or crackers.  I have learned that pre-teens will do anything to earn enough points for a soda, so I buy them on sale, and provide a couple of different choices, for them to choose from.

For those who do not wish to participate in the point system, I provide a pitcher of ice water, and maybe saltine crackers, or similar type snack.

I also provide additional rewards for them to spend their points on.  You will know what types of rewards will work best for your group, but I have found they love anything sour,  now n laters, laffy taffy, jolly ranchers, skittles, or whatever the newest candy craze may be.

So, in every class that I teach, every student must earn points, that they may then trade for the reward of their choice.  I will offer a variety of rewards with different point values, depending on the age of the students, length of the class, etc.

For example:

Walking in the class with a bible will earn you five points.
Walking in the class with a STUDY BIBLE may earn you ten points.
(by fifth grade, my students are required to have a study bible.)
Finishing a project will earn you five points.
Simpler projects, such as worksheets may have a lower point value.
Reading a passage of scripture that applies to the lesson may earn you points.
Participating in a discussion will definitely earn you points.

There are no limits to the criteria you can set to earn points and rewards.

Make it easy on yourself by using pennies for one point, and nickels for five points.  Be very, very generous in rewarding points, especially with class participation.

*If you are teaching very, very young children. . .the reward pieces need to be much bigger, something they can’t put in their mouth. . .but it does need to be a physical item that you put in their hand, i.e. - a red block for one point - a rubber ducky for five points, etc. . .so they understand the concept of being rewarded.  (those of you teaching very young children will have a better idea of the proper item. . .and proper rewards to excite young children)  Keep it very simple at that age. . .don’t overcomplicate it!

This may seem simplistic, but I can assure you it works every time.  Even the most bashful, shy student will participate in your class.

If you simply cannot afford to provide rewards, find a sponsor.  I promise you that there is an older couple in your church, whose children are grown, who, if you shared your vision with them, would love to sponsor your class on a monthly basis.

There are even people in your family, or in your community, who would love to be your sponsor.

Share your vision, be excited.