Kid's Sunday School Place - Classroom Behavior Management

Classroom behavior management can be one of the most difficult aspects of being a volunteer Sunday school worker. We want to provide a loving outreach to all children. We also want to make all families feel welcome and accepted. When behavior problems arise we don't have the option of sending the child to the principle's office. Listed below are several suggestions that have proven to be effective in our Sunday school classrooms.

Instill Hope - Build Strong Bonds

People of all ages need to feel wanted and cared for. Welcome each child warmly into the classroom and make a geniue effort to connect with some aspect of each student's life throughout the school year. Instill hope for them in the here and now as well as a heavenly hope. Build strong bonds with them and make each child feel special. Let them know that God has high hopes and big plans for everyone of them if they choose to follow Him.

Classroom Behavior Management
Classroom behavior management can be one of the most difficult aspects of being a volunteer Sunday school worker. We want to provide a loving outreach to all children. We also want to make all families feel welcome and accepted. When behavior problems arise we don't have the option of sending the child to the principle's office. Listed below are several suggestions that have proven to be effective in our Sunday school classrooms.

	Instill Hope - Build Strong Bonds
	People of all ages need to feel wanted and cared for. Welcome each child warmly into the classroom and make a geniue effort to connect with some aspect of each student's life throughout the school year. Instill hope for them in the here and now as well as a heavenly hope. Build strong bonds with them and make each child feel special. Let them know that God has high hopes and big plans for everyone of them if they choose to follow Him.

Happy Little Guy
On the white board/Chalk board draw a picture of a happy face, then draw a frowning face seven inches directly under the happy face. Draw a vertical line between the two. Draw a horizontal line in the middle of the vertical bar. At the beginning of class draw an arrow just under the smiley face. If the class misbehaves the arrow slides down the vertical bar. If behavior improves the arrow may slide up the bar. At the end of class if the arrow is on the side of the happy little guy all children get a piece of candy.

	Jesus Secret Jewel Book
	Every time you see a child display positive behavior, you secretly put a jewel in his/her book and a notation on why the child received the jewel. After a month reveal the books and tell the story and/or verse that is related to the good behavior. Remind the class that Jesus will reward those who do something as simple as giving a cup of water to someone who is thirsty.

Carnival Tickets
If you prefer not to give out candy as a reward here's an alternative. Buy a roll of carnival tickets. At the end of each class give every well behaved child a ticket. Once they've collected several tickets they are allowed to trade them in for a small prize. (Pencil, Bible Cards, Stickers, etc.)

	Candy Star
	Each child is given a small paper star at the beginning of class. If the child continually misbehaves you collect their star. All children that have their star at the end of the class get to choose a piece of candy.

Noise Thermometer
On the white board/Chalk board draw a picture of a thermometer, similar to the picture at the right. Make sure you have several levels to reach so you won't run out before the end of the class. Using a red marker, shade in the bottom ball of the termometer, and if the children get too noisy, add red up to the next mark. Let the kids know that if the red reaches the top of the noise termometer, there will be no treats. Avoid getting to the top of the thermometer, because if you do, there will no longer be any reason for the kids to remain quiet.

	Eight Beads On A String
	You will need eight beads of any kind and a string. Explain to the kids that each Sunday that the whole class behaves, you will add a bead to the string. If there's a Sunday when the class hasn't behaved you will remove a bead. When there are eight beads on the string the class will be rewarded. The Reward can be extra game time, a small token or anything else that would be rewarding to the children.