How to teach 7- to 8-year-old's?

How do we teach 7- to 8-year-olds? They are talkative; getting them to calm down and listen can be a challenge. At this age, they think they know a lot and want to share what they know with everyone. They like to sing as much as they like talking. They like using their hands; making something for themselves to put their name on gives them a sense of pride, so crafts and worksheets are a big deal for them. At this age, they like to prove how grown up and wise they are, so they like having class duty or helping in the classroom. They go out of their way to prove their goodness, and at times they blame others for their wrongdoing. Most of the time, they are eager and excited, and some can be animated, so how do we teach 7- to 8-year-olds?

• Spiritual messages to teach them:

·        Introduce God;

The provider, the Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

Ø  Learning Objectives: For them to understand that God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one. They are one, but they play different roles in our lives, and it is important for them to understand these roles.

• Sin:

Adam and Eve.

Cain and Able.

Joseph and Potiphar’s wife.

Christ being tempted in the wilderness or desert.

Ø  Learning Objective: For them to understand, we have choices to make; we have a choice to obey or disobey, and both of these choices have consequences. Sin is disobeying God, and this has a consequence.

• Fruit of the Spirit:

Galatians 5:22–23.

Ø  Learning Objectives: The fruit of the Spirit is not a fruit but rather attributes that grow; these attributes are what set God’s children apart from those who are not by their behaviour.

• Honesty:

Ananias and Sapphira.

Judas Iscariot.

Jacob and Esau.

Jospeh’s brothers.

The Story of Achan Joshua 7.

Ø  Learning Objectives: Through these stories, they must understand the negative consequences of lying or being subtle with the truth and how God dislikes dishonesty. Dishonesty doesn’t at times affect just you but those around you.

• Giving attitude:

Parable of the talents.

Offering of the poor widow.

Boy offering his lunch for the 5000 Matt 14:14-21.

Christians in the early Church offered for the needy.

Ø  Learning Objectives: At this age, a lot of them think everything is about them, and they tend to have an attitude of entitlement. These lessons work on this attitude of selfishness and entitlement. We give not because we have more, but because we understand that God wants us to be blessings to others. We give for God.

• Matter of the heart:

Samuel anoints David as king.

Saul becomes Paul.

Jacob becomes Israel.

Parable of the sower or farmer.

Ø  Learning Objectives: No matter how much good you do, if your heart is not right for God, then you are wasting your time. This is what they must understand: “God looks at the heart.”

• Gratitude attitude:

Hannah gave Samuel over to God as an act of gratitude.

Paul gives thanks in the middle of a storm (Acts 27).

Jesus gave thanks before 5,000 were fed.

Ø  Learning Objectives: Inasmuch as we teach them to ask from God and trust that he provides, they must learn to thank God and be thankful. Gratitude. “Count your many blessings and name them one by one.”

• Importance of prayer:

Hannah.

Cornelius.

Christians prayed for Peter’s release from prison.

Hezekiah prays because he is told he is about to die (2 Kings 20:3).

Elijah asks God for no rain (1 Kings 17:1).

Ø  Learning Objectives: Praise God, repent or ask for forgiveness, Ask for your needs, and Yield trust in the Lord. They must understand that praying is a way we talk to God about anything. Prayer is a powerful weapon God has gifted his children with, and through it, he answers.

• Listening to authority:

Samuel hearing Eli’s voice.

Eph 6:1–3: Children, obey your parents.

Saul obeys the word in Acts 9.

Woman at the well.

Lot’s wife turns into a pillar of salt.

Ø  Learning Objective: God has blessed us with two ears—ears to listen. When we listen, we learn, and when we learn, we apply what we have learned, and when we apply what we have learned, we become wise. They must understand that listening to God and all authorities is cool and wise.

• “The royal law, loving your neighbour as yourself:”

The parable of the lost sheep.

The parable of the good Samaritan.

The story of Abgail.

Ø  Learning Objectives: Putting others first can be a difficult concept, even for adults. It is a concept that must be taught at an early age. They must understand that not everything is about us and that it is okay to let your sibling have the last slice of pizza. What is the point of receiving God’s love and not sharing it with your neighbour?

v  In the classroom:

I am sure you are tired of hearing, or rather reading, “PLEASE BE ON TIME!” Please do it; it matters and has a positive effect on your kids’. It shows them that you care and that they matter to you. When you get to class, pray first on your own, talk to God about your fears, concerns, and anxiety, and also tell him about that difficult child. You know that ONE. Trust me, he knows how to guide you through it. Ask for wisdom, guidance, and strength. As you already know, all materials MUST be ready for use.

Opening prayer: If they know how to pray, ask one of them to. If not, you pray.

Exercise our smiles: make funny faces and sounds.

Songs we sing: Remember, we sing to get them warmed up and excited for class. What songs you sing with them are completely up to you, but they must be age-appropriate.

"Behold, I am standing at the door." is our absolute favourite song right now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rtv1SXy9c8

“If you are happy, you know it.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6LoRZsHMSs

“Stand up and shout it.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLuvJCu7WDk

I have pasted all these videos or links so that you can get the tune of the song.

v  Lesson time: Cain and Able.

This is a straight-forward lesson. You can tell it with visual aids so that they can get an idea of what happened in their heads. I taught this story a few years ago; I worked on it for weeks, and I just like giving my kids’ or learners the experience. I thought maybe we could act this one out. If I could, I would have brought live sheep for Able. I had lamb and sheep cut out, stuck wool on them, and we were good to go. I got old clean sheets and head wraps for Cain and Able to dress up, and for Cain, I cut out some fruit and coloured them in. I had a white sheet for God as well.

I told the lesson, asked a few questions, discussed it, and then it was fun time. We dressed up and acted it out. Ooh I used one of the tables in the classroom as an altar of sacrifice.

 

• Worksheets & Crafts:

Worksheets: https://za.pinterest.com/pin/183169909828379215/ https://za.pinterest.com/pin/647462883945192712/

https://za.pinterest.com/pin/797559415278349707/

Craft: https://za.pinterest.com/pin/34410384646294094/ https://za.pinterest.com/pin/13792342596749758/

Songs to sing: I honestly do not have anyyyy songs that go with this lesson, but you could sing this one.

“I’ve got joy down in my heart.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LylgwOEI7AY  

• Activities to play:

• You could hide one of the sheep or lamb cutouts and have them look for it.
• Have them work in teams and ask questions based on the lesson.
• Have all the kids in a circle except two; those in a circle must hold hands. One must be in the middle and the other outside the circle. The idea is that those who hold hands in the circle must protect the one inside the circle from the predator outside the circle. The predator must get the one in the middle at all costs. Just like the Devil does with God’s children.

 

This age group will keep you on your toes; they will let you know once they get bored. Try looking for new games and songs once in a while. Have extra worksheets if you can, just in case. From time to time, have a change of scenery, go outside, have them run, jump, and play; if possible, put the tables and chairs away, sit in a circle on the mat, and have the lesson. Teaching 7- to 8-year-olds can be a slight challenge since they get booooooooored after a while. Research often and think outside the box. How to teach 7- to 8-year-olds? When or if you’ve hit a brick wall, pray, ask God this question, and ask for his guidance and strength. Enjoy them while you can….soon they’ll be jetting off to youth class, yes, those 7- to 8-year-olds.