Backwards Night!
by Karen Ensley
Church Educator Magazine, November 2005
Make that “Night Backwards!” This is a simple theme that is not meant to deliver any great message, it is purely to have fun. That is not to say it doesn’t have a purpose! Indeed, having fun is one of the key elements to the Youth Club program, one that encourages friendships and keeps the children wanting to come to church.
This theme is a great fill-in night, one that can be placed anywhere in your semester schedule. Better yet: it requires very little planning and preparation!
Essentially, your only necessary advance work would be to notify the children that they should arrive for Backwards Night, well…backwards! It can be very interesting to see the extent to which they will wear their clothing backwards. They can walk backwards, too. Name tags could be on their backs. Have them sign in by writing their name – you guessed it – backwards!
To add to the fun, rearrange the seating in your choir room so that the chairs are facing the opposite direction or have the children sit on them backwards. Do voice warm-ups, last!
In Bible, again, turn the chairs for a totally different look to the room. Check Bible translation web sites, or ask your pastor for a resource, and print a verse in Hebrew. Have your teachers write the same Bible verse in English, backwards. Let the children decipher the English version; then, explain that while Hebrew is read from top to bottom, it is read from right to left – not just on backwards night.
It’s easy to include the theme for recreation, just be creative. If you’re playing basketball, each time the ball goes through the net, the team loses points. Lowest score wins! Or perhaps you’d like to have relay races doing each move forward and then backward. Play jump rope, backwards only, or hopscotch counting down. Want to play a game of baseball? Run the bases backwards, third, second, first and home, or make the runners actually run backward and the outfielders throw over their backs!
During dinner, think of as many things as possible that could be placed backwards. Silverware can be reversed from the usual setting, cups placed where plates belong, chairs turned, tablecloths upside down, it all works for backwards night! It may seem silly, but that’s the point. Let the children enjoy the fun together and watch the friendships blossom. Have the children walk in backwards and of course, eat dessert first!
Preschool Corner
The ABC's of Connecting with Parents
Little Investigators
Busting Putdowns
by Alan Hines, Smyrna, Delaware Children's Ministry MagazineMay/June 2009
This simple balloon trick increases preteens’ sensitivity to the consequences of hurtful words.
You’ll need two balloons and a needle. Inflate one balloon (“Balloon Bill”) and draw a comical, ugly face on it, then let the air out. Inflate the second balloon (“Latex Larry”), draw another comical ugly face, and tie it off.
Inflate the deflated balloon and pinch it off to keep it inflated. Then invite kids to talk about Balloon Bill. Each time kids say something negative, allow a bit of air to seep out of Bill until all his air is gone. Next, concealing the needle, pick up Latex Larry and invite kids to describe him. This time, though, as soon as someone says the first negative word, pop the balloon.
Say: Sometimes negative words slowly tear down a person’s self-esteem until he or she is completely deflated and feels very bad. We can build the person back up, but it takes positive words and genuine care – things we can give to all people. Sometimes, though, one mean word can hurt a person forever.
Ask: How can we use our words to build up others?
Challenge kids to think of one person at school or in their neighborhood who could use positive words, and have them focus on building up that person during the week. Ask for reports the next week.
Potty Mouth
Children's Ministry Magazine July/August 2007
As you roam the classroom during small group discussions, your ears burn as you hear an expletive spew from the mouth of a sweet, 10-year-old girl. Surprised to hear such words at church? Preteens hear them every day; in their world everyone swears: actors, athletes, parents, even teachers. So help preteens understand the impact these words have, and teach them appropriate ways to express their strong emotions.
- Stay calm. Overreacting is exactly the response that’ll give preteens attention and likely trigger more inappropriate language.
- Address one-on-one. Talk with the preteen one-on-one immediately after the incident. Explain that such language doesn’t show respect and isn’t appropriate. Remember, kids who swear aren’t bad kids – they’ve simply chosen to use bad words.
- Help kids emote. Preteens typically swear as an emotional response to something or someone. Talk with your class about how to express feelings and emotions in appropriate ways.
- Teach positive language. Teach preteens what the Bible says about our words (start with Proverbs 22:11). Swear words, gossip, and hurtful phrases or threats aren’t allowed in class. Instead, have kids practice positive language with experiences that build each other up and set a good example for others.