Group Management

Leaders lead!

• Leaders are not there to be liked by the children nor to be their friend.
• Leaders are to lead calmly.
• Leaders should not physically discipline any child (no corporal punishment).
• Leaders must not show favouritism.

Prevention Is Better 

• Ensure instructions are clear and age appropriate.
• Ensure expectations are clear and age appropriate.
• Ensure lessons are organised, engaging and age appropriate.

The Big Picture

• Any words spoken to a child should be clear and calm, avoid shouting or raised pitch.
• Keep it simple - one rule: respect (respect God, respect people, respect property).
• Never send a child to sit with parents in church as a ‘punishment’. 
• Kids Ministry Director is the person who talks to parents about a child’s behaviour.

Best Practice 

• Redirect a child’s attention when upset or frustrated (esp. younger child).
• Offer a choice (join in game or sit and watch game).
• Warn once, if behaviour persists act:
  • Option #1 remove the equipment from the child
  • Option #2 remove the child from the activity (e.g. sit out for three minutes)
  • Option #3 remove the privilege of a future activity (miss out next game, be last to)
• If tantrums occur, move furniture/equipment/other children to avoid harm to the child and/or others. Don’t talk to the child during the tantrum. Keep an eye on them (for safety reasons). Ignore behaviour until tantrum subsides.
• Consistent appropriate consequence (for school age):
  • Minor behaviour = minor consequence
  • Example:
    • Behaviour: whispering to child beside them
    • Action: Leader stops and looks at child, when behaviour stops, continue.
  • Medium behaviour = medium consequence
  • Example:
    • Behaviour: constantly calling out or disrupting activity in small group
    • Action: sit child outside group, invite to rejoin after 3-5 minutes, if persists, send to another group for 3-5 mins. encourage apologise before returning
  • Major behaviour = major consequence
  • Example:
    • Behaviour: violently attack another child or adult
    • Action: removed from the group immediately, call Kids Ministry Director to contact parents, ask parents to take child home 

• Always remember, Team Leaders and Kids Ministry Director are there to support.