Understanding 1st and 2nd graders

1. I need routine.
1. Routines are helpful for my security.
2. Give me clear predictable patterns to follow.
3. My own space helps me feel safe.

2. Give me variety between quiet and active activities.
1. My skills are growing and now I can accomplish small motor activities. I like to see the results of my work.
2. Sometimes I need time to think. Help me slow down and give me quiet time to do so.
3. Other times, I need to be active and move around while I learn.
4. Please let me know what your expectations are, so I can do the right thing.
5. I can concentrate for longer periods of time.

3. I need to belong.
1. Being part of a group is important to me.
2. I like having fun with a group of kids.
3. It helps if you help us get to know one another. Especially help us to know each other’s names.

4. Full participation is important to me.
1. I like to fully participate in worship or actions if I can. For example, if we sing, please make sure I can sing the songs, too. And equally important, I want to successfully perform the actions to the song.
2. If we read from the Bible, I like to at least have my Bible open so I can recognize some of the words that I know.
3. Please don’t make me read out loud, unless I ask to.

5. Please help me connect the Bible events to life.
1. I like the Bible events and the story line. Now it is easier to see how they can teach me.
2. I’m interested in what happened long ago and how it can help me today.

This is an excerpt from the Ministry Partner Handbook.

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