LIFE Church
Children’s Ministry
Volunteer Training.
Baby Life
Todder Life
Kinder Life
Kids Life
Thank you.
Thank you for volunteering with the children’s ministry at Life Church! We
are excited to have you on the team and pray that you will be blessed by
this opportunity to serve. Please read this information carefully so that you
are familiar with the guidelines and expectations for our team of teachers.
• LEADERSHIP
– Saturday coordinator: Rachel Wrigglesworth
• Baby/ Toddler/ Kinder Life Room Leader: Rachel Wrigglesworth
– Sunday coordinator: Shannon McDonald
• Baby Life Room Leader: Jeanne Gierczak
• Toddler Life Room Leader: Shannon McDonald
• Kinder Life Room Leader: Amy Samuelson
COORDINATOR? Policies, procedures, curriculum, teaching schedule, etc.
ROOM LEADER? Distributes schedules/reminders, initial contact for volunteers, etc.
Basics.
• Background Checks must be completed before teaching.
• It’s simple. Complete the form we give you, and give it back.
• Join the Facebook group for your classroom.
• Upon signing up, you will be invited to join by your room leader.
• It’s a great way for room leaders to communicate new information.
• It’s a great way to communicate to other teachers when you need to switch
teaching dates. Speaking of teaching dates…
• Teaching Schedules
• Each room should have a 6 week rotation of volunteers
• Room leaders will distribute schedules to teachers every 3 months with as
much notice as possible via e-mail and Facebook
• Review the schedule carefully. If you have a conflict and cannot teach on
the day you are scheduled, begin the process of finding a replacement
immediately.
Basics.
This topic gets its own page because it’s that important.
• Process for finding a replacement
• Step 1: Post in your Facebook group that you are needing to switch dates to
see if you have any takers. If not resolved within a few days, move on to the
next step…
• Step 2: Contact people DIRECTLY via e-mail or phone (a directory will be
provided to you)
• Step 3: Contact your room leader to let them know you are having trouble
Be considerate. Please start this process as soon as you know that a
conflict exists. The more notice you give, the more likely someone will help
you out. Contact your room leader only as a last resort. Keep the golden
rule in mind and please help each other out as able.
• Step 4: Let your room leader know once a switch is confirmed
Note: Please follow this same process for last-minute illness situations
when at all possible.
Basics.
• Lessons
• Sent to you via email (Toddler/Kinder) but can also be accessed online (see
future slide)
• Be prepared. Read through your lessons prior to teaching and bring the
recommended props.
• Be creative. Stick to the story, but if you have a good idea that goes along
with your lesson plan, go for it! You have freedom to bend and shape the
lesson to make it work for you.
• Snacks will be provided by Life Church (RoldGold Pretzels and water)
• Set-up
•
•
•
•
•
Be on time. Arrive by 9:45am (Sun) or 4:30pm (Sat)
Unpack your supplies from the bins that are in your room
Find your nametag lanyard at the welcome table and put it on
Meet for a quick time of prayer at 10:00am (Sun) or 4:45pm (Sat)
Be in your room ready for families to arrive by 10:15 am (Sun) or 4:50 (Sat)
Your room leader will meet with you at the designated arrival time of the first day
you are teaching to walk you through the specifics of set-up/tear-down
Basics.
• Teardown
• When all of the children are picked up please complete the following:
– Repack the supply bins from your room
– Remove the ceiling decorations and place them into the large bins
along with the table cloths and rugs (Sunday)
– Place all packed bins in the hallway
– Remove the signs and decorations from the ceiling in the hallway using
a ladder which is usually found by the elevator (Sunday)
Please note:
Hallway ceiling items are to be placed on top of the toys in the
Baby Life container.
– Pack up the Welcome Table items into the bin located underneath it
(including nametag lanyards, and hooks from all ceiling decor)
SATURDAY ONLY
– Wipe down the tables with a Clorox wipe
– Pack up all toys where they originated from
Curriculum.
ORANGE
Starting November 2012
www.whatisorange.org
FIRST LOOK is the part of the Orange
curriculum designed for Baby Life through
Kinder Life. This curriculum gives preschoolers
their first impression of their loving heavenly
father.
For these 5 years, there is a consistent
focus on Three Basic Truths:
God made me.
God loves me.
Jesus wants to be my friend forever.
Parents are informed and involved.
Orange.
• How to Log-In to the website:
– www.whatisorange.org
– Click on LOGIN in upper right hand
corner
– Type in:
• USERNAME: klvolunteer
• PASSWORD: lifechurch
– Click on FIRSTLOOK to access
lessons for Baby Life, Toddler Life,
or Kinder Life
(A simplified version of the Toddler/Kinder
Life lesson will be e-mailed to you, so you
do not need to access the website unless
you are just wanting to do so)
– Click on BASICS 252 to access
lessons for Kids Life
First Look.Unpacked
• Each lesson will use a consistent structure and
consistent lingo:
– Make it Fun!
•
•
•
Each lesson has at least three options from which to choose.
Make It Fun helps introduce children to aspects of the upcoming Bible Story.
It welcomes and engages children.
– Make it True!
•
•
•
The Intro Sketch sets the stage for what they are going to learn and connects a
preschooler’s world to the Bible Story.
The Bible Story teaches them a story from God’s Word in a way that they can
understand and remember.
Worship is an opportunity for kids to tell God how much they love Him. It also
reinforces the Bible Story and bottom line as well as reviews the memory verse.
– Make it Stick
•
•
•
Reinforces the Bible Story.
Reinforces the Bottom Line.
Has activities that are active, crafty and sometimes delicious.
– Make it Real
•
•
•
Make It Real is designed to help preschoolers understand how the Bottom Line
applies to them.
Kids discuss real life experiences.
Children share prayer requests.
Baby Life. Newborn-2yr.
• Classroom Policies
– A female worker must be present in the room at all times
– Direct parents to sign in upon arrival and list any special instructions
– If a baby exhibits separation anxiety:
• Ask parents how they would feel most comfortable with the situation
• Follow their instructions (don’t be a hero)
– Labels are provided and are to be used as nametags for children and their items
– Diapers are to be changed in the designated changing area by a female
(only change poopy diapers)
– Cheerios are provided by Life Church (be sure parents okay this on the sign in
sheet prior to offering to baby)
– Direct parents to sign baby out after the service. Never let a child leave with
anyone other than a parent unless specifically communicated by the parent at
sign-in.
– After the service, disinfect all toys with spray and/or Clorox wipes and tear down
– Take off shoes before entering the room (Sat only)
– Encourage parents to take home the monthly handouts provided each week
– Read through and use the Monthly Lesson (more like “lesson”)
Baby Life.Curriculum
• Newborn - Crawling
– One-page guides will be in the
classroom for review each week
• Toddlers
– Two-page guides will be in the
classroom for review each week
– These guides suggest good ideas
for keeping older babies
entertained
– The toddler guide is to be used as
a reference, and will not always
be applicable based on the ages
or number of babies in the room
• Parent Time
– Copies of a monthly handout will
be in the room to send home with
parents
– Provides encouragement,
partnership, and additional
resources
BabyLife:MONTHLY HANDOUT
Toddler Life. 2 & 3 year olds
• Classroom Policies
– There must always be a female present on the teaching rotation for the comfort
of the children and guardians
– Direct parents to sign in upon arrival and list any special instructions
– If a child exhibits separation anxiety, follow the instructions of the parent to make
them feel most comfortable.
– Have children use hand sanitizer before entering the room
– Snack will be provided by Life Church due to allergy concerns
– Direct parents to sign children out after the service. Never let a child leave with
anyone other than a parent unless specifically communicated by the parent at
sign-in.
– Bathroom Expectations:
• Parents should be encourage to take their children to the bathroom before service
• Toddler Life will take a whole room bathroom break at 11:15am (Sun) or 5:30pm (Sat)
• If a child needs to use the bathroom at a different time, one adult should stay with the
class and one female adult should take at least two children with them to the bathroom.
There should never be one child with one adult in the bathroom alone. Ever.
Toddler Life.Curriculum
Each lesson will consist of the
follow components:
Make it Fun - Make it True - Make it Stick
(See Sample)
•At this age not all children will participate,
but most will want to be part of the fun.
• Life Church will supply everything the
lesson indicates as (provided). Teachers
are responsible to bring any additional
props the lesson includes (unless
specifically told that the props will be
provided)
• PREPARE! The lessons are simple, but
preparation is necessary.
• Encourage parents to pick up the monthly
Parent Cue handout which will be located
on the Welcome Table
Sample Lesson Plan
•
•
Welcome Time (until 10:50)
– Playdough/legos/puzzles/etc.
Make It Fun
(Choose one or all of these activities)
•
•
•
•
– My Friend
– Friendship Quilt
– Be a Friend
Make It True
– Worship
– Bible Story
Snack
– Pretzels and Water
Make It Stick/Craft
– One + One = Two, and/or
– New Friend
– We Get Together (song)
Dismiss
Kinder Life. 4 & 5 year olds
• Classroom Policies
– There must always be a female present on the teaching rotation for the comfort
of the children and guardians
– Direct parents to sign in upon arrival and list any special instructions
– If a child exhibits separation anxiety, follow the instructions of the parent to make
them feel most comfortable.
– Have children use hand sanitizer before entering the room
– Snack will be provided by Life Church due to allergy concerns
– Direct parents to sign children out after the service. Never let a child leave with
anyone other than a parent unless specifically communicated by the parent at
sign-in.
– Bathroom Expectations:
• Parents should be encourage to take their children to the bathroom before service
• Kinder Life will take a whole room bathroom break at 11:00am (Sun) or 5:30pm (Sat)
• If a child needs to use the bathroom at a different time, one adult should stay with the
class and one female adult should take at least two children with them to the bathroom.
There should never be one child with one adult in the bathroom alone. Ever.
Kinder Life.Curriculum
SAMPLE LESSON PLAN
Each lesson will consist of the follow
components: (See Sample)
Make it Fun
Make it True
Make it Stick
Make it Real
• Life Church will supply everything the lesson
indicates as (provided). Teachers are responsible to
bring any additional props the lesson includes
(unless specifically told that the props will be
provided)
• PREPARE! The lessons are simple, but
preparation is necessary.
• Encourage parents to pick up the monthly Parent
Cue handout which will be located on the Welcome
Table
•
Welcome Time (through 10:45)
–
•
Playdough/games/books
Make It Fun (
Choose one or all of these activities.)
–
–
–
•
Make It True
–
–
–
•
Worship
Introductory Sketch
Bible Story
Snack
–
•
Good Friend
Basketball
My Match
Pretzels and Water
Make It Stick – CRAFT
(Choose as many of these activities as you like.)
–
–
•
I Am Your Friend, or
Friendship Bracelets
Make It Real
–
–
–
Memory Verse (Memory verse
Prayer
Dismiss
ToddlerLife/KinderLife: Monthly Handouts
Parent Cue: A monthly handout that
shows the memory verses and gives
parents ideas of how to reinforce the
lesson at home
Take Home Activity: A monthly takehome activity for families to use
KidsLife. 1
st
– 5th Grade
• Classroom Policies
– Kidslife children will be in the adult service for Worship.
After worship, kids will meet at the back of the sanctuary to
go upstairs with the Kidslife leader
– Kids will be expected to follow the 3Rs
• Respect your teacher
• Respect your neighbor
• Respect your savvy self
– If children do not practice the 3Rs they will get a “strike.”
– If a child gets 3 Strikes then one leader will take them back
to their parents and they will have to explain why they had
to leave.
Kids Life. Curriculum
252 BASICS
•
252 Basics uses Luke 2:52 as a framework to help kids grow up as
Jesus did:
– Luke 2:52 says: “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with
God and men”.
•
The first thing we want kids to discover is: FAITH
– We want our kids to discover and embrace a growing relationship with Jesus
Christ.
– We’ll engage and encourage kids to respond to what they learn about who God is and
to celebrate what He has done for them through worship and prayer.
– We want kids to decide: I can trust God no matter what.
•
We’re going to help kids discover: WISDOM
– We’ll establish the Bible as the source of wisdom and truth.
– Kids need to know what God says so they can make the wise choice.
– It’s in the story of God that we discover the character of God.
As kids apply wisdom to their lives, God’s character is seen in them and influences
others around them.
– We want kids to decide: I need to make the wise choice.
...
Kids Life.Curriculum (Continued)
252 BASICS
• The final thing we want kids to discover is: FRIENDSHIP
– We’ll encourage healthy friendships where kids are given opportunities to share
and pray for each other.
– We want kids to engage in spiritual conversation where they can ask questions
and discover real answers.
– We want to encourage kids to spend time alone with Jesus during the week
since He wants to be their friend and help them grow to be more like Him.
– We want to challenge kids to internalize the principles in the Bible story and
reflect God’s character (virtue) in how they treat others.
– We want kids to decide: I should treat others the way I want to be treated.
252 Basics. Extra Documents
2012-2013
Overview
Website
Navigation
Large &
Small Group
Resources
Kids Life: WEEKLY HANDOUTS
For Parents:
For Kids:
If.
• If a guardian fails to pick up their child:
–
Call the parents cell or have both teachers walk the child to them.
• If there is a fire:
– Have children hold hands. Teachers should then escort children to the nearest
exit.
– Baby Life: Kids Life teachers will come over and help with baby evacuation.
– Room leaders will come and check all classrooms to make sure everyone has
made it out safely.
• If there is an emergency:
– First, asses and manage the situation
– Then, call 911 and/or parents cell
Final Thoughts.
• Let your room leader know if you ever have any comments or
concerns
• Remember to prepare mentally (lesson planning) and spiritually
(through prayer) prior to serving.
• Have fun and remember how gracious kids are 
• Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedules to
make this a priority. Our desire is to set you up to win every single
week as you serve our children. We really believe that as you
continue to serve, you will find over time that you usually GET more
from our children than you can ever GIVE. What a privilege it is to
have the opportunity to partner with parents each week to introduce
our youngest church attendees to their loving, heavenly Father.
We’re not just babysitting here, friends. We are spending time
engaging with children in order to introduce them to the wonder of
the God who made them and loves them so much. Thanks again for
being a part of our team! (and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again…)