Ten Tips

On Helping Kids Welcome Kids

by Sandy Galea

1. 01

   Teach your child (from scripture) that they have two families - the one they were born into and God’s big family (our church family). Every member of our church family is important and special. And in God’s family the colour of our skin or the family we grew up in is not important. What’s important is our love for Jesus.

2. 02

   Talk about what it might be like to come into a new church and not know anyone.

   • How might a new child feel?
   • Who won’t they know?
   • What won’t they know?
3. 03

   Role play with your child about how to welcome a new child.

   • Step 1: Look them in the eye.
   • Step 2: Smile.
   • Step 3: Say, “Hi my name is... What’s your name? Would you like to come and play?”
4. 04

   Regularly ask your child, ‘Was there anyone new at Kids Church today?’ If they can’t identify new children, continue to point #5.

5. 05

   Think of ways to help your child identify children who may not feel like they belong. Stop and look around and ask:

   • Who is sitting by themselves?
   • Who looks sad?
   • Who looks lonely?
6. 06

   Invite a new family to join your family on a picnic, for an ice-cream, to come and play in a local park.

7. 07

   Praise your child when you see them making an effort with a new child, or making an effort with a child sitting by themselves during morning tea.

8. 08

   Your child may not be new, but he/she may still feel like they don’t belong. Talk to your child’s leaders about children in your child’s group whom he/she may connect with. Get to know the parents of those children. Go back to #6 and think of ways you can connect with these families outside of Kids Church. Sometimes one picnic is all it takes for your child to feel connected to other children at church.

9. 09

   Every time your child sees you welcome someone, you teach them to have God’s heart for those new to our church.

10. 10

    Be real about your fears and struggles in this area.

by Sandy Galea