Anybody who has taught a classroom full of three and four-year-olds during Sunday School has dealt with crying children. It seems that not all children are thrilled about the idea of being dumped off in a classroom with an adult they don't know, and children they do not know. Even if your child is familiar with the class surroundings, there is a reason for the crying, and finding out the reason can be a huge help to the teacher and to your child's well being.
It is difficult for a Sunday School teacher to deal with children who cry, but it is also difficult for you as a parent to know that your child is the one causing all the chaos. If you are a parent of a crying preschooler, here are some things that may help you, your child, and the teacher.
Know That Kids Do Cry
The first thing you should understand is that children do cry and most children go through some sort of separation anxiety. Whether you are taking them to preschool or taking them to Sunday School, your child is not the only one that is crying. If it is separation anxiety, then the best thing that you can do is to work with your child and the teacher to work out a solution. Brief goodbyes are always best. Assure your child that you will make a speedy return and that he will have fun in the class. Your child's teacher has probably dealt with the situation before and will have activities to keep your child busy during class. It may take a few times, but eventually your child will learn that you will return and they will start to have fun during Sunday School.
Talk To the Teacher
If you find that your child is still crying during Sunday School for no apparent reason, then it is time to not only talk to your child, but to talk to the teacher as well. Many times children cry for a particular reason. Perhaps they have had a bad experience in the classroom, maybe another child hit him or threw a toy at him. Children have a way of remembering these things for a long time, and it may cause your child to have anxiety about going back to the class. Talk to your child and find out if this is the reason why he cries during Sunday School. Don't hesitate to discuss the matter with the teacher as well. The teacher may offer some insights on why your child does not want to return to the class.
Help Out in the Classroom
If all else fails, and your child is still crying every time he goes to class, then you might want to consider helping out in the classroom. Perhaps your child just needs reassurance that you are there and helping out a few times may ease those fears. Helping out in the classroom may also show you more about what is going on in the classroom and what is causing anxiety with your child. You can be sure that your child's teacher would love to have you help out.
Many times children who cry in Sunday School just need a little reassurance and a little time to overcome their fears. Hopefully these tips will help you and your child have a peaceful Sunday at church.
Author Resource:-
Denise Oliveri has been teaching Sunday School for the past 13 years. She is the owner of Preschool Sunday School Central, a leading online resource for preschool Sunday School teachers.
Stop by Preschool Sunday School Central and see the array of free resources and eBooks that you can purchase at eBook Central. They are guaranteed to make your lesson planning much easier.
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