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"In this sense, teaching and parenting children is an act of worship that is pleasing to God."
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About This Resource Have you ever just watched and listened to the boys and girls in your group as they enjoy their activities? As a parent, have you sat back and enjoyed watching and listening to your child or children? If so, you are well aware of how they differ from one another as well as how they are similar. If not, you are encouraged to do so during your next session, or stop now and go enjoy your children. God has truly blessed you with the opportunity to teach and/or parent today’s children. You have the timeless opportunity to influence the leaders of tomorrow as you guide your boys and girls during these important years. In fact, the children in your group or home today will take Jesus Christ to a world you will never know. God is using everything you are doing with them to guide your children to lay spiritual foundations that will last their lifetimes. Upon these spiritual foundations they will let God minister through them to their world. Why should you take the time to watch and listen to your boys and girls? They are sending you messages and signals that help you understand the way God made them. God created each one of them in His image and to glorify Him. In this sense, teaching and parenting children is an act of worship that is pleasing to God. In addition, God is teaching you how to teach and parent your children. He has given you these children as gifts with the promise to guide you to be the best parent and/or teacher. That is what this book is about. It is designed to be a tool for both parents and teachers in understanding the common characteristics and needs that God gives all children. This book also provides insights and suggestions in accepting and helping children deal with various life situations in which they might find themselves. Through prayer, God will help you understand each unique child and his unique life situation. When you understand your children individually the way God created them and their life situations, you are truly able to let God use you in their lives. For example, when you accept that children are sensitive, you will know to teach them in ways that allow them to stay in their comfort zones. God made them to be sensitive, so why would you get upset when a child gets upset over something trivial from your perspective? With this understanding, carefully plan learning opportunities that will avoid making a child feel uncomfortable. Consequently, effective teaching and parenting are based on a positive understanding of the way God created boys and girls and their life situations. AppreciationThe author of this resource is Dr. Jerry Aldridge. He is a member of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, where he directs The Happy Singers choir for persons with disabilities. Jerry is a popular author and conference leader throughout the Southern Baptist Convention. Professionally, Jerry is the coordinator of early childhood education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He has a B.S. degree from Livingston University, an M.A. in special education, an M.A. in early childhood education, an educational specialist degree (ED.S.), and an Ed.D from the University of Alabama. After completing his doctorate, Jerry completed further study at Clemson University, Bank Street College, Samford University, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Aldridge not only serves his church and university, but he is also an active member of several professional organizations. He is currently the president of the United States National Committee of the World Organization for Early Childhood Education. He serves on the publications committee of the Association for Childhood Education International. He is the State of Alabama early childhood education subject matter specialist where he reviews all early childhood education teacher education programs for the State Department of Education. In 1997, Dr. Aldridge won the President’s Award for Excellence in Classroom Teaching for the School of Education at UAB. He has also been included in Outstanding Young Men of American and was elected twice to the Birmingham Jaycee’s Congress of Outstanding Young Citizens. He has been quoted in Parenting Magazine, The Chicago Sun Times, USA Today, and he has appeared on the Health News Network and CNN Headline News. Many thanks to the group of Southern Baptist leaders of children who designed and guided the development of this resource: Vickie Allen, LifeWay Christian Resources (Music) Skip Arnhart, North American Mission Board (Evangelism) Pamela Boucher, LifeWay Christian Resources (Pastor-Staff) Rob Carr, North American Mission Board (Mission Education) John Garner, LifeWay Christian Resources (Recreation) Deane Hartzell, LifeWay Christian Resources (CrossPoint) Curtis Honts, LifeWay Christian Resources (Sunday School) Martha Kirkland, LifeWay Christian Resources (Music) Judy Latham, LifeWay Christian Resources (Sunday School) Cindy Lutz, LifeWay Christian Resources (Magazines) Jan Marler, LifeWay Christian Resources (Discipleship Training) Barbara Massey, Woman’s Missionary
Union Susan Morehead, LifeWay Christian Resources
Joye Smith, Woman’s Missionary Union
Ken Thomas, LifeWay Christian Resources (CrossPoint) Anne Tonks, LifeWay Christian Resources (Sunday School) Lynne Weaver, LifeWay Christian Resources (Marketing) Suggestions for Ways to Use This Resource As you read and study each article, consider your own children. You will not find pictures of children in this resource because we want to provide you with an inexpensive tool for developing your teaching skills. We also want you to think of your children. To enhance your experience with this book, take pictures of your boys and girls as a group then individually. Lay the pictures on the table nearby as you read the articles. As a parent, you probably have many pictures to use for this purpose. As you read an article, apply the discussion to each child. How does the information relate to him or her? Use the discussion to prompt a desire to know more about each child. As you reflect on each discussion, you will find questions to guide your reflection. In order to meet your needs as parents and teachers, you have choices as to how you will engage this resource. Some of you have access to the Internet and enjoy learning from electronic media. Others of you prefer print material that you can see, touch, and smell. In addition, as a church leader, you may want to consider using this resource in bits and pieces instead of giving your teachers the entire resource at one time. Whatever your approach, select one or more of the following options for using this resource: Download: An Adobe Acrobat version of this resource may be downloaded at no cost. You are welcome to make copies for others in your church or school. Or print out specific articles as you need them. You will need a copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to view/print this version. Text: A text is available for $5.95 plus shipping (ISBN 0633013765). Call 1-800-458-2772 to order. Please allow three weeks for printing and shipping. As you use this resource, resist the temptation to compare the boys and girls. Development in all areas has a wide range for what is considered “normal.” This wide range means children will develop skills at their own rates and in their own ways. The more you understand each child, the more effective you will be as a parent and teacher for each individual child. Leadership Development Resource SeriesThis resource is part of a series of leadership resources designed to equip teachers and parents as they let God use them in the lives of children. The information you will explore in this resource answers the “who” and “why” questions. Who do we teach? Why do we teach the way we do? The “what” question will always be answered with the Bible. The Bible guides us in becoming Christlike in all that we do and say. It is our source of information that leads us to our living Lord. The resources listed below that help teachers and parents learn “how” to teach children. They are the basic teaching books that provide information about the teaching methods that work well at home and at church. You will also find below the resources that answer the “when” and “where” questions regarding teaching children. These are the administration resources for the various ministries that assist parents in guiding their children to God. In addition to this resource and the Bible, additional resources are listed below and are available by calling 1-800-458-2772: Parents: Children’s Choir: Children in ActionSM: Discipleship Training: Girls in Action®: Mission KidsSM: Royal Ambassadors: Sunday School: |
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