What do you do in a Sunday service which isn’t designed for children so parents and carers can help their kids engage?
Session 2.2 · Note 5
Helping Children Engage in Adult Services
Many of us will have the situation where there are babies, children and/or young people present for the whole of a service that doesn’t seem designed for them. It might be your normal experience, or you might have special services such as Christmas services or baptisms. As children, young people and family leaders or volunteers, we might not have much control over the service, but there are still things we can do to encourage and equip parents and carers to help their kids engage.
The previous questions in this section will be helpful. In addition, in this particular scenario, some or all of the following might be helpful:
Key Ideas
- If you are able to, talk to the service leader in advance about ideas to support the parents and carers.
- If you have an area where parents and carers can sit with kids, for example a side chapel or children’s corner, let people know it’s available as you welcome them. Make it as comfortable for both adults and children as possible.
- Consider giving out pew packs - an earlier question in this section had a list of ideas for things to include.
- Consider creating service booklets with an order of service, but also things for children or young people to look out for in the church or during the service.
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