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Are you a children’s teacher who struggles with keeping children’s attention? Check out these 6 easy steps to a children’s ministry reward system.
Do you struggle to get everyone involved, engaged, and participating in the lesson? Do you desire to have kids bring their Bible, a friend, or complete an activity at home?
I had trouble with the kids in our church paying attention, staying in their seats, or not wanting to participate in an activity. Oftentimes, they saw the Bible story component of the lesson as something they needed to “get through” so we could move on to the fun stuff.
A Reward System Is A Great Children’s Ministry Tool
After a few Sundays, I noticed while teaching our kids that if there was a reward on the line, even as simple as a mini chocolate bar, the kids would be more engaged and attentive. On these Sundays, we could make it through the lesson with minimal disruption.
Can you imagine if:
- kids were excited to come to class and hear the lesson!
- kids were engaged in the lesson!
- kids were working together to answer the questions and participate in the activities!
- volunteers were motivated and excited to try new things in a lesson instead of just trying to get through it!
- kids were celebrated and felt special because of what they contributed!
- kids were the ones asking their parents to take them to church because they didn’t want to miss a Sunday!
So, we decided to launch a rewards system for our children’s ministry. With our rewards system, we were able to see all the “imagine ifs … ” become “isn’t it awesome that … ”, and I think you could too!
How To Create & Develop A Rewards System In Your Church
1. Decide On Your Method Of Reward
Will you use coins, paper bills, or a reward card?
I created a special reward card, like the kind you receive from different restaurants.
This seemed like the most cost-effective method as it was just printed out on cardstock.
Some of you might have coins or paper bills in your storage area from years past that you could use.
2. Choose Rewards That Are Easy To Earn
How will they earn a reward?
The key to a successful reward system is that the rewards are easy to earn. We want the children to walk out of the class feeling good about themselves and have a positive experience. You know your kids best, so choose rewards you believe they can achieve.
If you are using a rewards system to redirect behaviours, have a reward for those behaviors (i.e., a reward for listening and participating in the lesson).
Be careful not to single out any child. For example, offering a reward for everyone sitting nicely on their chair, but you know “Johnny” will never sit in a chair, so he will never get that reward.
Further examples: For the preschoolers, they received a reward for attending class, for finishing their coloring page/activity, and for listening and participating.
For the elementary age, they received a reward for attending class, for listening and participating, and for bringing their Bible.
Everyone received at least one reward every Sunday.
Looking for a step-by-step guide to starting or restarting your children’s ministry?
Check out the Children’s Ministry Bundle For Small Churches!
3. Choose Rewards That Are Special
What is a prize they are willing to work towards?
Choose prizes that they are excited about. These can be prizes from the dollar store, Oriental Trading Company, Amazon, or Walmart.
For the older kids, they were working towards a pizza party, and then a sundae party. This caused them to work harder together because they wanted to succeed!
You can choose to have prizes that are a certain amount, like 1-20 coins/bills, or maybe they get a prize once they have completed a card.
4. Choose A Place For The Reward To Be Displayed
Do you have a bulletin board or some space on a wall you can use to create a display?
If the rewards are displayed and kept at the church, this helps not only you and your leaders to keep track of the rewards. It also helps to ensure that the children do not “lose” their reward or create another thing for parents to keep track of. The children can also see and keep track of their rewards, and it serves as a visual reminder to hand out the rewards during class time.
If you decide to use coins or bills, create a display with envelopes. The kids can decorate their envelopes, and then you can use tacks, or velcro to stick them to the wall. When you stick them up, make sure the flap (back) side is facing the front (and the tack underneath the flap). This ensures you can put the rewards in without having to take them off the display each time.
A Word Of Caution: Rewards can sometimes set up a system where children feel like “winners” or “losers.” However, rewards used well can build community and positivity instead! It’s important not to create a “less than” feeling for visitors or for children whose parents don’t bring them consistently. Many churches opt to give daily rewards instead of allowing them to add up for individual children because of this issue. Or they choose to celebrate the entire class with the rewards that “add up” over time. Know your church culture, your families, and your children –– and always keep relationships first!
5. Choose How The Rewards Are Celebrated
When will you hand out the rewards?
Choose the best time to give out the rewards during your programming.
It will most likely be near the end; however, you don’t have to be rushing because parents have already shown up and taken their kids. I like to start the rewards after the first kid finishes their craft or activity. I would go over the morning and give all the rewards for a certain category together, instead of by child. This kept their attention for longer. This is also a great time to give compliments and celebrate each of the kids in your church! Remember, you know your children the best and what listening and participating looks like for them. Not every kid is the same, so praise each child.
How will the children receive their prizes?
Will you give out prizes every Sunday, or will there be a special “store”/ reward Sunday? Will it be at the end of the month, once every couple of months, or can they get a prize every Sunday?
It is totally up to you, and how you want to structure your rewards program.
Take a few minutes to think through the kids who show up to your church.
Are they consistent? Do you want to create buzz around a “rewards” Sunday? Is it important that they are rewarded that day?
Remember, you can always try it out one way and change it later.
6. Have A Reward System That Is Clearly Communicated
Do you have a rotation of teachers and leaders?
Make sure to communicate with volunteers the why, what, how, and when of that rewards system. The best way to make sure it is successful is by making sure everyone is on the same page. Share your vision and the why of the rewards program. Also, make sure to take time to develop the heart that every child should leave feeling successful and proud, not defeated.
Communicate With Parents
Let them know about this exciting rewards system you are launching, and ask them to celebrate and partner with you! Share the vision behind it and how their child will earn rewards and prizes.
Try A Reward System This Sunday
Why not try it out this Sunday? You don’t have to roll out an entire program this week, but you can start with one incentive, be it a treat or a prize, and see how the children in your church respond.
Remember, you don’t need to wait until you have the perfect plan or the “right” time.
The right time is now because you only have a limited amount of Sundays with these kids! Wouldn’t you like to find a way to get them excited and engaged with the lesson?
You can do it! The kids in your ministry are worth it!
Looking for a step-by-step guide to starting or restarting your children’s ministry?
Check out the Children’s Ministry Bundle For Small Churches!
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