Teaching can begin the moment a child enters the room, using a learning activity designed especially for early-arrivers. Suggestions are often included in curriculum materials for such situations. LifeWay’s Leader Guides for children’s teachers include a “Preview” activity for each session which is designed to engage early arrivers. Teachers can get the children started on the Preview activity, and then go on with their last-minute preparations for class as the children complete the activity.

            If your materials do not suggest early arriver activities, you can easily pull together some unused activities from previous sessions to have available for the children. Bible skills games are always appropriate to use in this situation, so keep some on hand to pull out when needed. You should plan to arrive before the children, so that you are ready to interact with them or start them on a learning activity.

            Finally, take advantage of that time to relate one-on-one with those children. Look at it as an opportunity to get to know them more personally. The relationship that a teacher builds with a child is the most important part of teaching!