Tips for the First-Time Teacher 
By Cindy Morris

So you’re teaching in the Preschool area in your church now! Congratulations for becoming a part of this ministry that lays foundations for faith in young children. Here are some helpful hints now that you are getting started:

• Pray. Your relationship with God is the most important aspect of guiding children toward Him. Similarly, your reliance on God’s leading as you plan and teach is the most important preparation you can make.
   
• Know the children you teach. Study the general characteristics for the age group you will be teaching. As you teach the children in your classroom, you will get to know their specific characteristics. This knowledge will help as you plan learning activities.
  

• Start planning early in the week. Begin with the personal Bible study in your leader guide. You can’t teach what you don’t know! This Bible study will prepare you personally and give God an opportunity to speak His directions to you. Take a look at the learning activities and resources needed. Begin to think of how you can use Bible conversation during learning activities. How will you reinforce the Life Application? Click here for a suggested schedule for lesson preparation. 
   
• Arrive EARLY! I like to arrive 20-30 minutes before class starts. This allows time to set up the classroom and create a good teaching environment. Be prepared to greet children at eye level when they come in the door. Express love in your greeting, and tell the child you are happy he came to church. Get any needed information from the parent, use the security system your church has in place, and help the child get settled into a learning activity.
   
• Be flexible, and take advantage of those “teachable moments” that will arise. The curriculum will suggest what to say and do as the children participate in learning activities, but with preschoolers there are plenty of “unscripted” opportunities to both speak and demonstrate biblical truths.
   
• Follow up with guests and absentees each week. A card or call lets children and their parents know you care about them, and a brief visit goes a long way toward building relationships that will let you share God’s love!
   
• Evaluate the classroom experience. Which learning activities were successful for using the Life Application? Should anything be done differently for group time? What did you learn about the children you teach?

Enjoy your experiences with preschoolers as you serve God in this important ministry!

Cindy Morris is a member of St. Andrews Baptist Church in Columbia, SC and directs the Childhood Ministry Group of the South Carolina Baptist Convention.