I am freaking out.

[supermagdalena]

Please pray for me these next few weeks. I'm helping to teach VBS at my church, and at my first session to teach I botched the lesson, not to mention my lack of child-magnetism. It's also an opportune time for Satan to exploit my weaknesses, and he is. I feel sick. I have a session at six tonight and I'm so terrified of screwing up again, and being the one that doesn't get along with kids.

 

[PuppyforChrist]

I know what you mean. I'm not too great with kids myself. I'll pray for you!

 

[Mr.Cheese]

Hang in there.
Last year my wife volunteered us for preschool recreation.
If I can get through that, you can do anything.
*hug*
Smile a lot and dont' take yourself too seriously.

 

[psycmajor]

ing

 

[Jenndiggy]

Hey, here's a tip if you're teaching young children. . . they do not sit still for anything.

I failed royally my first night of teaching Kindergardners, and by the second night I learned the key was not to have a lesson where they sat and I talked. To split the lesson up throughout the evening. Like Tell the story in 3 lines. Then later ask a question about what I said earlier and tell a little more. They learned better that way, and I could do things like take them outside for a 'wiggle song' like "I may never march in the infantry" and before I told them what we were going to sing, tell 30 seconds more of the Bible lesson that night. I think they remembered more.

One of our memory verses was "Rejoice in the Lord Always, again I say rejoice" so I got out the box of play musicial instruments and taught it to them in the song. The noise was horrid, but they were dancing with the tamborines and triangles and had a blast -- and learned it.

Of course ideas like that work best with younger kids. Don't be afraid to do 'non-traditional' stuff when teaching -- having a puppet teach the lesson, etc.

Editied to add: I went to tons of VBSs when I was little -- the only thing to do in this area in the summers -- at least when I was little. It may not sound like much of a comfort to you, but most likely 20 years from now, the kids won't remember the lessons, but they will remember you and the time you spent with them. I remember so many VBS teachers and how great they were. The thing is, make it fun for them, teach what you can, but remember, they are in church, and usually lots of non-church kids come to VBS. Its something they'll remember forever.

 

[supermagdalena]

Thanks y'all. My last VBS today went great. We all had a great time, and I didn't let my team down. I still feel sick though. Two more days.

Then of course I go to Mexico and we do the same thing.

 

[bravesaz]

You didn't say what age group you were teaching. The advice that has already been given is great. Years ago, I taught Sunday School for 4 year olds! Lots of fun and I probably learned more than they did! One thing I did was deliberately mess up a story that I knew they knew. For example, when telling the story about Noah and the Ark, I would say it was Moses. They would be quick to correct me and think it was neat that they knew more than me. Don't be afraid to take the story and put it in words and language that the kids will understand. An example of this would be the one about the Jesus feeding the multitudes. I took a box of goldfish crackers and gave just ONE to one of the kids. I handed them a plastic knife and asked them to divide that one fish into enough pieces so that everyone could have some! When it proved impossible to do, I brought out the box and gave each child crackers, all the while telling them the story.

Most of all, be creative with HOW you tell the story. The kids will love you for it.

 

[supermagdalena]

It's kind of all age groups. But thanks for y'all's advice, it's gone great so far today!

 

[ZiSunka]

praying!