Praise>Money

Tim Sanders has a great blog that parents(that includes me) might want to take a look at. He highlights a Japanese study that finds that people prefer praise to cash in the hand !
At day camps and other such I have often implemented "caught you being good" awards. The awards are not cash ! Usually stickers our something that act as pseudo-praise. I think I'll make it everytime now.
I'm also going to be on a more careful watch to catch Clayton, my son, doing paraiseworthy stuff however small !
thanks Tim.

Taking it Home grades 3-4

Last Sunday I had the privilege of meeting with the parents of our grade 3s and 4s. (Teacher) Tessie shared with the parents some of the things the kids have been learning recently.

We talked about turning ORANGE ! orange is made by putting red and yellow together. We shared that yellow represents the light of the body of Christ as meet together as church, and red represents the warmth of home. Together we can do more than if work separately.

Parents were reminded that we're on their team - so to use us, to dial us in to their children's lives.

The parents with Tessie went onto plan a picnic for their group. Should be fun! I'm looking forward to joining up with them.

We told a story that highlighted using the Bible well - "George and the Umbrella" - reinforcing with a craft and of course we gave a resource. gave the kids a brand new Hermie Bible

And the children shall lead them !

God rocks ! - I guess you know that already! We have the greatest teachers and we partner with the best parents. I had one in today who told that her child S. had been reading Psalm 23. That wold be good by itself but she was reading to her non-christian friend in her room one day when the friend was over.
She also asked her mother if she could give her friend one of her own Bibles.

When was the last time we read a psalm to one of our non-Christian friends ? Let's follow S.'s example and expect/ask God to give us these opportunities too.

Tim Kimmel Coming to GTA

Do you want to know how to be a better parent ? I do I'm excited that the auther of Grace-based Parenting is coming to the GTA. If you're interested in going let me know and we'll be book together and get the group rate and maybe organise or coordinate transport. Our friends at Focus on the family have arranged for him to tour Canada adn he's coming to Carruthers Creek CHurch , Ajax on Sunday April 29 7pm. SO put it in your agendas - you won't want to miss this opportunity !

Sports and Kids

Christy over on Counting the days til Sunday highlights sports ministry as a place for us to learn from. As I coached Clayton's, my 8yr old son's, soccer team this summer I reflected on this as well. I didn't fully get the parent buy-in thing - but looking back there were parents there that made sure their kids were there and encouraged the kids. You could even tell the kids that had had practice at home during the week.

Of all the resources and opportunities that we've offered parents this year - the one that gets the most positive feedback was the 60-day Devotional - which the parents and kids are doing together. So it does seem that we have had some buy-in for that.

I'm glad becasue since we only see the kids for about 40 hours a year and the parents have so much more time - if we can help the parents use their time more regularly with their children to build spiritual champions - we all still win even if they don't buy into KIDSZONE and/or parent activities as much as they could.

So we want buy-in from the parents to KIDSZONE activities but the best buy-in is parents building spiritual champions at home.

"Faith Begins at Home" Chapter 2

After a successful FEAST (Families Eating And Sharing Together) in September we're ready the next one. SO Make sure you've read up on Chapter 2. The Parent Makeover.