Monday, September 25, 2023

Helping Kids Stay Engaged at the Assembly - Tips for Parents

Paradise tote with apple, pencils, and assembly workbook

If you're a parent, you know how assemblies can feel like a marathon for young minds! The energy, the curiosity - it's a challenge to channel it towards learning at the circuit assembly. We applaud you for taking on this important endeavor. We've got you covered with some tips that even the most fidgety kids will find hard to resist. Let's dive into it!

8 Tips for Assembly Day

  1. Create a Routine: Before the assembly, make sure your little ones have had plenty of sleep, a good breakfast, and are wearing their most comfortable dress clothes. Being well-rested and well-fed will help your child stay focused - and it might just save you from a mid-assembly meltdown!
  2. Set Realistic Expectations: Let's be realistic: even adults get restless during long talks! How thankful we are that the program is filled with videos and experiences, to keep us focused. If we even have trouble focusing, we want to be realistic about our children's attention span. Instead of hoping your child will sit through the entire assembly without a peep, set realistic and age-appropriate expectations.
  3. lunch boxes full of food
  4. Involve Them in the Prep: Make assembly day special by involving your child in preparations. Help them pack a bag with snacks, water, pencil crayons, and a notebook. Build excitement! Show your child how much you appreciate the Assemblies.
  5. Provide Positive Reinforcement: Be your child's biggest fan! Encourage them with a smile or a mini high-five when they take notes or are listening to the talk.
  6. Teach Active Listening: Turn the assembly into a two-way street with open-ended questions about the talks. Encourage your child to think about what they learn. You may be surprised by the depth of their insights.
  7. Model Good Behavior: Kids are copycats. Be the role model they need by showing enthusiasm and attentiveness during the assembly. Your child will likely follow your lead.
  8. The Post-Assembly Debrief: After the assembly, use the drive home to chat about what they've learned. Reinforce key points and encourage them to apply the lessons they learned. Remember to share what you learned too!
  9. Use Resources Designed for Kids: There is nothing like a good activity book to make assembly time more fun and note-taking enjoyable. Our activity books are tailor-made for kids. We created two options for different age groups: ages 3-9, or ages 8-15. They are packed with fun educational activities related to the assembly's theme and will help your child stay focused.

Resources from Ministry Ideaz

Now that we've explored some general tips for keeping kids engaged during assemblies, let's take a look at some specific resources that can make this task easier and more enjoyable. Our activity notebooks and journals, designed for kids aged 3-9 and 8-15, are filled with fun and educational activities that align with the themes of the "Eagerly Wait for Jehovah" and "Enter Into God's Rest" assemblies. These notebooks do not replace the nourishing spiritual food of the assembly. Instead, they encourage the child to think about what they are learning.

For Young Kids (Ages 3-9)

assembly workbook for ages 3 to 9

Filled with puzzles, coloring pages, and activities, these JW activity books will help your child follow along with the program. Each assembly has its own specially designed workbook! Sticker activities are great for the little ones - including the "Listening Game". This game is included for each talk, encouraging kids to listen for keywords during the talk.

Order now >

For Pre-teens and Teens (Ages 8-15)

assembly activity book for youths

Made for older kids, these assembly workbooks encourage young ones to examine what they learn and put it into practice. Self-reflection questions and "quizzes" related to the talk themes are included throughout the workbook. The JW assembly workbooks also include emoji-style stickers. Make note-taking fun!

Order now >

Assembly Supplies with a Purpose

At Ministry Ideaz, our assembly supplies are thoughtfully crafted with a purpose. We focus on making note-taking simple and effective - enabling you to capture key points with ease. We recognize the value of practical tools that support learning and engagement during assembly sessions. Our children's workbooks are designed to enhance the experience by making it easier for kids to take age-appropriate notes and ponder what they've learned. They serve as companions, not replacements, for the spiritual gems they find at the assembly - making the experience more accessible and enjoyable for young attendees.

What is your favorite feature of our assembly notebooks? What features would you like to see in the future? What tips have worked for you? Do you have a favorite assembly routine?

No comments:

Post a Comment