BOUNDARIES BRING FREEDOM

A contradiction of terms you might think! Boundaries bringing freedom?

The truth of the matter is that children need healthy boundaries to function and grow! Especially preschoolers and early primary children thrive when they have healthy boundaries that they understand and respect. It is also no use having boundaries, but not having a just penalty to go with it. What use are boundaries without consequences?

WHAT I am in Sunday School not school? I can nor implement boundaries with consequences! Hm mm . .  Really? Who implemented and gave boundaries from the start? God did! We are teaching children and they need to know that there are safety in boundaries.

Preschoolers are very independent people. They need boundaries to help them know that there are times that I need to work with the groups, and times when I can play on my own. If they don't respect the time you have around the Word of God, how do we expect them to respect the Bible or the authorities over them?

Pull-up a few boundaries that suite your environment e.g.:

• Boundary: When this chime rings - it is story time. We all need to move to the story time carpet and sit in a circle facing the teacher.
• Consequence: If we do not work together, we will not receive our sweet packets at the end of class.
• Boundary: We show respect by listening to the teacher when she talks. Not talking when she talks and listening well. We also show respect when we only talk when passed the ball or asked a question.
• Consequence: We have a ball that is going to be passed to you if you put up your hand. If you talk during story time without the ball, you will not receive the sweet packet at the end of class.
• Boundary - older primary children: We show respect by putting up our hands if we want to say something. Wait until you are asked before you speak.
• Consequence: If you shout out you group will lose points. The winner group will all receive milkshakes at the end of this term.

THING TO KEEP IN MIND FOR DISCIPLINE:

• Unspoken boundaries are unfair boundaries.
• Boundaries need consequences.
• Consequences need to be fair and appropriate.
• Consequences should be implemented always, not only when you are in a bad mood.
• Remember the learning styles of children:
• Use visual aids.
• Use movement.
• Use song.
• Use the senses.
• Know your children and their needs.
• Hungry children can't focus, give them something to eat.
• Shivering children can't focus.
• Take your environment into consideration.

Teach them in FREEDOM give them BOUNDARIES!