Ages

Mental

Emotional

Social

2-3

-attention span 3-4 minutes longer when he enjoys

-short memory

-Actions & objects much easier to understand than words

-Confuse real & imaginary

-Believes all you say

-Able to choose between two possibilities Can follow two different directions

-Extremely curious

-Ritualistic: needs order in daily routines Repetition

-Doesn't understand teasing

-Meets frustration with crying, kicking, biting

-Meets correction with temper outbursts

-Completely self-centered

-Willing to conform

-With guidance, recognizes others' rights and waits briefly for own turn

-Imitates parents in worship

-Attitudes toward others, authority, parents, & God is formed in these years

-Wants to help & please

-Nervous system sensitive to over-stimulation by noise and confusion

4-5

-Have attention span of between 5-10 minutes

-Reasoning is based on appearance, observation powers not accurate

-No understanding of cause and effect

-Unable to consider the motivation behind action

-Fantasy is at its height Has a great imagination

-Learns to develop attitudes concerning right and wrong

-Tries to sort out real from what is pretend

-Aware of what people think and say about him Fears people laughing at him

-Enjoys obedience and thrives on praise

-Imitates adults

-Leadership is beginning to show and tends to be bossy

-Can learn to share with one or two others

-Learning to understand fairness

6-8

-Have attention span of 15-20 minutes

-Are concrete and literal minded

-Have little realization of chronological sequence

-Tells you exactly how he feels: sick, happy, or miserable

-Thrives on praise and acceptance

-He exercises his feelings rather than self-control

-Self-confidence in his ability to know what and how things are done

-Are concerned about group acceptance

-Likes to assert himself. Wants to be first, best, biggest and to win

-Can begin to give of self. Starts to demonstrate generosity and kindness

-Protective attitude toward younger children

9-12

-Have attention span of 30-45 minutes

-Likes to be challenged

-Can learn abstract concepts like sin

-Growing understanding of principles behind rules

-Self-righteously & rigidly applies his code of rules

-Sensitive to his own failures and shortcomings

-Able to see own actions & motives objectively

-Able to analyze failures & makes plans to act change

-They want to join, to become affiliated with the beliefs and values of the important adults in their lives

-Can begin to sacrifice self-interest for others

-Can learn not to compare himself with others

Age

What To Do And Expect

0-1

Focus on food, rocking & movement, a soft toy will provide eye and touch stimulation. Clean up any mess. You are setting a good example and are encouraging many.

1-2

Continue with above except for food. Begin practicing to sit still. Don't let them wander around reserve soft toys for assembly time only. Remember your actions are teaching your children!

2-3

Can learn to sit quietly, sing, pray & give. Teach to face forward. Teach your children that we are here because we want to be.

3-4

Can learn to go to washroom before assembly. Bring less toys & more books. Teach them to keep their hands to themselves. Teach them 'we' are here to learn about God.

5

A clipboard with a pen that clicks closed will keep them occupied. Don't allow them to draw until the preacher begins his sermon. Teach them that 'they' are here to learn about God.

6

Buy easy read Bible as they begin grade 1. Child can start listening to the preacher. Have them check each time a certain word is used in sermon. Ask the preacher for this word. Teach them that they can only learn about God if they will listen.

7

Can be taught to listen. Ask questions after service about what they learned. Talk about lesson with them. Be positive & encourage them. Teach them they need to learn how to use Bible.

8+

The children can be expected to pay full attention, even taking notes. Teach them that they can find out the answers to their questions and their problems from God's Word.