Pioneer Clubs eNewsletter Print version

May 2005

Dear Christian Leader,

Welcome to the latest edition of the Pioneer Clubs eNewsletter, where we provide resources to help you build your Pioneer Clubs ministry.

This month we would like to give you ideas for helping kids along the developmental journey that God created for them.

“Through its curriculum and supplementary materials,
the club program teaches
child development and Christian values.”

—Pioneer Clubs' Goal 4a

5 Ways to Help Kids in Their Intellectual and Social Development

1. Know club members' developmental stage.

Why?

Knowing general characteristics of your kids' age level will help you:

speak at their level
understand their behavior–for instance, are they misbehaving or just behaving normally for their age?
understand and use the age-appropriate teaching techniques in Pioneer Clubs curriculum
plan extra activities or events that are at the right level for your kids

How?

Review the age characteristics chart in your plan book. It helps you see what kids that age are like socially, emotionally, physically, intellectually, and spiritually.
Read a book or find a Web site that discusses more characteristics of different age levels.
Keep in mind that descriptions of age characteristics are generalizations. Allow for variations among your club members.

2. Consider multiple intelligences.

Why?

God gave different kids strengths and abilities in different areas. Some kids are "book smart." Some are good at sports. In fact, current learning theories recognize at least nine kinds of "smart":

musical-rhythmic intelligence
bodily-kinesthetic intelligence
logical/mathematical intelligence
verbal/linguistic intelligence
visual/spatial intelligence
interpersonal intelligence
intrapersonal intelligence
existential intelligence
naturalist intelligence

In club you'll want to affirm all these kids.

How?

To affirm every club member's "intelligences," you can do two things:

Use the variety of learning techniques provided in your plan book. Club members with high bodily-kinesthetic intelligence will thrive doing skits, kids with visual/spacial intelligence will love drawing, and so on.
When you plan extra activities, work for a balance of ones that appeal to the different intelligences. Don't always use worksheets for kids who arrive early. During a unit on nature, you might bring in bugs and magnifying glasses to let kids look at God's creativity, and your naturalist kids will really come to life. Or bring in simple rhythm instruments (spoons to tap, jars of dried beans to shake, etc.) and let club members make up rhythms or tunes for their memory verses, to pique the interest of your musical/rhythmic kids.

3. Promote higher levels of learning.

Why?

Kids need to learn good thinking skills. Learning facts is the starting point. Then you need to lead club members to higher levels of learning so they can begin to integrate the facts into their own worldview and actions.

How?

Bible Explorations are designed not as devotionals but as hands-on studies.
Look through Bible Explorations to find questions that help club members use higher levels of thinking: "Compare such-and-such..."; "How would you evaluate so-and-so's behavior?"; "How does this apply to your life?"
Encourage kids to question, test ideas, and express opinions.
Use the Application sections of Bible Explorations. Let kids choose a way to apply what they've learned in a way that fits where they are. For instance, an Application might ask kids to show appreciation for a family member this week. Give kids time to think about what particular way would best fit them and their family member–helping with a chore, remembering to thank the person who cooked a meal, and so on. You could brainstorm ideas to get them started, but don't choose for them.

4. Help kids develop concern for others.

Why?

Children are naturally self-centered. Care for others comes with growing and maturing. It's a vital social skill that kids need to develop in order to be productive and happy.

How?

To help club members learn to care for others:

Care about and show concern for them. After all, we can only give what we ourselves have. "We love because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19).
Model concern for others. Talk about things you've done to demonstrate concern for others.
Accept and appreciate their contributions to you ("You really helped me by passing out the markers"; "You drew a picture for me? How cool! Thank you!").
Encourage club members to say "thank you" when they contribute to each other.
Plan a service project to give club members practice in showing concern for others.

Check out http://www.shoppioneerclubs.org/leader_resources/ for ideas.

5. Help kids grow toward interdependence.

Why?

Simply put, because God created people to need each other. Kids’ growth toward interdependence has three parts. They begin life in dependence on others and then grow toward a healthy independence (“I can do it myself!”). Then, as kids’ confidence and skills grow, they begin to realize they have things to offer others, and vice versa. They need to give and receive–that’s interdependence.

How?

To help kids on this journey, you can:

teach skills (such as those in activity awards)
allow kids to make choices
accept mistakes
model helping others
model sharing
give them opportunities to help (helping other children with award requirements, etc.)
affirm children's efforts to help

Changed Lives

“In January, two of our club members reported answers to prayer. Liz, a fifth grader, had requested prayer for her dad to go to church with her ever since the beginning of the club year. Week after week, we prayed for this request. Finally, at the first meeting in January, Liz was able to say, ‘Yes! My dad went to church over Christmas vacation!’ We all rejoiced with her.

“Katie, a fourth grader, has been praying for her dad for many years. When she was just a Scooter she requested prayer for her daddy. On Christmas Eve, he came to church with her and he has turned his life over to the Lord. Katie came to club and during prayer time she thanked the Lord that after seven years, her dad had become a Christian. I marvel at what God is doing in our clubs.” —Janice Knapp, Amherst Community Church, Massillon, Ohio

Today’s Kids...
. . .learn a great deal about social skills by watching the adults around them. If club members see you and other adults in their lives enjoying friendships and treating friends considerately, they are likely to internalize that this is the way friendships are to be. With that positive foundation, they are likely to develop good friendships, too.

May Announcements

Thanks to all who participated in the Kids for Kids Hike! Participating churches are listed on the Kids for Kids Hike page at our Web site (www.pioneerclubs.org). Please remember to complete your hike report (downloadable at the Web site) and mail it with your check to Pioneer Clubs, PO Box 788, Wheaton, IL 60189-0788. And be sure to enclose a photo we can post on our Web site (photos we receive become the property of Pioneer Clubs).

The Perspective^® Online section of the Web site has changed its name to Ideas that Work. Be sure to check out this wonderful resource. It includes tips, articles, and ideas for your club! To visit now, go to www.pioneerclubs.org, click on the Leader Resource Center, enter the password kids, and click on the Ideas that Work icon.

Help your club members continue to grow spiritually this summer at Camp Cherith! Camp Cherith^® is the official camping ministry of Pioneer Clubs. There are 24 Cherith^® camps in North America. They all provide a Christ-centered, Bible-based outdoor program designed to help children and youth learn about Jesus Christ and how to make Christ Lord in every aspect of life. Both club members and club leaders are encouraged to sign up for a week at camp. For more information and to find the camp nearest to you, visit www.pioneerclubs.org/campcherith.htm.

Club coordinators: Please be on the lookout for a letter you’ll receive later this month asking you to encourage your church to make a special end-of-year donation to Pioneer Clubs. We need your help to end our fiscal year on strong financial footing! Thanks in advance for encouraging your congregation to make a gift at this crucial time.

Newly Revised and Improved Trailblazer Curriculum. After much research, planning, and talking with many of you, Pioneer Clubs is excited to present the newly revised Trailblazer curriculum for grades 5-7. You will continue to find the things you've come to appreciate about Pioneer Clubs: a Bible-based and educationally sound curriculum, Scripture studies with life application, meaningful Bible memory, practical life-skills, and easy-to-use leader materials. Plus you and your club members will also benefit from these NEW changes: parent pages, additional leader support, introduction choices for Bible Explorations, suggested service projects, full-color handbooks, and more! Be sure to order your Trailblazer curriculum this July.

Reflections

“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” –Luke 2:52

Lighter Side

A mother took her three-year-old daughter to church for the first time. The church lights were lowered, and then the choir came down the aisle, carrying lighted candles. All was quiet until the little one started to sing in a loud voice, "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you...."