Mistakes Sunday School Teachers Make and How to Avoid them (Part 3)

Another major mistake is improper expectations. Classrooms are built on expectations from both the teacher and the children. Too often, the expectations
are unrealistic, unhealthy, or just plain negative. It is your job as a teacher to develop proper expectations for your class, which will translate into proper expectations by the children toward you. For your children, expectations are built on the answers to questions such as, “Why am I doing this project?”
“Does the teacher respect me?” “Is this a safe, comfortable space?” “What happens if I choose to misbehave?”

Childrens’ expectations in a classroom have been built for years. They are the product of past years of Sunday school sessions as well as their experience in other types of learning settings. Those expectations have been based on teachers’ explicit words, body language, results of certain actions, etc. As a
teacher, you set your expectations for the class from day one, depending on your reactions to the children, your verbal expectations, and the tone and feel of the space that you create.

Too often, teachers build negative expectations because they handle problems ineffectively. When a teacher is frustrated, tired, or worn down, he/she is much more likely to handle things with a moment-to-moment discipline system instead of focusing on the larger expectations of the class and the space in general. While this is effective at stopping children from misbehaving in the very near future, it fails to stop the larger problem and even shows children that they can get away with misbehavior, even though it will be punished at some point.

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Editors note

Printable Sunday School material for 3 -11 year olds
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Constant yelling or getting frustrated with children creates a negative space that they will not like to return to. When children know this is the environment they will be entering, they will be less likely to attend Sunday school, less likely to pay attention while they are there, and will give you less respect than you deserve. They respect you less because they feel the yelling and frustration is respecting them less, and even though there is a clear hierarchy of power in the room, the children still deserve respect and a safe environment.

To create positive expectations in your sessions, work with the children to make things as clear as possible. When you begin your sessions, sit with the class and outline your ideas for the sessions. Let them know that there will be lots of learning and lots of fun. Explicitly state to them that they are in a safe space where they are free to discuss ideas and develop opinions. Explain your methods for discipline and ask them to help contribute to the discipline system you are creating. They must buy into the discipline idea or they will feel threatened by it, thereby negating its usefulness. For each individual session, begin by stating your objectives in a way they will understand, such as, “Today we will be learning about the importance of Easter for Christians and doing an activity that shows us how Jesus’ tomb being empty is one of the greatest signs for Christians everywhere!” By telling them what is coming up, you set the stage for an exciting day that they will find useful. You must, in telling the children what is coming next, validate your reasons for choosing it. Only then will children also find it important enough to pay attention to and involve themselves in.

Another way to create positive expectations is to use positive statements regarding behavior. When the class as a whole is being helpful or doing what you asked, make sure to recognize it through a simple statement. You do not need to say anything more than, “Thank you for listening so well. The class runs much more smoothly when everyone is quiet enough to hear directions. You are doing a great job!” A statement like this encourages the whole class, instead of singling out one child for their good behavior. While this type of praise is effective and can set a good example for the class, praising the class in general is the best way to make everyone feel appreciated and recognized.

Expectations are everywhere in your Sunday school classroom, though you might not recognize it immediately. You can do your job to help frame those expectations in a positive light by being painfully clear on your directions and your expectations from your class on a day-to-day basis and for your sessions
as a whole. You can also make sure to praise your class for their positive behavior, making sure to recognize all good behavior, especially that which you did not specifically request but that is part of the expectations for the class that you explained at the beginning of the sessions. This is a great way to remind
the children of the expectations you laid out in the beginning and to reinforce the behavior that respects those expectations. With these two simple tips, you will have a healthy, happy, respectful class in no time

Object lessons for Sunday School