Whether you’re a Sunday School teacher, children’s ministry volunteer, a parent, or just someone who wants to make an eternal difference in the life of a child, here are a dozen ways to make a child feel special and loved!
#1 – Give them a COMPLIMENT.
Everyone enjoys hearing something nice about themselves, especially kids. Most of the time, they probably need to hear something good about themselves.
#2 – Send them a POSTCARD.
Kids absolutely love getting mail. In a kid’s world, only adults get mail, so it’s a big deal when something comes with their name on it.
#3 – Use their NAME.
Nothing is so sweet to hear as the sound of one’s own name. You can only call a kid “buddy” or “sweetheart” so many times before they catch on.
#4 – Make your first words VALUABLE.
Talking negatively toward a child will not get you far if you’ve not first invested into them positively. Establish a relationship before trying to enforce rules.
#5 – Kneel to their EYE LEVEL.
Getting down on their level speaks volumes about how much you care. It’s a big deal to a child when an adult intentionally speaks to them eye to eye.
#6 – Ask them about their WEEK.
Kids have a life too. Show you care by finding out about it. You might be surprised what you learn.
#7 – PRAY with them.
When you ask a child what you can pray with them about, you are opening a door of spiritual influence. Every kid has something they will let you pray for if you’ll ask.
#8 – Remember their BIRTHDAY.
Kids remember you when you remember their birthday. Remember, in their mind, it’s the most important day of their year.
#9 – Go to their ACTIVITIES.
Whether they invite you to their party, their ball game, or anything else, it’s because they want you there. Your presence is a present in and of itself.
#10 – Take them OUT TO EAT.
Every kid loves to go out to eat and every kid has a favorite restaurant. Take them out to eat for no specific reason and watch their face glow.
#11 – Give them an UNEXPECTED GIFT.
There’s something magical that happens when a child receives a gift for no reason other than because you care or just because you found something that made you think of them. It speaks value and shows them that they matter.
#12 – Invest in them PERSONALLY.
Kids don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Let them know that they are more than just a number to you in your class or in your family.
Remember that what you invest today will yield a harvest tomorrow. If kids are made to feel like a million bucks today, they’re going to pay it forward one day into the lives of others as well.
“What a child doesn’t receive he can seldom later give.” – P.D. James
Of the 12 ways listed above, which one is your favorite, or do you feel you’re the best at? What would you add to this list?
