You have a new resource in your Toolbox from Tony Bianco and Family Technology Plan!
Click on “Toolbox: Technology” to download a 9-page Family Technology Plan: *At-Home Kit* for your families!
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Family Technology Plan: An *At-Home Kit* For Your Families
PARTNER RESOURCE
This month, Tony Bianco from Family Technology Plan offers you a Family Technology Plan: *At-Home Kit* for your families! This kit gives families the tools to build and create their own Family Technology Plan at home.
It includes instructions and PDF worksheets for them to print out to sit down and make a practical plan around technology.
Tony Bianco has been in Student Ministry for over ten years with his wife Diamend with whom they have two amazing kids. He is a former Radio DJ, Technology Reviewer, GameStop Manager, Apple Store Expert, and the author of The Family Technology Plan. You can contact Tony at www.familytechnologyplan.com.
To learn more about Family Technology Plan, click HERE.
To learn more about Tony, click HERE.
WHAT IS IT?
This 9-page At-Home Kit offers families instructions and worksheets to help them build and create their own technology plan.
HOW DO I USE IT?
- Email it straight to parents.
- Print, add your church logo as cover art and make them available for your families at church.
- Offer it to families who ask for help on technology issues.
TO DOWNLOAD, CLICK THE PICTURE BELOW.
8.1.21
Your August Resources Are Here!
TOOLBOX
To download, click TOOLBOX.
COACHING VIDEO
To download, click COACHING.
PARENT VIDEO
Teacher Troubles: 4 Tips on How to Help Your Child
To Download, click PARENT VIDEOS.
PARTNER RESOURCES
PODCAST
BLOG
UPCOMING BLOG POSTS
Teacher Troubles
Teacher Troubles: 4 Tips on How to Help Your Child
EMAIL 1
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Subject Line: Teacher Troubles
Parents,
At some point in your child’s education, you may run across a scenario where you or your son or daughter struggle with their teacher. When this moment occurs, how and what you do can often make or break a school year’s experience.
So in today’s video, we give you four practical tips on how to help your child with teacher troubles, so you can create a new opportunity for your child to grow and learn. To watch this brief video that is less than five minutes, click the link below.
https://vimeo.com/parentministry/review/565927310/f86c936161
As always, it’s my pleasure to serve you and your family. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to call.
[INSERT SIGNATURE HERE]
EMAIL 2
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Subject Line: 4 Tips on How to Help Your Child
Parents,
When a child is experiencing anxiety due to a teacher-related circumstance, the situation can feel long, powerless, and hopeless. We want to help ease some of the burdens by sharing four ways that you, as a parent, can do something about it. It is possible to come alongside your child and help them thrive, not just survive, as they struggle relationally with a teacher.
To view the brief, encouraging video, click:
https://vimeo.com/parentministry/review/565927310/f86c936161
VIDEO
SOCIAL MEDIA SWAG
Has your child ever experienced anxiety around a teacher? In our new parent video, learn 4 practical tips to help your child with teacher troubles. Check your inbox for more info.
Learn how to come alongside your child and support them. Check your inbox for more!
Parents, we have a new video for you that gives you simple tips to help your child relationally with their teacher. Check your inbox for more.
In our new parent video, 4 Tips to Help Your Child with Teacher Troubles, we give you practical and simple ways to help your child build people skills.
VIDEO SCRIPT
Many of us instantly remember a hard time we had with a teacher. So when your child has a similar experience, the memories start flooding back. How, in that moment, do you parent your child with wisdom? How can you help them navigate tension with their teacher? In today’s video, I give you four tips on helping your child with teacher troubles.
First, ask questions. They may not know how to say to you, “Hey dad, something’s going on in my classroom, or something’s off with my teacher, or I’m struggling, so…” But if something is happening at school, you may begin to notice something is a bit off with your child over a consistent period of time. Ask them some specific questions about their class…friends, school work, teachers. These questions help identify a possible struggle through the process of elimination. Because they may not be able to put words to how they feel, your questions help them open up and communicate what is going on inside. And once they speak to you, they can take the load off what they’re holding on inside. And now, you’re free to access the next best step to work towards a solution.
Second, when there is tension is with a teacher, if age and situationally appropriate, ask your child to begin first by communicating to the teacher. This step does two things. They need to learn how to speak up for themselves and learn how to share. You can coach and practice with them at home by role-playing where you are the teacher. Use this time to speak courage into your child and ask them to practice standing up for themselves in a respectful way to a teacher. Give them places to practice communication through difficult times. If you do, you give your child confidence in themselves.
Now there are certain situations where you skip this step because your child needs an advocate. But use your judgment if that advocate needs to be them first or you. An adult-type scenario that is going on in the classroom needs an adult for an adult discussion. Use discernment to take the following steps, such as schedule a phone call, send an email, or make an appointment.
Third, offer empathy by sharing a story when you had a tough time with a teacher. Try to include descriptions such as the location of your desk or the look of the playground. When you give detailed descriptions in your stories, you invite your child into a moment where they experience it with you. Expand on your thoughts and feelings about how hard it was with your teacher, keeping it age-appropriate. Ask them about their thoughts and feelings. Use this time as a way to connect while encouraging your child that they are not alone.
Last, for older children, use this moment to explain how they are building people skills. One day, they may have a boss or co-worker with whom they disagree. Or they may struggle to communicate with their spouse. Each of these scenarios requires relationship skills, so the teacher troubles they face today can serve a bigger purpose than just “5th grade probs.” Help your child find the positive “relational” nugget by teaching them about how to work with people through tension.
Teacher troubles are not an easy path to navigate with your child, but they don’t have to “ruin the year.” It’s possible for the tension to create a new opportunity for your child to grow, learn, and mature. Remember to: ask questions/ if appropriate, ask your child to talk first/ offer empathy/ and connect it to building people skills. With these four tips, your child doesn’t just have to survive. They can thrive.
How To Onboard Parents Into Your Ministry (Video: 7 Minutes)
As church leaders, we often think about helping new students join as they enter into our ministry area, a process called “onboarding.” But what if we intentionally helped parents onboard into our ministries? How can we help new parents? If we do a good job of onboarding new parents, we have a great chance of keeping families involved.
In this video, you will learn practical tips like creating one-page sheets and the importance of telling parents what they want to hear first versus what we find essential.
7.26.21
You have a new resource in your Toolbox from Annie Pajcic and Thou Art Exalted!
Click on “Toolbox: Help Parents Lead” to download your 13-page Bible Study for tweens and teens.
Tween & Teen Girls Bible Study: A Partner Resource by Annie Pajcic & Thou Art Exalted
PARTNER RESOURCE
Dear Ministry to Parents Members,
It’s a joy to share our ministry, ThouArtExalted, with Ministry to Parents again. This year’s resource is a sample of our summer art camp for pre-teen and teen girls called Love is All You Need. Similar to a VBS, yet for older girls, this Bible Study covers five lessons where we “change the channel” from wanting, whining, worrying, weakness to contentment, thankfulness, peace, strength, and love in Jesus Christ. Girls will understand that God’s love is all they will ever need!
ThouArtExalted always combines art as a reminder of God’s Word. We have included one art project in your resource guide providing a step-by-step instructional video. This sheep canvas creatively reminds girls that they can change the channel from wanting to contentment because the Lord is our Good Shepherd and will meet our every need (not want!).
You can purchase the whole study or even an “ART KIT” that provides all the supplies in a box on www.thouartexalted.com. We would love for you to share the good news of ThouArtExalted with your friends, youth groups, pastors, and of course families.
Many blessings.
Joyfully,
THOU ART EXALTED was founded in 2007 by Annie Pajcic, ThouArtExalted combines the study of God’s Word with Annie’s passion for the arts. With 1 Chronicles 29:11 as a guide, ThouArtExalted provides art-based Bible studies, free devotions, speaking events, art camps, conferences, and online resources to help women, teens, and tweens deepen a relationship with Jesus.
To learn more about Thou Art Exalted, click HERE. To learn more about Annie, click HERE.
To find out the latest, check out INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK.
WHAT IS IT?
This 13- page Bible study covers one lesson for tweens and teens and includes:
- Devotional
- Art Project
- Instructional Video for Parents & Teens (password is LOVE)
- Template
- Fun Video
- Icebreaker Games for Groups
- Prayer Cards
- Memory Verses
HOW DO I USE IT?
- Use it as an event outline to host a mother-daughter event or father-daughter event.
- Email it to your parents as an at-home connection activity.
- Use it as an activity with dad and daughters or moms and daughters gathering.
- Print and keep available at church.
- Use as an activity to connect volunteers to students.
TO DOWNLOAD, CLICK THE PICTURE BELOW.
7.1.21
Your July Resources Are Here!
Halftime. It’s one of our favorite times of the year because it naturally provides a breaking point between the first half of the year and the second, creating a place to pivot. We look back and ask ourselves: What do we like? Dislike? What needs to change? When we look forward, what do we hope occurs? What change can we make that’s within our control? Just a short hour at a coffee shop can make all the world of difference! It’s three simple steps:
-schedule a moment for yourself
-ask the LORD for insight
-look back, look forward, evaluate, & pivot
Thanks for the privilege of partnering with you in ministry.
~The M2P Team
TOOLBOX
WHAT IS IT
This Family Devotional covers 12 holidays throughout the year. Each devotional includes five sections: Read, Learn, Discuss, Activity, Pray. The holidays are:
- New Year’s Day
- Valentines
- Lent
- Easter
- Mother’s Day
- Memorial Day/ Veterans Day
- Father’s Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas
- Birthday
- Anniversary
To Download, Click TOOLBOX.
Note: The Scriptures are the same as the Teens Edition so that families can do this together. The activities are tweaked based on age.
Parent Video
Transitions: 5 Ways to Prepare Your Child For Kindergarten
Our role as the Church is to help support spiritually, but another part of our role is to help emotionally, physically, and mentally. To help bring a little comfort to those parents with a child transitioning into Kindergarten, we have a brief video for you on 5 ways to prepare. These quick tips offer some direction and, most likely, will inspire even more ideas!
To Download, Click PARENT VIDEOS.
Coaching
Many ministry leaders hold fast to the theory that college students make the best volunteers. Yes, they bring a serious amount of energy, but what if you could have a little more? What if you had a mixture of college students with parents who bring safety, responsibility, and wisdom? You may wonder…can parents love other kids like they love their own? In this coaching video, Jeremy Lee gives you practical and strategic ways to cast a vision to parents so they will become some of your most vital and faithful volunteers!
To Download, Click COACHING.
Partner Resource
We are excited to welcome back artist and Bible teacher Annie Pajcic from Thou Art Exalted! She and her team provide art-based Bible studies, devotions, art camps, conferences, and online resources to help women, teens, and tweens deepen a relationship with Jesus.
Podcast
The M2P Podcast is on a break like Ross and Rachel! We’ll kick off the new season starting in August…when all those other good things come, like sharpened #2 pencils and cute, pink, rectangular erasers.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO PAST EPISODES!
Blog
Jeremy Lee is continuing his series on Family Devotionals and Curriculum, plus Annie Pajcic is back!
How to Train Parents to Be Volunteers (Video: 8 Minutes)
Many ministry leaders hold fast to the theory that college students make the best volunteers. Yes, they bring a serious amount of energy, but what if you could have a little more? What if you had a mixture of college students with parents who bring safety, responsibility, and wisdom? You may wonder…can parents love other kids like they love their own? In this coaching video, Jeremy Lee gives you practical and strategic ways to cast a vision to parents so they will become some of your most vital and faithful volunteers!
Transitions
Transitions: 5 Ways to Prepare Your Child for Kindergarten
EMAIL 1
Copy/Paste the email below.
Subject Line: 5 Ways to Prepare Your Child for Kindergarten
Parents,
Our role as the Church is to help support you spiritually, but another part of our role is to help emotionally, physically, and mentally. As the transition to Kindergarten soon approaches, we know you have lots on your mind. What school will they attend? Will they be okay? Will I be okay?
To help bring a little comfort, we have a brief video for you on 5 ways you can prepare your child for the transition. These quick tips offer some direction and, most likely, will inspire even more ideas!
To view the video, click the link below.
https://vimeo.com/parentministry/review/565927258/62a96fe4ee
It is my privilege to join alongside you on this parenting journey. If you need anything or have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
[INSERT SIGNATURE HERE]
EMAIL 2
Copy/Paste the email below.
Subject Line: How to Help Your Preschooler Get Ready for Kindergarten
Dear Parents,
The day is soon approaching where you will take your little one for the first day of Kindergarten, a transition that marks the beginning of an adventure. As excited or afraid as they may be, they know they have someone there to support them. Well, we like to think of ourselves as your support team, and one of those ways we do so is with a quick video: 5 Ways to Prepare Your Child for Kindergarten. From ideas on bedtime to building confidence, you can find inspiration and courage in less than five minutes!
To view the video, click the link below.
https://vimeo.com/parentministry/review/565927258/62a96fe4ee
Thank you for the opportunity to partner with your family. Please contact me if you need anything.
[INSERT SIGNATURE HERE]
VIDEO
SOCIAL MEDIA SWAG
Parents, we have a new video for you! In less than five minutes, we give you quick and easy tips to help your son and daughter transition into one of the greatest adventures: Kindergarten! Check your inbox for more!
*5 Ways to Prepare Your Child for Kindergarten* From bedtime routine to building confidence, this quick video will inspire you. Check your inbox for more information!
These ideas are just a few of the quick tips we have for parents. If you have a preschooler, we have the perfect video for you! Check your inbox for more.
It’s not long before you take your son or daughter to their first day of school. To help ease your transition, we have a quick parent video that gives you 5 easy tips! Check your inbox for more information!
VIDEO SCRIPT
The time is coming. Your baby is heading off to Kindergarten. It’s hard to believe it seems just like yesterday you were bringing them home from the hospital, and this brand new baby entered your life. And now, just a few years later, they’re about to head off to one of the biggest adventures they’ve been through yet. And as exciting as that is, it can also be a little scary. In today’s video, we give you five tips to help you and your little one transition from preschooler to kindergartener.
The first is to plan a kindergarten visit. One of the gifts you can give your son or daughter is a visual of what is to come, and it’s a gift to yourself as well. If the school allows, ask for a visit to the library, cafeteria, classroom, and more. This tour gives your child a glimpse into a more relaxed, less-intense environment where they can observe without the extra pressure. These interactions can ease the tension and allow it to be a lot more smooth on the first day.
The second is to establish the new “school” bedtime routine before school starts. When your son or daughter starts Kindergarten, they will need a consistent schedule to help them get ready for the big day. Decide the best routine for them and set it up at least a week before the big day, so they are prepared. For a little arts and crafts time, together write and draw out the schedule on the poster with lots of stickers and glitter. Hang the schedule near the bedtime area, so they can see it at any time.
The third is to prepare your son or daughter for time away from you. This moment may be the most time your child has ever spent apart from you, so it may be an adjustment. One way you can make it more smooth is to strategically plan outings the month before the big day where your Kindergartner spends some time apart from you. This practice gives them a chance to work the “muscle” they will need for the first day of Kindergarten.
The fourth step is to talk with your child from a place of confidence as the first day of Kindergarten approaches. Children reflect what they see in their parents, so share how you believe in them. Be specific in your examples. Pray with them and ask others you trust to speak to them as well. Say something like, “We see that you are growing up and are ready for Kindergarten. You are going to do a great job listening to your teacher because we see how you listen to us at home.” These messages are blessings to them that God has made them and prepared them for this moment. They give them confidence and help prepare them for this transition.
The fifth is a step just for you. The first few days after you drop off your kindergartener may be filled with all sorts of thoughts and emotions. It’s a moment that is worth savoring, so plan and schedule some time to pull away and document along with a little self-care. Some couples take off work and go to breakfast together. Moms or dad meet up for lunch and share stories. Others take a day trip to an art museum or the zoo to slowly take in the joy and sadness with worship and gratitude.
Just like all transitions, the transition to Kindergarten might be a little messy. It may be clumsy for you and your kindergartner. We encourage you to give both grace and space to work through this together. Kindergarten is a huge transition, but there’s so much more of the journey left to enjoy as a parent, so try to enjoy the moment as much as possible for this beautiful journey.