From bed babies to boys and girls nearing puberty, most Sunday School teachers and Christian parents approach their tasks with a single purpose — to teach their children how to give their hearts to Christ.
But according to Rod Marshall, director of counseling for Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries, they probably shouldn’t tell the kids that — at least not in those terms.
"Remember your child’s developmental level and their cognitive abilities. Children think in this-world, literal terms, and nothing is more holy, more sacred and more not-of-this-world," Marshall noted in an article written by him and David Eanes, the preschool and children’s minister at Meadow Brook Baptist Church, Birmingham, titled "What Gift May I Give to the Least of These?"
Adults tend to use abstract terms, but children need concrete thoughts when it comes to spiritual matters, Marshall and Eanes write. "Imagine the mental picture a literal-minded child might have when we talk about ‘giving your heart to Jesus.’"
Understanding a child’s mental, physical and spiritual development at each age is vital for parents and child workers at church so that they can minister to children in the best way possible, Marshall said.
"As church leaders who have accepted the incredible responsibility of discipling children, we must strive to make sure we communicate the gospel to them in age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate ways," he explained. "Our best effort at understanding a child is to consider them in the context of their physical, emotional and cognitive stages of development."
But at the same time, it’s important to keep in mind that some children may progress through phases at different paces than others, Marshall noted. "There are significant differences among (adult) individuals. Some are really good at math, but they cannot speak well. Some people are gifted writers, but they have difficulty balancing their checkbooks."
It’s the same with children, he said. "It is vital to remind ourselves that although there are several ‘stage models’ of development (see below), each child is completely unique and will move through the stages at their own pace." (TAB)
Baby
– 0–6 months: Begins social games, distinguishes familiar faces and voices
– 7–11 months: Stranger anxiety, solves simple problems, loves attention
– 12 months: First steps, first words, explores with hands
1 year old
– Awkward coordination, chubby
– Interests shift quickly
– Uses 5–50 words and talks to self
– Almost totally egocentric
– Cries when left alone
– Points to objects in a book
2 year old
– Uses 50–300 words and two-to-three-word sentences
– Likes one adult at a time
– Easily distracted/resists change
– Self-centered; pushes and shoves others
– Has difficulty relaxing
3 year old
– Asks ‘why’ constantly
– Uses 300–1,000 words
– Highly imitative of adults; wants to please adults
– Begins to take turns
– Understands ‘let’s pretend’
– Names and matches simple colors
4 year old
– Interested in dramatizing songs and stories; full of ideas
– Can do two things at once
– Resistant; tests limits
– Has more words than knowledge and likes a variety of materials
– Control in finger activities
5 year old
– Curious about everything
– Coordinated; likes to use fine motor skills
– Enjoys games; may get silly
– Likes adult companionship
– Aware of rules, defines them for others
– Sensitive to ridicule
6 year old
– Learning right from wrong
– Making conclusions about God and regards Jesus as a friend and helper
– Needs frequent reassurance
– Wants to be perfect and is afraid to fail
– Likes all kinds of games
8 year old
– Conscious of self and sin
– Wants to do things right; feels ashamed when wrong
– Does not want to be babied
– Needs to be allowed to talk
– May feel need for a Savior
– Asks serious questions about religion
10 year old
– Begins to think abstractly
– Can express ideas, reason, understand cause and effect
– Thinks quickly; concentrates if interested
– Deep need for approval and companionship
– Can accept responsibilities
12 year old
– Inquisitive; has spiritual questions
– Can experience conviction
– Needs encouragement
– Developing a value system
– Can’t sit still for long
– Likes to have a role model — someone to look up to
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