At five years old, students move into a period of calm and well-being. They love life and the adults in their lives. They highly value their friends. Though five-year-olds are not as daring as in their previous year, they enjoy using their bodies to accomplish physical feats. Learning is fun and exciting!
Improve your teaching by noting how you might shape your teaching according to five-year-olds’ characteristics.
- They enjoy telling stores, so involve students in re-telling the Bible story.
- They desire to complete tasks, so be flexible with timing.
- They prefer the “tried and true,” so don’t always be looking for something new.
- They desire to please, so offer positive feedback.
- They judge abilities accurately, so give sincere praise.
- They focus for a longer time than younger children, so include longer activities.
- They expand intellectually, so encourage Scripture memorization.
- They learn by asking questions, so take time to respond.
- They need times of quiet, so provide space away from four-year-olds.
- They like responsibility, so recruit students’ assistance.
