Nothing signals care like being called by name. Use a class list, make a simple name-card system, or use a memory trick for each child. Students who feel known are far more engaged and far less likely to act out.
1. Learn Names in the First Two Weeks
2. Have a Clear Start Signal
Students arrive from different activities and need a reset. A consistent opening — a greeting song for younger years, a question on the board for older ones, or a simple 'hands on the desk, eyes on me' — signals that SRE time has a rhythm and structure of its own.
3. Minimise Dead Time
The moments between activities — handing out worksheets, setting up visual aids, looking for your notes — are when behaviour problems start. Prepare everything before the bell rings. Know your lesson cold. Have worksheets counted out and face-down on desks before students arrive.
4. Use Proximity, Not Volume
When a student is distracted or chatty, move closer rather than calling out from across the room. A quiet word, a gentle hand on the shoulder, or simply standing near a student is more effective than raising your voice — and it preserves the relational warmth that makes SRE special.
5. Praise Specifically, Not Generally
'I love how carefully Mia is listening' is more powerful than 'good job, everyone.' Specific praise names the behaviour you want to see, reinforces it for the whole class, and builds individual dignity. It takes practice but becomes second nature quickly.
6. Build Predictable Routines
Children settle faster when they know what's coming. If you always do a Bible verse recap first, then the story, then an activity, say that structure aloud: 'Today we're going to do our verse, hear about Zacchaeus, then draw what we think he felt.' Predictability is not boring — it's secure.
7. Match Energy to Content
High-energy activities early in the lesson help settle restless children. Save more reflective moments for after engagement is established. If you're asking students to pray, put it at the end when the room is already settled — not at the start when energy is scattered.
8. Handle Hard Questions with Confidence and Honesty
'Why did God let my nan die?' 'Is God real?' These questions will come. Don't panic, don't dismiss, and don't pretend you have all the answers. 'That's a really important question and I'm glad you asked it. Let me tell you what I think, and let's talk about it' is an excellent answer. Authenticity builds trust far more than having a neat theological response ready.
9. Give Students Roles
Distribute verse cards, hold the visual aid, read a line from the story, lead the opening prayer. Students who have a job are invested in the lesson. Even reluctant participants often come alive when given a small responsibility.
10. End Before the Bell
Finishing 2 minutes early and having students sit quietly is far better than rushing through a closing prayer as the bell rings. A calm, settled ending leaves the classroom teacher with a well-regulated class — and builds goodwill that makes your weekly return welcome.
