How to Get Young Children to Behave in Church
Taking young children to church is always a challenge. Over the years, parents have developed successful ways to help children behave during church services. Here are four ideas that have worked for other people.
First: Provide substantial meals
Before going to church, give children a solid, protein-based meal. Protein lasts longer, helping children avoid hunger. Keep small snacks on hand like cheerios in a bag or fruit snacks if they get hungry during the service.
Second: Set a date
Make a plan with your children for after church. Plan something like a visit to the park or a grandparent. Strive to find something the children can look forward to; remind them that behaving in church leads to something more fun later. Do not use toys or sugary treats as the reward. Instead, select an experience, an activity you can share together. If at all possible, schedule the reward experience the same day. Small children have difficulty thinking too far ahead.
Third: Avoid using punishment
Punishing a child for behaving badly in church can quickly establish a connection between church and punishment. If a small child gets out of control during a service, then remove him or her as calmly as possible. Take the child home and keep your own reaction low. The better, more effective course involves making a good plan for next time.
Fourth: Play church at home
With small children, sometimes role play is useful for mastering skill sets. Try setting up a few chairs for prayer with your children. Keep it very short and encourage them to participate. Use these times to teach them about church. Tell them why you go and what it means to you. Help them practice their church manners with you. Approach this in a relaxed way. If you are relaxed, then the children pick up on that. As you know, they imitate you. Over time, your children learn to behave very well in church.