Ways to Communicate with Families of Children
Most parents of children appreciate it when teachers communicate what is going on in the classroom at school whether it’s good, bad, or indifferent. Communication reduces confusion, encourages cooperation, and keeps everything running more smoothly.
So, what are some ways you can communicate with parents as a children’s missions discipleship leader?
Family Missions Focus
Probably the easiest way to communicate with parents is the “Family Missions Focus,” which you can find on the last page of each unit in Missions Journey: Kids Leader.
The “Family Missions Focus” is designed to be sent home with children the first week of each unit. It covers the Bible Focus, Ministry Focus, and Missions Focus for the month, complete with ideas for parents to engage children at home with what they are leaning during missions discipleship.
There is space to write your own note to parents about the Week 4 outreach event, upcoming activities to help children earn badges or patches, missions offerings, etc.
Social Media
Are the parents of children in your group on social media? If so, start an Instagram or Facebook page to share information about what children are learning and invite parents to join. Always secure parental permission before posting any pictures or videos of children on the page.
Don’t know what to share? Use the national GA Facebook page, RA Facebook page, and CA Facebook Community Group to help with content. Or, purchase a GA, RA, or CA Digital Package to make your own content.
Social media is a great way to share information about things your church and children’s ministry are doing, too, and get the word out in your community!
Email or Text
A great way to communicate with families is via email or, for more urgent messages, through text. If you haven’t already, be sure to collect emails and phone numbers from parents or grandparents the next time your group meets. And make sure they have your information, too!
Email is generally better for sending information like permission forms, Christmas in August supply lists, etc. Text is better for more urgent information like church activity cancelations, emergency situations, or updates when you are doing an outreach project away from church.
Bulletin Board
This one is a little more time consuming, but if you do it right and change it out often, it can be an effective way of communicating bigger-picture ideas, and it will be something parents look forward to seeing.
Ask permission to hang a bulletin board next to your group’s doorway. It doesn’t have to be huge!
Use your bulletin board to display the following types of information:
- What your group will be learning each month, like copies of the Missions Photos or Area Map from the Missions Journey: Kids Leader Kit, and/or the monthly Bible Memory Verse. If children create a craft during the month, add it to the board.
- The missions offerings in December and at Easter, and communicate why we learn about and give to missions. You can also post information about the Cooperative Program, Focus on WMU Sunday, Children’s Missions Day, Christmas in August, Send Relief Sunday, Disaster Relief Sunday, Global Hunger Sunday, etc. (Look here for a church year calendar.)
- Outreach events children participated in. Share what the event was, why children participated, and the outcome. Be sure to post lots of pictures!
No matter how you choose to communicate, consistency is key. It may take some time and effort, but the reward will be parents who are more engaged with what their children are learning, and hopefully more engaged in missions discipleship at home too!
Sarah Murray is the design editor for children’s resources at WMU.