Mix It Up: Digital Media in Your Kidmin Space

Let’s face the fact that most people – probably you, definitely me – don’t learn best with someone standing up in front of us telling us something without visuals, without specific audio focus for longer than a couple of minutes, and without engaging more than one of our senses.

How often do you mix up your teaching style or methods? Do you have various visual elements? Audio aids? Does live teaching resonate or distract?

While it is without doubt that there are highly engaging live teaching communicators for kids, the reality is that they might not be in your church. And that’s okay! That’s why we have folks who (in their full-time capacity!) create video-based curriculum so that those lovely souls who long to disciple kids in their volunteer role every few Sundays can do just that, and not have to stress about that live teaching element!

And video can be a powerful device in kidmin (or really, any min!) for several reasons. Here are my top three:

3 Reasons To Use Video in Kidmin

1. Videos can be more engaging. Take your teaching, add in sound effects, visual stimuli, and quicker cuts (no ums and ahhs!) – within a video (perhaps one already done in a pre-packaged curriculum…ahem!) and you’ll capture their attention longer, focus their learning, and make it all the more enjoyable.

2. Videos can simplify complex concepts in less time than live teaching. Take a big idea like salvation or justification or sanctification - even the words are big! – and explain it to a 7-year-old. Visual aids and quick edits help break down information into digestible chunks, making it easier for kids to understand and retain knowledge. It's like a fun shortcut!

3. Videos provide a variety of learning styles. Some kids are visual learners, and videos cater to this preference, ensuring a more inclusive and effective educational experience. In the context of ministry, videos can convey spiritual messages in a creative and memorable way. Stories, parables, and lessons come to life, fostering a deeper connection with the message being shared.

Jesus used what he had when teaching the masses. For the most part, that was the pastoral landscape around him speaking of sheep, vines, seeds, crop growth – probably pointing at the various rural artifacts as he spoke. Our present ‘artifacts’ are tech-based. Engaging with current technology serves our kids well. We can use the video elements to teach a specific idea, spark curiosity, show a story in visually and auditorily stimulating ways, or play a game. And then we can go off-screen to interact and engage in real time. We mix learning styles and, in doing so, levels of engagement.

While there isn’t an exact science as to how your kids will engage best – with so many variables at play per unique child (e.g., levels of energy, lack of sleep, etc.) – there is some level of assurance that kids are familiar with screens. And as such, there may be a level of comfort for new kids, introverts, and anxious kids.

Grab a free download of ideas for using digital media in your kidmin space by clicking the link below!