AWOL 6 year @ AWANAS...... Ideas please?

Question

I teach AWANAS at church. I have a 6 year old who loves to disappear. I'll be working with a kids and all of a sudden I'm like "Ah where's M****?" I'll look all over the church for her and then when I get back to where I started, there she is.

There are 100+ kids that any given night, do I need some suggestions as to how I can keep track of her without neglecting the rest of the kids. I don't want to tell her parents not to bring her back, but I'm scared she'll get lost for real.

Answer 1

You need to speak with her parents about this.  You shouldn't be responsible for an unruly 6 year old.  At six, they know full well that they shouldn't just take off and hide from you.  Ask her parents to help do something about her behavior and if it continues ask them not to bring her back.

Answer 2

Bless your heart for being so sweet about this. I assist with childrens church on Sundays and our rule is- if you want to participate and learn about God we'll have a great time together. If you want to stop others from learning, your parents can pick you up in the daycare room. Everytime we sent a youngster to the daycare room their behavior is changed for good. :)

Answer 3

Maybe that's why the parents are sending them over by you because they don't want to be seen as the "bad parents loosing their kid."  

I help out at ERC (Early Release Club) it's on half days of school parents can drop their kids off and we'll take care of them. The kids are such pains in the a**es we (adults and teens) don't want to help out. But because there are so few of kids there and not enough helpers the lead person doesn't want to say "You can't bring your kid here they're to bratty." so I know what you're going through.

Hope this helps,

Would rather be deer hunting

Answer 4

I would not want want this responsibility.  If she disappears, gets hurt, gets lost, etc. it will all be on your shoulders!  You could be sued even.  I would suggest at least one parent be there with the child or that you have a volunteer/teacher's aide to be there with her AT ALL TIMES otherwise DO NOT TEACH HER!  What about when you are off searching for her, who is watching the other kids?  You have to tell her parents right away.  I teach school and the rule is to never ever leave a child unsupervised.  You may have to suggest she returns to class when she is a little older and can understand the rules of not leaving class.

Answer 5

I would ask that one of the parents stay with the child.  That way she can still participate but the parents will be the ones that have to make sure she stays where she's supposed to be.