015: Engaging Kids Who Don't Participate
When a few kids hang back, avoid activities, or seem uninterested, it can feel discouraging and tempting to push harder for participation. In this episode of Kids Ministry Answers, Allegra Collins has a question about how to engage kids who don’t want to participate during small group or Bible teaching time. So we asked Christina Paiva to join Linda and Jason to share practical strategies for building trust, creating emotional safety, and gently inviting every child to engage at their own pace.
QUESTION:
“What are your tips on engaging kids who don’t want to participate or who struggle to engage during small group time and Bible teaching time?” — Allegra Collins
ANSWER:
In this episode, we’ll talk about how to:
- Recognize that engagement looks different for every child
- Focus on relationships first, knowing trust and safety often lead to natural engagement
- Welcome and invite kids with low-pressure options that meet them where they are
- Help kids find relationships with peers, leaders, and families to help connections grow over time
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Creators and Guests
Host
Jason Sivewright
Jason Sivewright is the Creative Lead at Stuff You Can Use and Co-Pastor of Engage South KC in Kansas City, Missouri. He also owns his own LLC called Sweet Boy Books with which he writes and publishes children's books. If you'd like to chat with Jason about worship arts, writing, speaking, creating, or his dog, “Tyrannosaurus Cubby Rex,” reach out! He would love to connect with you!
Host
Linda Moon
Dr. Linda Moon is the Executive Director of Curriculum at Stuff You Can Use, Associate Pastor and Director of Education at her church in La Cañada, California, and hosts the podcast Calling Water. She holds master’s degrees in Cross-Cultural Studies and Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a specialization in Educational Psychology from the University of Southern California.
Producer
Caitlyn Smelser
Caitlyn Smelser is the Executive Assistant at Stuff You Can Use and former youth pastor. On any given day you'll find her out for a run, hiking with her dog, Gus, or paddle-boarding on the lake. If you'd like to chat with Caitlyn about where to find the best hiking trails or how to make a perfect french macaron, she'd love to connect with you!
