Children’s Class

submitted by Alison B. in August, 2000

1st Counselor, Stake Relief Society Presidency, Denver, Colorado.

Something we were told at orientation in Salt Lake. We were all asking questions about how to make the children’s class work better. They took us to the handbook and told about the intent of this class for children.

They said it is not for all the children in the ward (Wow! Did this cause murmurs!) . Only for Single moms or sisters whose husbands are in school or at work. All other fathers were expected to stay home with their children and encourage their wives to attend Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment Meeting.

We have asked our Bishops to announce in Priesthood Meeting or Sacrament Meeting this very fact the week before Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment Meeting.

Hope this helps when we have wards with tons of children of all age groups and you have a hard time staffing the class. Maybe numbers will drop and more sisters will attend.

Relief Society Children’s Class Format

This is from my Feb-Mar 2000 newsletter - long

Purpose: To provide a safe, organized place where young children can develop an understanding and love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, have positive experiences in a church setting, and grow feelings of self-worth while their mothers are attending Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment Meeting.

Sources: Scriptures, Primary 1 Manual and aids, and any nursery materials that have gone through correlation, such as previous nursery manuals.

Children: 18months-3 years usually. If class is routinely made up of children of all different ages, a separate class may be held of slightly older children. The oldest children may help as Children’s Class assistants.

A Suggested Format

Greeting and Playtime……………………..30 minutes

Teaching time…………………………………15 minutes

Artistic time…………………………………….20 minutes

Snack time……………………………………..20 minutes

Music time……………………………………..15 minutes

Playtime…………………………………………20 minutes

Closing and cleanup time…………………Rest of time

As you can see, this is a 2-plus hour block of time. The Children’s Class should also start and end with prayer. It is suggested that Children’s Class assistants attend 15 minutes before Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment Meeting starts and 15 minutes after.

The counselor over Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment oversees the children’s class leader and assistants. (After the Home, Family, and Personal Enrichment leader, this is the person I would work on calling. On that night-she is a lifesaver!)

Food: Snacks are needed during class time because this is such a large stretch of time for small children. This is part of the RS budget, although mothers may take turns bringing food for all children.

Assistants: May consist of sisters, YW, older Primary age children. If other than a sister, must have stake president approval.