Help! He's On the Wrong Track

There’s always that one child sitting with arms crossed and that “you can’t make me” look on his face. This track wasn’t his first choice, possibly it was not even his second or third choice. But here you are face to face, what do you do? Don’t worry this can be redeemed and all is not lost. Use these tips to engage all the kids in your track time.

• Acknowledge the child’s disappointment if this was not his first choice. It’s okay to be disappointed, but don’t let him camp out there. This track may not have been his first choice, but he can choose how his attitude will affect the rest of his week.
• Reassure the kids that they will have fun and learn something new. It’s okay if they don’t know everything about cooking, sign language, or even wood working, that’s what they are here to experience.
• Learn kids’ names quickly and use them often. Kids will now you value them and are interested in them as a person if you know their names. Call a child’s name to pull him into the conversation or to compliment him on something he is doing well.
• Ask kids to turn and share something with a partner. It could be the answer to a question, their favorite color, or just a hello. This will help kids get to know and engage with one another.

What are some of your favorite tips for engaging kids?