Zip Tip: Training Time Management

Zip for Kids has tons of content, so how do you stay on track with timing?

Here are a few tips to pass along to your leaders to help them:

1. Bible content is of utmost importance. If you are running short on time, try to still hit all of the content, even if that means that you have to cut out one of the games.

2. Wear a watch. If using tracks, use the recommended times as a guide. It may feel like you are moving quickly, but it takes a lot of movement and energy to keep kids engaged while using as many different ways to teach a concept as possible.

3. Sometimes, you will need to redirect conversations to the content, even when the conversation is good. This takes much discernment. Make yourself available to talk through questions kids have at other times if time is running short during Bible study or another scheduled activity.

4. Know that your leader guide is not infallible. Feel free to change the rules of a game that isn’t working for you or to shorten a game that kids are not enjoying. Try to always kill games before they die on their own so that kids want to play them again another time! This will help the concept learned during that game stick because they will connect the game and concept in their minds to an enjoyable experience!

5. Transition on time. When one group is late coming back to the meeting spot, it slows down everyone. This can put your day on a downward spiral of time loss if it happens too many times. Emphasize the need to be on time so that new activities can start on time.

6. ENJOY EVERY MINUTE!