At FPGO, we strongly believe that parents are the first disciples to their children. This page is here to come along side you in this task and provide information to help you do so.
PARENTS DISCIPLING CHILDREN
Here is a great resource to get help with general parenting for your child. This page gives you many links to provide help with questions as well as several free sessions on training your children https://biblicalparenting.org
Looking for some courses online? These do come with a registration fee, but well worth the investment to help bring peace into your home as you learn to parent to the hearts of your kids and thereby help our kids to do the right thing due to internal motivation rather than out of fear of punishment. https://biblicalparentinguniversity.com
A simple way to start family devotions: Focus on the Family - Start Family Devotion
This is a great resource for beginning to parent your children for faith. They offer a free course that walks you through how important your role as a parent is, and some easy practices you can start to begin to engage your children in life with God. https://www.parentingforfaith.brf.org.uk/
Looking for a bible suggestion? This one is amazing for kids and very interactive. Amazon.ca - Bible for Kids
Why Read the Bible Aloud as a Family - article
TECHNOLOGY AND CHILDREN
In the children’s department, we believe in the power of real, genuine, meaningful connection. That's why, throughout our babies, toddlers, and children’s programs, we focus on fostering intentional human connection between the children, each other, and our quality, caring leaders. It is our goal for each child to feel safe, loved, known and valued. To accomplish this goal, we limit our use of technology so that we can personally remain engaged with each child. Technology can wait; building a relationship where these children learn that church is a safe, fun place filled with people who care about them cannot!
We have also taken into consideration what experts are recommending when considering the use of technology within our babies, toddlers, and children’s programs. According to extensive research, experts recommend no screen time for children under two years old, less than an hour a day of intentional screen time for those ages two to five, and less than two hours a day of intentional screen time for those older than five (American Psychological Association, 2019, para. 4; Canadian Paediatric Society, 2022, para. 41; Fraser Health, 2022, para. 3). Our children’s ministry department is committed to following these guidelines. So, what, if any, technology is used in each program?
Babies:
We keep it tech-free for our babies - no digital screens. We are also intentional about our use of music, which is played through a Bluetooth speaker. A song is played as each baby engages with music toys. Besides that, the amount of additional music played is limited as we intentionally use music to interact with the babies and teach them about worship.
Toddlers:
We are intentional with our limited use of technology during our toddler’s program. During the lesson, the SMART board is used to play up to two worship videos and a song connected to the lesson. Besides that, we keep it tech-free for our toddlers - no digital screens.
Kids:
We are intentional about the use of technology during our kid's program. During the lesson, a SMART board is used to enhance the lesson through basic slide shows, occasional video clips, and worship videos. From time to time, a Christian movie or video is also played for the children.
Want to learn more about technology, how it's affecting our kids, and what we can do about it? Check out these awesome pages and resources:
- American Psychological Association. (2019, December 12). Digital guidelines: Promoting healthy technology use for children. American Psychological Association. Link
- Canadian Paediatric Society. (2022, November 24). Screen time and preschool children: Promoting health and development in a digital world. Canadian Paediatric Society. Link (2022).
- Screen time for children. Fraser Health. Link
- Watch Naomi Holland's "Parent Tech Talk" below from her time here at CLCC as she teaches techniques to keep your children safe while online. Protect their mental health (and yours).