All AWANA Leaders

If you are brand new to the AWANA Program the training modules below are for YOU! After this training you can go to more specifics on your small group club.

CUBBIES: PreK (3 years before September 1 and potty trained)

SPARKS: Kindergarten through 2nd Grade

T&T: 3rd through 6th Grade

What is AWANA?

This training is designed to give you an introduction to the AWANA program in general and the AWANA program at Eastern Hills specifically.  This short video gives you an introduction to the overall AWANA program.

What is AWANA?

Sharing the Gospel

Belong, Believe, Become

Testimony

Special Needs

Relational Discipleship for AWANA Leaders

As an AWANA leader, these precious children need to know you love and care for them.  Scripture challenges us to love children as God does. 1 John 4:7a says, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God.”

A loving leader opens the door to a child’s receptiveness to hearing the Gospel and their willingness to learn more about the loving God we serve.

AWANA Leader Responsibilities

  • Is prepared to share the Gospel

  • Arrives 15 minutes before AWANA begins

  • Greets and engages with children

  • Sits with children during Large Group time to help with engagement and discipline

  • Leads Small Group Time

  • Reviews the lesson

  • Listens to verses

  • Prays with the children

  • Builds relationships with kids

  • Assists children during Game Time

  • Connects with children and parents during the week (e.g., cards, postcards, email, phone calls) and seeks ways to give feedback and encouragement

The Five-Count

The Five-Count is a proven, effective method for group discipline. The leader in charge (usually club or game director) counts to five slowly and loudly, while holding up one hand in the air and counting with his or her fingers. Leaders and kids respond by being quiet and giving their full attention to the counting leader. When you have the group’s attention, proceed with your instructions.

This method of discipline can be used during any segment you need to get the group’s attention. Children may be rewarded with positive reinforcements such as team points or incentives.

Positive Team Points and awana bucks

Positive Points is a team discipline method that encourages kids to be kind and well-disciplined and helps them focus on doing things in a Christ-like manner. It allows teams to earn collective points/bucks for positive behavior through every segment of club. Teams can earn points for being quiet when asked, cheering for their teammates, being ready to go, or being quiet quickly. Points/bucks can also be awarded to individuals for passing sections, answering questions, or helping others. All team or individual points are awarded as points for the entire team.

The key to Positive Points for discipline is that teams and individuals are awarded for good behavior, not subtracted for negative behavior.

The Three-Count

While the Five-Count is used for a group setting, the Three-Count is used for an individual child who continues to misbehave, affecting your ability to lead the group well. Generally, a gentle verbal reprimand is all it takes to get a child back on course. When that doesn’t work, a Three-Count can help a misbehaving child self-correct.

The following is an example of how the Three-Count can be used to deal with a child’s disruptive behavior and may be adjusted to fit the needs of your kids, leadership structure, or behavioral issue.

  • ONE-COUNT:

    • Quietly talk to the child away from other children. Explain why their behavior is inappropriate and teach them what appropriate behavior would look like in the situation. The child receives a warning for their behavior.

  • TWO-COUNT:

    • If the child continues to display inappropriate behavior, bring him or her to your Club Director or Awana Director. Together, have a conversation about the expected appropriate behavior and look for ways to help the child have a successful time in club.

    • With a Two-Count, the child could be removed from activities and stay in a safe place in the sight of at least two adults. When the Sparks Director/Awana Director feels the child is ready, they may return to the activities.

  • THREE-COUNT:

    • If the child continues to misbehave after returning to club activities, the child should be removed for the rest of the club and the Awana Director should speak to the child’s parent(s) or guardian(s).

 EHCC AWANA Leadership

Children’s Ministry Director: Lindsey Tollefson

Cubbies Director: Emily Mullins

Sparks Director: Mandy Sorensen

T&T Director: Lindsey Tollefson