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Step 1
Establish connections with each student. Becoming friends with your students is just as important as being an authority figure. If your students view you as someone they can trust as well as learn from, they will be more likely to respect you.
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Step 2
Lay down classroom rules. Let your students know exactly what you expect their behavior to be like. Advise them to treat the Sunday School classroom like they would an academic one. Be patient, but firm. To increase the probability that children will follow classroom behavioral rules, include them in the creation of classroom policies. Tack a reminder of the rules at the front of the class.
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Step 3
Use the classroom's chalkboard or whiteboard to remind children of their behavior. The visual reminder can be as simple as a 1 to 10 scale of classroom noise or behavior. Decrease or increase the numbers as the students' behavior improves or worsens.
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Step 4
Create a reward program for good behavior. Introduce your students to "Bible Bucks." Bible Bucks uses slips of paper that resemble real money, except that they are marked with images of important Bible Figures. Give your students Bible Bucks when they have shown exemplary behavior in the classroom. Keep small prizes available for when the students want to exchange their Bible Bucks for treats.
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Step 5
Build a candy tree. Candy trees can be created with fake, small trees usually used for home decoration. Hang candy on the tree branches and reward your students after exhibiting good behavior or participating in class.
