Real Life Kids
At Real Life we love kids and recognize that kids capture the heart of God. Real Life Kids' exists to partner
with parents in teaching kids about Jesus love and loving others. Our greatest desire is that through our
partnership kids will recognize their unique place and mission in God's Big Story.
Real Life Kids' communicates God and His Big Story through three exploring principles:
WONDER of God
DISCOVERY of truth (found in the Bible)
PASSION for mission that lasts a lifetime
We have seen that when kids recognize the wonder of God, discovery of truth, and passion for their place in
His Big Story, lives are transformed and changed for eternity.
Real Life Kids' also believes in "reactivating the family." A phrase that means we believe that parents have
the greatest influence on their kids. As such we want to partner with and equip you with resources that help
you lead your kids in Spiritual matters. We do this in two ways:
• Small Talk: Weekly papers your kids from three years-fifth grade bring home. These papers highlight what
we did in service and help you to take advantage of teachable moments throughout the week.
• Day Trips: Fun activities in the community for the whole family.
Where Kids Hang-out
On Route with Real Life Kids
PlayHouse (Early Childhood: Birth - 2yrs.)
Infants through crawlers are provided an environment that warms and welcomes them. From age & stage appropriate activities and toys to welcoming arms that care and pray for each of our smallest members of Real Life- we may not be mom or dad, but these little ones feel loved.
Toddlers- 2 years old are provided an environment that is ready for exploration. Toys, activities, songs, and even a Bible lesson are designed to captivate their wonder and discover moments. While introducing them to the God that loves them, made them, and wants to be forever friends with them.
PlayGround (Preschool: 3yrs. - Kindergarten)
This environment is whimsical in nature and based around the fact that this age learns through play and discovery. We introduce Community Time, Large Group Time, and Real Group Time in the PlayGround.
3 and 4 year olds begin and end their morning together. Their Community and Real Group Times are focused around play and five senses experience.
5 year olds and Kindergarten begin and end their time together. Their Community and Real Group Times still offer play and experience, while adding more verbal sharing time.
Realville (Early Elementary: 1st – 3rd grade)
A place where whimsical and real come together. Presented in a Dr. Seus style this environment encourages kids expanding worlds of neighborhood, school, and the community itself. Realville emphasizes how they live-out or make “real” loving God and loving others.
Merge (Upper Elementary: 4th & 5th grade)
Merging faith and life. At this changing and developing stage of life the emphasis is on living faith in the everyday moments of life. This environment leans heavily on the community side and offers a unique space and activities that are gender specific. As boys and girls have “cooties” or “crushes” these specified places assist in fostering deeper community without distraction.
PlayHouse (Early Childhood: Birth - 2yrs.)
Infants through crawlers are provided an environment that warms and welcomes them. From age & stage appropriate activities and toys to welcoming arms that care and pray for each of our smallest members of Real Life- we may not be mom or dad, but these little ones feel loved.
Toddlers- 2 years old are provided an environment that is ready for exploration. Toys, activities, songs, and even a Bible lesson are designed to captivate their wonder and discover moments. While introducing them to the God that loves them, made them, and wants to be forever friends with them.
PlayGround (Preschool: 3yrs. - Kindergarten)
This environment is whimsical in nature and based around the fact that this age learns through play and discovery. We introduce Community Time, Large Group Time, and Real Group Time in the PlayGround.
3 and 4 year olds begin and end their morning together. Their Community and Real Group Times are focused around play and five senses experience.
5 year olds and Kindergarten begin and end their time together. Their Community and Real Group Times still offer play and experience, while adding more verbal sharing time.
Realville (Early Elementary: 1st – 3rd grade)
A place where whimsical and real come together. Presented in a Dr. Seus style this environment encourages kids expanding worlds of neighborhood, school, and the community itself. Realville emphasizes how they live-out or make “real” loving God and loving others.
Merge (Upper Elementary: 4th & 5th grade)
Merging faith and life. At this changing and developing stage of life the emphasis is on living faith in the everyday moments of life. This environment leans heavily on the community side and offers a unique space and activities that are gender specific. As boys and girls have “cooties” or “crushes” these specified places assist in fostering deeper community without distraction.
How They Are Taught
On a normal Sunday morning from 3 years to 5th grade you will find …
Community Time (Assists in fostering relationship)
Large Group Time (Worship, Bible Lab presented & experienced)
Real Group Time (Discussion and application of Bible Lesson, prayer)
Community Time is anything from playing a game to seeing who has the same pets as you. We have found that kids need a time to connect with other kids and the leaders in a classroom as part of their spiritual development. So we take having fun very seriously and use the opportunity to make new friends, introduce the bottom line for the day, or practice friendship skills.
Example: What looks like playtime or chaos to you is the same experience you have when you drink coffee with friends. Community- it’s essential to life and spiritual maturity.
Large Group Time is our version of cooperate worship much like adults have in the main service. This time emphasizes wonder, discovery, and passion in God. Kids will experience times of singing praise to God, praying, and learning how they are part of God’s big story as recorded in the Bible. Bible Labs are presented and experienced through a variety of means: skits, show and tell, movie clips, object lessons and anything else God brings to us. Our heart is to use anything and everything to help kids connect to God’s love and loving others.
Real Group Time is the place each kids gets the opportunity to share, ask questions, and practice applying the Bible Lab in a small group of 8-10 kids and a leader. Even our youngest kids look forward to this time. It is a safe place to discuss the Bible lesson, issues at school or home, or ask for prayer for a friend. In a large way it is their accountability group. This time is also a place to continue to foster relationship and practically apply the Bible Lab. Rather this happens through games, work pages, service project or sharing a snack together; be prepare to be amazed at the depth of these kids and how much they love God and one another.
Community Time (Assists in fostering relationship)
Large Group Time (Worship, Bible Lab presented & experienced)
Real Group Time (Discussion and application of Bible Lesson, prayer)
Community Time is anything from playing a game to seeing who has the same pets as you. We have found that kids need a time to connect with other kids and the leaders in a classroom as part of their spiritual development. So we take having fun very seriously and use the opportunity to make new friends, introduce the bottom line for the day, or practice friendship skills.
Example: What looks like playtime or chaos to you is the same experience you have when you drink coffee with friends. Community- it’s essential to life and spiritual maturity.
Large Group Time is our version of cooperate worship much like adults have in the main service. This time emphasizes wonder, discovery, and passion in God. Kids will experience times of singing praise to God, praying, and learning how they are part of God’s big story as recorded in the Bible. Bible Labs are presented and experienced through a variety of means: skits, show and tell, movie clips, object lessons and anything else God brings to us. Our heart is to use anything and everything to help kids connect to God’s love and loving others.
Real Group Time is the place each kids gets the opportunity to share, ask questions, and practice applying the Bible Lab in a small group of 8-10 kids and a leader. Even our youngest kids look forward to this time. It is a safe place to discuss the Bible lesson, issues at school or home, or ask for prayer for a friend. In a large way it is their accountability group. This time is also a place to continue to foster relationship and practically apply the Bible Lab. Rather this happens through games, work pages, service project or sharing a snack together; be prepare to be amazed at the depth of these kids and how much they love God and one another.
What Is Taught
PlayHouse &
PlayGround use a curriculum appropriately titled “First
Look.” Which is a first impression of a loving Heavenly Father. We
want preschoolers to take a first look at who God is and understand
that:
God made me
God loves me
Jesus wants to be my friend forever
Each week kids will explore one of these three principles through: a key question, bottom line, memory verse, and Bible study focus. They will also be sent home with “Small Talk” a tool for you to recognize and take advantage of teaching moments throughout the week.
Realville uses “Hand’s on” by Group Publishing. This curriculum uses simple, everyday objects- just as Jesus did- to illustrate eternal Bible truths. Take-home papers will also be sent home each week to assist you in recognizing and taking advantage of teaching moments throughout the week.
Merge uses “Grapple” by Group Publishing. This curriculum is designed for preteens. It is question based and focuses on family, faith, and friends. All of the questions lead to “daring” the student to live their faith in the everyday. Take-home papers will also be sent home each week to assist you in recognizing and taking advantage of teaching moments throughout the week.
God made me
God loves me
Jesus wants to be my friend forever
Each week kids will explore one of these three principles through: a key question, bottom line, memory verse, and Bible study focus. They will also be sent home with “Small Talk” a tool for you to recognize and take advantage of teaching moments throughout the week.
Realville uses “Hand’s on” by Group Publishing. This curriculum uses simple, everyday objects- just as Jesus did- to illustrate eternal Bible truths. Take-home papers will also be sent home each week to assist you in recognizing and taking advantage of teaching moments throughout the week.
Merge uses “Grapple” by Group Publishing. This curriculum is designed for preteens. It is question based and focuses on family, faith, and friends. All of the questions lead to “daring” the student to live their faith in the everyday. Take-home papers will also be sent home each week to assist you in recognizing and taking advantage of teaching moments throughout the week.
Who Teaches and is Involved With My Kids
Creating safe, caring, and fun environments at the heart of Real
Life Kids.
So, each member of the Real Life Kids Team has been background and referenced checked. They have also been trained or are shadowing a trained Team Member to ensure your child is taught in the most engaging experience that we can offer.
So, each member of the Real Life Kids Team has been background and referenced checked. They have also been trained or are shadowing a trained Team Member to ensure your child is taught in the most engaging experience that we can offer.
Beyond Sunday Oportunites : The Scenic Route
Christmas
Program: October- December kids have the opportunity to use
drama and art skills in a “Big Church” presentation and celebration
of Jesus. Please contact Pastor Heather for more specifics or if
you are interested in helping.
Day Trips: Opportunities to participate in some fun around the community and with other Real Life Families. These Trips are designed to encourage a shared family experience and require that a parent or another adult participate with the child.
(Examples from this past Summer, BBQ’s, fishing, and kids camp.)
Service Projects: a couple times a year opportunities will be offered for families to serve together in our community. Please watch for more information on this event, as it is a valuable way to teach giving back to the community and making an impact in unlikely places.
Day Trips: Opportunities to participate in some fun around the community and with other Real Life Families. These Trips are designed to encourage a shared family experience and require that a parent or another adult participate with the child.
(Examples from this past Summer, BBQ’s, fishing, and kids camp.)
Service Projects: a couple times a year opportunities will be offered for families to serve together in our community. Please watch for more information on this event, as it is a valuable way to teach giving back to the community and making an impact in unlikely places.
