March 2011

Email - derrick@lmbc.us
Phone - 770.428.5335 ext 306
Website - http://lmbckidz.blogspot.com
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Help Kids Use Positive Language

As the Bible describes in James 3, the tongue may be small, but it Ask God:
can do an awful lot of damage. Unfortunately, name-calling, curs-
ing, bickering, whining, and putdowns find their way into most 1. To help you and your kids use
homes. Yet our words also have the power to heal, mend rifts, en- positive, God-pleasing words.
courage other people, and praise God. Proverbs 25:11 (NIV) com-
pares well-chosen and well-timed words to “apples of gold in set- 2. To guard your tongue from
tings of silver.” temptations to curse or use his
name in vain.
This month’s newsletter explores ways to get your children talking
in positive, God-pleasing ways. Use these tips to get started: 3. To help your family members
use words that uplift one an-
Walk the walk, talk the talk. Kids are listen- other.
ing, so watch your own language and model ap-
propriate talk—even when you think little ears Parenting Insights
aren’t listening.
These guidelines from Children’s
Teach children how to apologize. Hurtful Ministry Magazine describe how
words can’t be “unsaid,” but people can offer profanity affects children:
heartfelt apologies and change their ways. Offer
examples of how to say sorry, and remember to Ages 2 to 5
seek children’s forgiveness when you mess up. Preschoolers simply repeat what
they hear, so try to limit media
Listen up! Proverbs 10:19 contains valuable advice that often exposure. Don’t react to foul lan-
goes unheeded: “Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.” Help chil- guage with shock or anger; calmly
dren understand the importance of stopping to think before you explain that those words hurt peo-
speak. When in doubt, it’s always better to seal your lips rather than ple’s feelings.
say something you may regret.
Ages 6 to 9
Praise God throughout the day. Talk frequently about how Explain that words are “bad” when
good God is and thank him for his many blessings. Share favorite they’re used to hurt others. Also
Bible passages, pray with one another, and brainstorm ways you explain that misusing God’s name
can serve God and other people. When we focus on God and good is disrespectful. Tell children we
words, our mouths and lives will bear good fruit. can use God’s name to praise him
or pray to him.
Say What?!
Ages 10 to 12
The use of profanity among young children is on the rise, according Preteens use profanity to get a re-
to researcher Timothy Jay. Kids no longer learn curse words from action from adults and to impress
peers at school; instead, they hear them at home. Nearly two- friends. Let them know that ob-
thirds of surveyed adults said that despite prohibiting their children scene language and gestures aren’t
from swearing at home, they break their own rules regularly. This acceptable, and teach them dis-
double standard confuses and irritates kids, most of whom say cernment to censor their own lan-
they’re frightened when their parents curse. guage.
(www.livescience.com, www.findarticles.com)
 “Don’t use foul or abusive
language. Let everything
you say be good and help-
ful, so that your words will
be an encouragement to
those who hear them.”
Ephesians 4:29

Words are powerful. God tells Explore children’s thoughts about words by asking these dis-
us to use language to build cussion questions:
people up, not tear them down.
1. Why are words so powerful? How does it feel to know that you
Teachable Moments can help or hurt someone just by what you say?

1. “Cheer”ful Words—As a 2. What do our words say about us? What do they say about God or
family, come up with catchy our relationship with him?
cheers for praising God. Also
create a personalized, en- 3. Why can it be so hard to tame our tongue? How can we help each
couraging cheer for each other remember to use positive, kind language?
family member.
4. What words best describe how you feel about God, and why?
2. It’s All in the Delivery—
When speaking, watch your
tone and delivery. Say some
words short, or staccato, Family Experience: What’s the Word?
and draw out others. You
can also vary the volume. Use these devotional ideas to get your family talking about
These changes will keep language—and how we use it.
your words interesting to
children and just plain fun. Picture This—Use word pictures to verbally
illustrate Bible truths. For example, discuss the
3. Sign Up—Children love to importance of having clean thoughts and using
learn sign language, so use clean words, based on 2 Corinthians 10:5
motions to reinforce Bible (NIV): “We take captive every thought to make
lessons. Check out a library it obedient to Christ.” Talk about a lasso and
book or video about sign how it’s used. Give each family member a
language. Learn how to sign small piece of rope and let them tie a lasso.
phrases such as “Jesus loves Then discuss what it would be like to “lasso” a
me” or “Jesus is our healer.” bad thought or word.

Speak Up!—Emphasize that God wants us to

communicate and work together—even when
we all seem to be speaking different lan-
guages. You’ll need a bunch of toilet paper rolls, clear cellophane
tape, and a slip of paper for each family member with one of these
directions written on it: “Say the opposite of what you mean,”
“Remain silent and use no body language,” “Gesture with your
hands,” “Ask questions,” and “Talk in baby talk.” Have each person
take a slip and keep the directions secret. Say: “You have to build a
tower as high as you can in three minutes. You’re allowed to commu-
4. Out-of-This-World nicate only the way your slip of paper instructs.” Afterward, ask:
Names—Help children come “How did it feel to communicate this way? Have you ever felt like that
up with creative names for in our family? Explain.” Read aloud Genesis 11:1-9. Ask: “Why do
God that describe what he’s you think God confused the people’s languages?” Say: “God doesn’t
done for us, such as heart- want us to rebel like the people in our story. He wants us to commu-
fixer-upper, happily-dappily- nicate well with our family members and work together.” Close in
loveful, sunny-joy-rageous. prayer, asking God to help you all speak in kind, helpful ways.
 This page is designed to help educate parents and isn’t meant to endorse any movie, music, or product.
Our prayer is that you’ll make informed decisions about what your children watch, listen to, and wear.

What’s Playing at the Movies

What’s happening right
Movie: Rango (March 4)
now that may affect your
Genre: Animated comedy
children and family:
Rating: G
Cast: Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin
Young stutterers are en-
Synopsis: In this computer-animated film from Indus-
couraged by the film The
trial Light & Magic, Rango, a pet chameleon, ends up in
King’s Speech. “I’m not
the Old West town of Dirt. He tries to be the “good guy”
stupid,” says an 11 year
hero, although his predecessors have fallen short.
old who’s stuttered since
Discussion Questions: How successful are you at being “good”? What
preschool. (AP)
gets in the way of your best efforts to follow rules and set a good ex-
ample? Read aloud Romans 7:19-20. Why can’t we be perfect? How
The popularity of cell-
does it feel knowing that Jesus was perfect and died in our place?
phone cameras has hos-
pitals re-evaluating deliv-
ery-room rules. Some
What Music Is Releasing expectant parents are
Artist: Francesca Battistelli fighting restrictions via
Album: Hundred More Years online petition.
(New York Times)
Artist Info: The 25-year-old singer-songwriter
grew up in a musical family in New York City. Her
soulful pop sound includes traces of jazz and R&B.
Battistelli is married to percussionist Matthew
Goodwin, and the couple became parents last fall.
Summary: In this follow-up to her major-label de-
but My Paper Heart, Battistelli explores friendship, family, and God’s
faithfulness. In “This Is the Stuff,” she explores life’s craziness and
frustrations. “In the middle of my little mess,” Battistelli sings, “I forget
how big I’m blessed.” ______________
Discussion Questions: When does your life feel crazy or messy?
What can make you forget about God and how much he loves you? Quick Stats
Read aloud John 1:16. What are some ways God has blessed you? How
can you use those blessings to bless other people? One in seven new mar-
riages is between
spouses of different races
What Games Are Out or ethnicities.
(Pew Research Center)
Rating
Title Content
& Platform Nearly one in 10 kids who
plays video games is at
In this popular puzzle game, players launch E; PlayStation 3,
risk of addiction.
birds, via slingshot, at pigs. It’s spreading to phone app, Windows,
Angry Birds (Pediatrics)
more formats and merchandise, with a pos- Mac (soon coming to
sible TV series or movie down the road. Wii and more)
A study saying working
Users practice their spelling words while parents have 90 minutes
Scripps Spelling increasing their vocabularies. A dictionary of free time a day is news
E; Nintendo DS
Bee offers definitions and pronunciations.
to many stressed-out
Players compete in skill games in 14 differ-
folks. Author Susan
PokePark Wii: Pi- ent levels. Also contains an in-game econ- Bartell suggests using
E; Wii
kachu’s Adventure omy based on berries that players can “cash kids’ activities for down
in.” time and social time.
(moms.today.com)
RATINGS: EC=Early Childhood, E=Everyone (ages 6+), E10+ (ages 10+), T=Teen (ages 13+)