How Can You Keep Your Child Occupied During Mass?

You are in church and your child is having a hard time keeping still and being quiet. What can you do?

Behavior Expectations- Does your child know how he/she is expected to behave during Mass? When establishing rules you should identify behavioral expectations for your children. Tips and examples posted that can be used for one child or several.

Visual Schedules- Having a chart or visual schedule displayed of what they are going to do and activities in advance can provide security and keep inappropriate behavior down to a minimum.

Behavior Contracts and Behavior Charts- Steps for Developing, Implementing, and Monitoring

Good Behavior Classroom Strategies & Games- These suggestions can be used with one child or with a group.

Social Stories For Church- Social stories are an effective method of providing both guidance and direction to promote self-awareness, self-calming, and self-management in responding to social situations. The technique involves creating a short story that describes the situation and includes appropriate actions and expressions. By creating a short story, the situation is described in terms of relevant social cues, anticipated actions and information on what is occurring and why. The stories are written according to specific guidelines based on Gray’s extensive use of this technique. The story is also customized for the individual and their circumstance.

Children at Mass- Suggestions and tips

DIY Mass Bag- Do you have problems getting your kids to behave during Mass? Well, Alicia at through-my-is.blogspot.com came up with a great idea for this problem that might help you.

Free Religious Coloring Pages- Free and printable

Free Children’s Worship Bulletins- Have your child do these activities that correlate with the day’s Gospel Reading.

Free Catholic Printables- Worksheets, Games, Bulletins, Puzzles, Booklets, etc.

Behavior at Mass Worksheet- Draw a smile face next to the good things to do during Holy Mass. Draw a sad face next to the things not to do during Holy Mass.