Reasons All Children Should Enjoy Vacation Bible School

Vacation bible school is a popular summertime activity for children from the ages of 3 to 10, or thereabouts. In many cases there is much more emphasis on “vacation” than “bible,” which is understandable for the age group, although like everything else there is a broad range of types and styles of these programs.

Some parents do consider the religious component of primary importance, especially for older children, and will choose a program that has more structured bible studies, at least stories with biblical characters and themes. For other parents, the most important thing is the socialization of their children, and the interpersonal skills they will develop in the vacation bible school setting. Children instinctively like being around other children, for the most part, and this allows most kids the opportunity for a great deal of fun, along with some education, too.

Denominational or not
For parents of all Christian denominations, from Catholic to Pentecostal, vacation bible school is good for themselves as well as for the children. It is, for many families, a happy combination of childcare, play time, class projects and Sunday school. Among the religiously oriented programs, parents can seek out one with bible instruction that is appropriate for their denomination. If their own church is large enough to offer such a vacation program, they will most likely place their children in that one to maintain the peer group associations and continuity.

Interestingly, some Hindu, Buddhist and even Muslin parents, if they cannot locate a vacation program in their own faith system, will place their children in a Christian vacation bible school. They are more concerned with their children getting socialized, learning to play together, having a positive environment and learning ethical behavior than they are with having yet another source besides themselves for their children’s spiritual instruction. These days, they can choose from a variety of programs that emphasize common positive themes, citizenship and education as opposed to a steady diet of religious lessons.

From the kids’ point of view
Children are complex little creatures, as all parents know. But no matter how unique they are (and they all are), they share certain traits, worldwide and in all cultures. The reasons all children should enjoy vacation bible school include the most basic one, of course, which is that they are social animals that love to play. With the great mix of activities, for both body and mind, the good vacation bible schools will help children channel their abundant energies into good things. They will learn that learning itself is enjoyable, and that working hard can be its own reward and a source of continuing enjoyment, too.

Some few children will have a hard time adjusting, and others will not want to let go of mommy’s hand at the door on the first day. The fact is, a parent who relents and lets a child decide on her own not to attend, is robbing the youngster of a tremendous opportunity for growing and maturing. Letting go of their parents and establishing their own “person” in the world is at once a frightening and exciting thing for children, and parents simply must allow them to go through it. In the vast majority of cases, the child who arrives crying and missing mom and dad will be up to her elbows in finger paint by mid-morning.

The truth is, many people remember their vacation bible school experiences with great joy, and consider them important landmarks on their life’s journey. The benefits of this time spent in learning, play and some kid-style morality tales can last a lifetime. In fact, some people do not realize until much later in life the tremendous impact things like vacation bible school had on their thinking, their ethics and their lives. If you’re a parent with young children, there are few better ways to support their general growth, positive play activities, education and (low-key) moral instruction than with a couple of weeks of vacation bible school.

Concordia Supply has everything you’re looking for to make vacation bible school and Sunday school a success with the kids. Visit us online for all your church supplies.