Tip of the Week: Manners Matter

     Most Crossroads Kids Club programs offer the children a snack when they first arrive. The practical reality is that the children have been in school all day, and by the time they arrive at Crossroads for an after school club, they are hungry. A friend of mine, Joe Maydak, who volunteers at a Crossroads club has a good habit when he distributes the snacks. Each child is encouraged to ask for a snack with a "please" and to say "thank you" once they receive it. It is such a simple thing that Joe is teaching them to do, but it is so important that the kids learn good manners. Saying "please" and "thank you" will only help these students as they grow older and need to communicate with adults in various contexts (like job interviews or college interviews). So, this week's tip is to find ways to incorporate manners into your ministry. Many kids are not learning even basic manners at home, so this is an area in which we can serve children well and also enhance the positive culture of the club.