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FAQ’s about Tadpoles
Below are some commonly asked questions about getting a Tadpoles group started, along with some questions you may want to consider as you get things going. As always, if you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact us. For instructions on getting a Tadpoles group started, click here.
1. Why should we start a Tadpoles group?
Because men need help learning to be fathers. The best time to begin is when their children are very young. Tadpoles will give dads a positive experience and build their confidence. It will show them how to teach their children the stories and truths of the Bible.
2. How much will this program cost?
Very little! There is a one-time $50 Application Fee to accompany your completed Working Agreement (if this is the first time you are offering a CSB program), and a nominal annual ministry fee to be paid to CSB, currently only $75. Every dad should have a copy of the Tadpoles manual. Any other expenses are for materials and snacks at the meetings. Some groups may wish to purchase Tadpoles T-shirts.
3. What about fathers who cannot or won’t participate?
Expect this to happen. There are children in almost every church whose fathers are absent from the home. There are also dads who work night shifts or Saturdays as well as dads who have other responsibilities in the church and are not able to join a Tadpoles group.
Decide at the beginning what approach you will take. You have several options:
- Insist that fathers attend with their children. There is merit to this rule. After all, Tadpoles is for dads. To give them the option of not attending violates the primary goal of the program. Furthermore, because of the age of the children, plenty of adult involvement is needed.
- Assign children without attending fathers to various dads in the group. A dad should supervise every child. Some dads can handle two or three children.
- Recruit other men in the church to be adult partners for those children whose dads cannot be there. College students or grandfathers are good choices, too.
Work hard to get at least a core group of dads involved in Tadpoles. Encourage them to include some children from single-parent homes. Always keep the door open for every dad to participate.
4. How do we involve fathers who are not from our church?
Make them feel comfortable in the group and give them specific assignments as they indicate their willingness to help. Do this with the learning activity centres and games. The dads of the church as a rule should do the Bible story.
Invite dads and preschoolers from the community to attend. Tadpoles is an outreach program of the church as well as a ministry to fathers.
5. Where is the best place to conduct Tadpoles meetings?
The best location is a preschool meeting room in a church (or home) which is equipped with toys, tables and chairs, books and materials for craft projects (crayons, scissors, paper, glue, clay, etc.). Large play areas with carpeted floors are important.
Preschool rooms should have adequate lighting and heating, fire protection, toilets, sinks and wash basins. First-aid equipment must be available.
To use a church or day-care facility for Tadpoles will require coordination with other groups using that room. You may need to check on liability insurance to cover your group’s use of the room and equipment. Don’t presume on others in your church. Check everything out so you don’t create hard feelings.
If a preschool room is not available to you, find a play area in a home which has all or most of the above items. For the sake of the children, try to meet in the same place all the time so they become familiar and comfortable.
6. How long should a Tadpole meeting last?
The meeting plans in the Tadpoles manual suggest a minimum of 60 minutes and a maximum of 90 minutes. The length of time you choose depends on the circumstances.
If your Tadpoles group meets on a weeknight, the shorter time is preferable. Most preschoolers are not able to stay up very late. If your group meets on a Saturday morning, a longer meeting time is possible. The best way to decide this is to meet several times and see what works best for the children.
7. Should we separate boys and girls?
There is no reason to do so. Children at this age level get along well with each other. It’s more important to separate older preschoolers from the younger ones for games and more advanced learning activities.