We Need to Create Online Content for Families

Note of the editors: We are experiencing the second wave of Covid-19 with all the re­strictions and limitations we already dealt with earlier this year. Many of our church­es are probably closed, and we are faced with the challenge of dropping attention to Online events that might not be considered as relevant. The following article can help to get some hints and ideas for a different focus on preparing Online material and events in order to keep families connected.

New research has revealed that par­ents and kids are spending more time watching content together at home.

Of course, a big part of this is due to Covid-19, but the research is showing that even after the virus passes, fami­lies are going to be spending more time viewing Online content together.

Over 3,000 parents were interviewed about watching content with their chil­dren. Over 75% of the parents surveyed said they watch Online content with their children several times a week.

Once the pandemic ends, 66% of par­ents expect the time they spend watch­ing content with their kids will either stay the same or increase. More than half of parents (62%) said the most popular device for co-viewing are smart TVs.

YouTube Kids, Disney+ and PBS Kids are the most popular viewing channels. Here are the big platforms families are watching on together.

• YouTube Kids – 95%
• Disney+ – 75%
• PBS kids – 46%
• Kidstream – 22%
• Noggin – 21%
• Boomerang – 15%
• DreamWorks TV – 15%
• Hoopla – 15%

The families surveyed said that the kids are usually the deciding voice in what the family watches. As usual in most aspects of family life, the kids have great power when the family is making a decision.

Due to Covid-19, many ministries have started offering Online content for kids. The content is created specifically for kids. Which is a good thing….but what if someone decided to make the content geared not just for the kiddos, but for the parents and their kids to watch together?

We often talk about ways to help kids and parents grow together spiritually. I believe this would be a great way to help accomplish this. At this time, I am not aware of any churches or ministries that are doing this.

Here is what I envision for this:

• A format where kids and parents both actively participate. One intertwined with the other.
• Content where one is dependent on the other. Example—have kids say a key verse, then have parent say the key verse and then both say it together.
• Icebreakers where kids and par­ents work together to deepen their relationships.
• Activities that parents and kids do together. Hands on and participatory.
• Promote it as a family activity. Parents must participate for it to work for their family.
• Lead kids and parents in a time of prayer where they pray for each other and other requests they may have.
• Make the videos 10 minutes or so.
• Have them do a project or activity during the week that ties into the lesson. Kids and parents would do this together.
• Make it live, but then also put it on de­mand so families are not just limited to one time slot.
• Use platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Zoom and others.

The entertainment world has been doing this for decades. Companies like Disney create movies that are aimed at kids and parents watching it together. Some of the best selling movies of all time have been movies aimed at kids and parents watching together.

I see so many possibilities with this. It might be a great way to really engage kids and parents together.

Your turn.

Taken from: Dale Hudson, https://churchleaders.com/children/childrens-ministry-articles/386609-we-need-to-create-online-content-for-families.html