This is a presentation of 15-20 different storytelling techniques. The attendees enjoy a very participatory experience and leave with new tools to make story presentation engaging and fun.
Workshops
Bring Tina! to Your Event and Tailor the Experience for Your Group
Tina has shared at churches, children's pastors' conferences, home school conventions, and MOPS groups. Because she presents a wide variety of workshops, she will work with you to customize your event. Her workshops deliver fun,Tina's joy for life, and her powerful vision for the important job of teaching children. You can pick and choose from a menu of great workshops.
Contact Tina at tina@kidzmatter.com to schedule her to come to your event and customize the experience for your needs. Bring her for an hour, a day, weekend, or ...
Most Popular Workshops
Going Live in 3... 2... 1... With Creative Storytelling Techniques
Beakers, Bubbles and the Bible - Teaching with Experiments
How did that work? Do that again! Cool! These are all comments your kids will have when they experience science experiments with a twist. Teach biblical truth using experiments that will fascinate your kids (and you, too).
Check out a sample of Tina teaching as Dr. Bunsenburner:
Understanding Multiple Intelligences
God made each of us with at least eight different pathways or intelligences available for taking hold of information. Some intelligences may be stronger than others in each individual, but they are meant to work together so the most can be learned from every situation. The workshop shows how all eight intelligences can be incorporated into one lesson so that each student receives a well-rounded grasp of what you want them to remember.
Child Development
Understanding Multiple Intelligences
God made each of us with at least eight different pathways or intelligences available for taking hold of information. Some intelligences may be stronger than others in each individual, but they are meant to work together so the most can be learned from every situation. The workshop shows how all eight intelligences can be incorporated into one lesson so that each student receives a well-rounded grasp of what you want them to remember.
Gifted and Capable Kids
Outline of opportunities kids can be given to share in meaningful worship experiences with the entire congregation.
Lasso the Energy
With an attention span of about four minutes and an endless supply of energy, preschoolers need to be taught in a way that addresses both of those characteristics. Let’s respect how God made these little ones. If we provide kids with experiences that connect in a way that meets their needs, then we’ll see preschoolers meet Jesus. Also available: "Lasso the Energy 2"
Effective Organization
Building Children's Ministry
Okay, you're convinced that children's ministry is a high priority ... BUT, how do you start? Take home basic principles and practical steps for getting up and running.
The Importance of Children’s Ministries
Investing in our children is of paramount importance. Tina’s passion is worn openly as she shares her heart and her research.
Fun Training Sessions that They’ll Actually Attend
Learn how to use a theme to create a fun “meeting” where adult leaders of children will learn techniques and yet feel like they’ve been to a party.
Teaching Children Spiritual Disciplines
Making Scripture Sticky
Kids need to have scripture stuck in their hearts and minds … not just the words, but the meaning and application to their own lives. This workshop provides lots of ways you can do just that, so the Word will be a lamp to their feet and a light for their path.
Family Devotions Made Fun
It’s important to live a lifestyle of devotion and take advantage of those teachable moments, but families also need something to experience together that will unite them spiritually. Parents are intimidated and overwhelmed at the thought of leading family devotions. This workshop will give children’s ministry leaders ideas to equip families to make family devotions a time where memories can be made. (Parents will benefit, also, from this workshop.)
Unwrapping the Servant Within
Studies show us that children have a strong foundation on their spiritual beliefs and the way they view society by the time they reach the age of 12. Unwrapped is a program that introduces 2nd and 3rd graders to serving as Jesus would serve. Learn how you can help your younger elementary children embrace servanthood.
Making Prayer Real
Memorizing prayers has its value, but if it’s the only way we teach children to pray, we’re missing the mark. We’ll introduce you to a variety of engaging ways for kids to pray—individually, with family and in a group setting. Help kids realize that prayer is a real conversation and not just something to recite in your nightly going-to-bed routine.
Kid's Church
Making Prayer Real
Memorizing prayers has its value, but if it’s the only way we teach children to pray, we’re missing the mark. We’ll introduce you to a variety of engaging ways for kids to pray—individually, with family and in a group setting. Help kids realize that prayer is a real conversation and not just something to recite in your nightly going-to-bed routine.
We’re Not in Big Church Anymore
Kids’ church is different than adult worship and it’s a staple in most children’s ministry programs, but how it’s approached varies greatly. The trends indicate that we’re moving back toward a leader-driven approach after depending on video teaching the past few years. What do kids need to find and experience in kids’ church?
Easter-iffic - Teaching Kids it's More than One Day
We’ve counted it up, and there are more than 25 Bible stories that take place during Holy Week, between Palm Sunday and the Resurrection. How many weeks do you spend teaching about Holy Week? 2? 3? Shouldn’t we be focusing a little more on this week that is monstrously important to our faith? We’re going to give you loads of ideas for your Easter celebration and so you’ll have a running start. It won’t sneak up on you this year!
Building the Leader/Teacher
Learning to be Creative
Yes you can! Don’t give up on your creativity. God is the great Creator and you were made in His image … therefore you must be creative. Identify ways to release your creative juices.
Review is a Key to Learning
Tell them, then tell them again in another way, and then repeat yourself in yet a third way. But how do you do that?
Creating Exciting Learning Environments
Interesting, appropriate environments speak volumes. They say to parents that your child is important to us, while inviting children to enter and engage in the lesson.
Using Costumed Characters
This is a demonstration of how easy it is to have many differing personalities, but only one person, teaching a group of children. Learn how to 
develop simple and inexpensive costumed characters, like Captain Kid, Frito Lay, Chef Bakesalot, Dr. Fran Bunsenburner, and more.
Exciting Techniques
Movin’ and Groovin’
Kids love to move while they sing. Here are loads of ideas that will excite the children and give them tools to better express themselves.
BIG Fun Cool Stuff
We’re going to show you lots of ideas that you can use with the big, fun, cool stuff we’ve found. These are all things we’ve come across outside of the Christian education market that can be used in children’s ministry … and we’re going to demonstrate how. Play with us and get some great ideas!
Teaching with Games
Kids play … that’s the way God made them, so let’s respect it. This workshop demonstrates how to take games that kids love and make them learning experiences. The kids love it … and that means you’ll enjoy teaching more.
100 Uses for Balloons
Who needs all the bells and whistles … we’ve got balloons! Cheap and readily available, balloons are always appealing and a staple in children’s ministry. There’ll be lots of hands-on as we discover how to use balloons in science experiments, scripture memorization, story reinforcement games, crafts, learning the books of the Bible, storytelling, and object lessons.
More Than Cookies and Punch - Using Refreshments to Teach
When polled on what kids wish they had more of at church, they overwhelmingly responded “snacks.” So, why not reinforce Bible lessons by letting the kids create their own snacks. Based on her book More Than Cookies and Punch, there’ll be lots of ideas on how to make snack time a meaningful experience.
Overcoming Difficult Circumstances
Tina Tells Her Story - Differently Abled
Tina was diagnosed with crippling rheumatoid arthritis on her 18th birthday. Her personal journey has taken her through 44 surgeries and learning how to walk twice. She shares her life story and how God has shown her that life with joy is a life worth living