Our purpose—To equip Christians to reach the world’s children for Christ and disciple them. Send only material directly related to this purpose. Readership—Sunday school, children’s church and Bible club teachers; children’s workers in any Christian ministry to ages 4-11.
COMMUNITY—This area encourages, motivates and counsels teachers toward passionate and effective ministry to today’s child.
• Teacher’s Exchange—true incidents from the classroom, teaching tips and insights. 75-150 words. Payment: $35.
• Successful Teachers—stories from Sunday school, clubs, camp and other outreaches that show how a teacher successfully communicated with kids, used a new method or overcame a teaching obstacle. 100-300 words. Payment: $35-$50.
• Inside Kids—share responses from kids that show their spiritual insights or needs, how they think or how to understand them better. 100-300 words. Payment: $35-$50.
TRAINING—600-word articles including teaching principles, instruction for teachers, practical ideas and classroom illustrations pertaining to one topic. Topics include: communi- cating with children, teaching missions, curriculum ideas, discipleship, evangelism, innovations in teaching the Bible, music and children, outreach programs, teaching children with special needs, fresh teaching methods and understanding kids. Payment is 15 cents a word, depending on subject and author expertise. First rights/electronic rights. Send short query with a brief outline.
FLEXIBLE LESSON—A topical lesson on some aspect of the Christian life to fill up to four 20-minute sessions.
Request guidelines. Payment: $300-$500 for full rights. Additional payment for related activities.
EASY IDEAS—Easy-to-prepare ideas for evangelizing and discipling kids, ages 6-11.
• Basic 6—creative teaching ideas on clip-and-keep cards for use with a minimum of difficulty. Topics: Attendance Boosters, Verse Drills, Crafts that Teach, Lesson Reviews, Missions Motivators, Quick Activities. 200-300 words. Payment: $35-$50/full rights.
• Object lessons—simple presentations that use everyday objects to teach spiritual truths. 250-400 words. Payment: $50-$75/full rights. Gospel at Your Fingertips (Gospel presentation): 500-600 Words. Payment: $75-$100/full rights.
• Reproducible pages—full-page learning activities for kids. 100-300 words plus suggested graphics. Payment: $75-$100/full rights.
• Seasonal helps—full page—variety of games, crafts and learning activities related to a holiday or special occasion. 2-4 ideas totaling 400-700 words. Payment: $100-$150/full rights. Send query. Single ideas: $35-$50; no query necessary.
• Read-aloud stories—contemporary stories dealing with problems kids face today—at home, school or play. A scriptural solution must be worked into the text practically and believably. 800-850 words. Payment: $75-$85 for first/electronic rights.
• Preschool Resource Center—3-6 hands-on, creative teaching ideas on a theme—for ages 4-5. 800-1200 total words. $150-$250/full rights. Send query. Single ideas: $35-$50.
Mailing Guide—standard requirements: Double spaced on one side of page with name, address and phone number. Only manuscripts accompanied by a self-addressed envelope and adequate postage will be returned. Teach Kids! cannot assume responsibility for materials lost in the mail.
Send all articles or queries to: The Editor, Teach Kids! PO Box 348, Warrenton, MO 63383-0348 or submit them here. Electronic submissions are encouraged.
FAQ for Potential Teach Kids! Writers
Are you looking for writers at this time?
Yes, we value freelance writers who can bring fresh ideas to the world of winning children to Christ.
Do you make assignments or do you prefer to work on speculation?
We do both. Assignments are usually made after a writer has proven himself through one or more articles published in Teach Kids! or a similar publication.
Do you work with both new and published writers?
Yes. We are glad to work with new writers who have taken time to study writing as well as our publication. We will invest time in a new writer if that person has invested his time.
What attracts you to a story or article and makes it publishable?
We have four training articles and one fiction story per issue. For training articles we look for strong objectives, fresh ideas, a grabbing lead, good organization and conciseness culminating in clear direction for the reader. The fiction story must be contemporary and provide spiritual help for the child. Opportunities abound for short idea articles. They must be fresh, creative, contemporary and have spiritual value for the child.
Are you strict about lengths? What are they?
Yes. Training articles are 550-650 words. Fiction stories are 850-900 words. Idea articles are 200-300 words.
What is a red light indicator that someone is not a professional writer?
Format can be an immediate give-away. Not meeting the objective of the publication is another.
Do you have themes and sample copies available?
Sample issues are $3. We do not use themes.
What is the best way to break into your publication?
A good place to start is to submit short articles to our Community section or ideas for “Basic 6” cards.
Do you have any advice for beginning and intermediate writers?
Beginning writers: take a writing course to determine if writing is a gift you should develop.
Intermediate writers: read extensively and attend a writers’ conference at least every three years.
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