What was the worst classroom experience you’ve had as a leader?

I’ll never forget mine. I was 21 years old and assigned to observe a 2s classroom for a child guidance class. Instead, the under-staffed preschool handed me 15 two-year-olds and disappeared. At one point, a little boy darted for the door, opened the kiddie lock, and made a break for it down the hallway. In a split second, I was forced to choose—run after him and abandon the other children, or stay and hope someone else intervened. I screamed for help, and by God’s grace, someone heard and caught him.

I went home shaken and discouraged. What just happened? What went so terribly wrong?

As I’ve reflected on that moment over the years—and grown in experience and understanding—I’ve come to realize that what I encountered wasn’t just a staffing issue. It was a snapshot of what often causes chaos in any preschool classroom: unmet needs. And behind those needs, there are often deeper heart issues that kids don’t know how to express.

Let’s call them the ABCs of Misbehavior: Attention, Boredom, and Confusion.

A – Attention

Every child longs to be seen. They want to know that they matter. Sometimes, when they can’t get our eyes or our praise in positive ways, they’ll take what they can get—even if it’s through whining, hitting, or defiance. It’s not because they’re “bad.” It’s because they’re human. Just like us, they crave connection. The good news of the gospel reminds us that we are fully seen and fully loved in Christ—and that same truth should guide how we see and love the little ones in our care. Even their most frustrating moments are an invitation to show them: you are not alone; you matter to me—and to God.

B – Boredom

If you don’t engage kids, they’ll engage themselves—and usually not in ways you’d prefer. When classrooms lack rhythm, purpose, or meaningful play, preschoolers will invent their own entertainment. That’s not rebellion; it’s initiative in the absence of vision. A gospel-centered ministry doesn’t just babysit kids—it invites them into wonder. Jesus welcomed children not as a distraction from ministry but as the very heart of it. Let’s prepare environments that reflect that same joy and intentionality.

C – Confusion

When expectations are unclear, kids feel unsafe. Think of it like being dropped in a dark room—every time you try to understand your surroundings, everything shifts. Eventually, you give up trying and just react. That’s how many kids feel in classrooms with inconsistent rules or unclear routines. They’re not trying to be difficult—they’re trying to survive. But Jesus is a God of order, not chaos. When we give children clear boundaries and a consistent rhythm, we reflect His love by providing security and peace.

In your worst moments as a leader, take heart. You are not alone. God is using even the most chaotic classrooms to shape your heart—and to show little hearts His grace. Preschool ministry isn’t just crowd control. It’s kingdom work. And Jesus loves preschoolers—even (and especially) the ones sprinting down the hallway.

Josh Zello has been married to his best friend, Hannah, for seven years, and they have a four-year-old little girl named Avery. Because of Josh’s passion for early childhood ministry, he has dedicated over fifteen years to serving in preschool ministry, lending his efforts to churches ranging in size from 17,000 attendees to as few as 250. His passion lies in crafting gospel-centered, developmentally appropriate, and thriving preschool ministries. You can find him at JesusLovesPreschoolers.com.