Parent Survey

Parent Survey

Children's Inclusion in Worship
Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey about your experience bringing children to worship at our congregation. Your honest feedback will help us better understand how we can create a more inclusive worship environment for families.
Basic Information
Which United Methodist Church do you belong to? *
How many children do you regularly bring to worship?*
What are their ages *
How frequently do you attend worship services with your children?*

Weekly2-3 times per monthOnce per monthSeveral times per yearRarely
The Worship Experience

Arrival and Welcome
When you arrive at church with your children, how welcomed do you feel?*

Very welcomed - people specifically greet my childrenWelcomed- people are generally friendlySomewhat welcomed- people are polite but seem uncertain about childrenNot very welcomed- I sense tension when we arrive with childrenUnwelcomed- we receive negative reactions
Please describe your typical experience when entering the worship space with your children:
During Worship
How would you rate the overall experience of bringing your children to worship?*

Very positive- both my children and I can engage meaningfullyPositive- generally goes well with some challengesNeutral- neight particulary posivite nor negativeChallenging- more stressful than meaningfulVery difficuly- often feels like a struggle throughout

How much of your attention during worship is focused on: *

Rows	Most of the time	Often	Sometimes	Rarely	Almost never
Participating in worship yourself
Managing your children's behavior
Helping children engage with worship
Entertaining children to keep them quiet

When your child makes noise or moves around during worship, how do you typically feel? (Select all that apply).*

Anxious about disturbing othersEmbarrassedFrustrated with my childFrustrated with the worship environmentConfident that others understandSupport by the congregationOther
If answered other:
How do you perceive others' reactions when your children make noise or move around?.*

Very understanding and supportiveGenerally understandingMixed reactionsSomewhat disapprovingVery disapprovingOther
If answered other:
Inclusivity and Engagement
How often do you feel the worship service includes elements that engage your children?*

Throughout most of the serviceDuring several parts of the serviceOnly during specific "children moments"RarelyNever
Which elements of worship do your children seem most engaged with? (Select all that apply)*

Music/singingPrayerScripture ReadingSermon/messageCommunion/sacramentsVisual elements(banners, decorations, etc)Movement opportunitiesInteractive elementsChildren's moment/messageOther
If answered other:
How often do your children participate actively (beyond just attendance) in worship?)*

Frequently- they regularly participate in multiple waysSometimes- they occasionally participateRarely- participation is limited to special occasionsNever- they attend but don't actively participate
Challenges and Support
What are the biggest challenges you face when bringing your children to worship? (Select all that apply)*

Service lengthLack of child-friendly languageLimited movement opportunitiesDifficulty seeing/hearingLack of engagement opportunitiesManaging behavior expectationsWorry about disturbing othersPhysical space limitationsLack of resources for childrenNegative reactions from others
If answered other:
What resources or support would most improve your family's worship experience? (Select all that apply)*

Child-sized seating optionsChildren's worship materials/activity bagsMore participatory elements througout bagsMore movement opportunitiesClearer communication about expectations for childrenMore child- friendly language in worshipDesignated quiet space within worship areaMore frequent opportunities for children to lead/participate
If answered other:
Overall Assessment
How would you describe your congregation's attitude toward children in worship?*

Children are fully valued worship participantsChidlren are welcomed but expected to behave like adultsChildren are tolerated but not truly incorporatedChildren's presence seems to create tensionOther
If answered other:
To what extent do you feel your children are growing spiritually through participation in worship*

Significantly - worship is clearly formative for themSomewhat - they gain some spiritual benefitMinimally - they gain little spiritual benefitNot at all - worship does not contribute to their spiritual formationUnsure
How well does the worship service meet the developmental needs of your children?*

Very well - completely appropriate for their developmental stageWell - generally appropriate with some gapsSomewhat - meets some needs but misses othersPoorly - rarely considers children's developmental needsVery poorly - seems designed exclusively for adults
What does your congregation do especially well regarding children in worship?*
What specific changes would most improve your family's worship experience?*
Is there anything else you'd like to share about your experience bringing children to worship?*
Should be Empty:

Basic Information

The Worship Experience

Inclusivity and Engagement

Challenges and Support

Overall Assessment