Necessary Surrounding and back-ground in a Dharma class

 To create the necessary surrounding and back-ground in a Dharma class:

(a) Time—To children under 14, half an hour is the time limit. Children become restless when compelled to sit more than half an hour. The best time to teach Buddhism is in the morning, the earlier the better. The worst time is in the evening about 5 to 6 p.m. when, tired with a day's activities, children become refractory to any teaching imparted to them. 

(b) Peace and calmness—Do not allow children to indulge in strong physical activities before the Dharma class. This renders them listless and refractory to the imparting of the Dharma. Always choose a calm and peaceful place, if possible.

(c) Disposition and arrangement—Place child-ren in a circle, so that the Dharma teacher can see all of them and notice any reaction when he imparts the Dharma to them. Do not place them in rows in the fashion of a class ; this will create the illusion of a second school contrary to the spirit of a Dharma class.

(d) Separate classes for older girls and boys—If Dharma teachers are not lacking, it is better to conduct the Dharma class for girls and for boys separately. With the same Dharma lesson, the way to teach it to boys and girls is quite different. For instance, when you tell a Jataka story to the girls, you have to choose one which dwells upon the virtue of compassion and loving kindness, while to the boys, the Jataka story which relates the heroic deeds of the Bodhisattva suits best. Girls are prone to faith, admire what is graceful and peaceful; boys rather prefer what is witty, grand and noble, so that, separate Dharma classes for girls and boys are likely to yield better results. 

Source: Buddhist Sunday School lessons by The Venerable Sumangala