“I want my son to start the day on a positive note.”
“I want my daughter to feel secure in her faith when her classmates are celebrating holidays we don’t celebrate.”
“I want my children to remember God is there for them, even at school.”
It’s that time of the year when families are getting ready for the upcoming school year. Backpack? Check. Crayons? Check. Water bottle? Check. Tools for healthy faith? Wait—*record scratch*—what?
But before school even starts, what can families do to get some conversations going?
INC Kids Playlist
This INC Kids playlist on Youtube covers topics ranging from dealing with big feelings to the reason why we do not celebrate certain holidays. Prevent an angry outburst before it happens. Explain why we don’t celebrate Easter well before the holiday, so our children have had time to rehearse the language they will use to explain it to their teachers and friends. Our faith is an ongoing conversation as our children grow.
Positive words to start the day
For about seven hours, every weekday, we hand our children over to the world. In these seven hours, we can’t predict what they’ll hear, see, or experience. What we can do as Christian parents is prepare them for what they might encounter. It doesn’t have to be complicated or take too much time. They can start each day saying these words of affirmation to themselves as part of their morning routine:
For children, a calm morning routine focused on positivity and calm can affect their whole day!
Free downloadable resources
Are there downloadable resources on incmedia.org for school-age children? Yes!
- Need a letter explaining why your child can’t participate in the Halloween party?
- A letter you can give to your child’s teacher outlining the holidays we do not celebrate. Letter for teachers about holidays
- Want a fun screen-free activity?
- INC Kids has downloadables that’s got you covered!
- Ready to equip your child with reminders to take with them wherever they go?
- Print out these positive affirmation notes to tape into folders or put in lunchboxes
- I am hardworking!
- God is my friend
- If I take a deep breath, I’ll feel calmer
- Mom and Dad are proud of me
- I am a good friend
- I am ready with a positive attitude today
- I can make good choices
- I know right from wrong
- Praying makes me feel peaceful
Get involved in your local congregation
Want to create a positive and supportive community for your student? Here are some ideas:
- Start a mentoring/tutoring program for high school students to help elementary and middle school students with homework
- Got a teacher in your local congregation? Ask them to lead a reading club once a week or once a month in person or via videoconferencing
- Hold a Teacher’s Appreciation Day and invite teachers from the community or hold a school supply drive
Last, but certainly not least, a successful school year is made possible with God’s help. Parenting in today’s world is not easy, and very different from when we were young. In the rush to get things ready either the night before or the morning of, let’s teach our children to slow down and remember that approaching God in prayer is something they can do any time of the day. Setting a devotional prayer as a family gives our children’s faith a chance for constant growth and a solid relationship with God.
Have a happy school year!
Your friends at Faith and Family
