Slideshow image

6 Ways to Prepare Your Kids to Go Back to School

As the ole saying goes, "Last, but certainly not least." I would like to conclude this week's series (Tips for Learning Success) by educating and empowering parents and guardians with an article from Core Christianity entitled, "6 Ways to Prepare Your Kids to Go Back to School"

These 6 principles applies to all children. If your child is in preschool or in college, you can teach these core principles in one way or another daily. I am confident that you have taught these principles over the years. If not, it's never too late to start. 

Here's 6 things each parent/guardian can exercise with your child and/or children: 

  1. Give Them the Core Truths of the Christian Faith - The best way to spot a counterfeit is to know the real thing. There are two parts to teaching our children the foundations of our faith. The first is what, and the second is why, which will prepare your child or children to "... make a defense to anyone who asks" them for the reason for their hope. (I Peter 3:15)
  2. Welcome Questions - Parents and guardians know the whys never end. "Why?" might be the most infuriating question, it's also the most important.  Teaching your kids the why of our faith is another essential piece of teaching them core truths that will sustain them, and equipping them for the questions they'll face.
  3. Cultivate Humility - Remind your child or children how important it is to be learners. To be humble is to admit that you don't know everything, that you need help, that you have much to learn and many ways to grow. 
  4. Teach them about the Covenant of Grace - Every human being is born into the covenant of works. Living under the covenant of God's grace is a learning process and experience. 
  5. Instill Courage - Biblical courage is not the absence of fear. Rather, it's fearing the right thing. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction" Proverbs 1:7 
  6. Preach the Family Gospel - At the core of being human is the deep desire to belong. Make sure your child know that he or she belong here. The home should always be a place of belonging for every child.  

As parents/guardians, we have a unique opportunity to demonstrate how the welcome we've received in Christ compels us to welcome others. For our children and our neighbors and all who long for a place at the table, we pull up a chair and say, "You belong here."