Key Steps To Great First Day Of School

By Author: Mark Arens
Total Articles: 27
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The first day of school can be stressful for families. However, approaching it as the start of a new adventure can greatly improve the experience. Regardless of age, the start of school represents a transition from a known and comfortable environment into something unknown. Whether moving from toddler life or just summer vacation, the first day of school changes the routine. Presenting the first day of school as the beginning of something fun can really help.

Recognizing the importance of kindergarten success in establishing a positive outlook on the school years to follow, we began surrounding our youngest child with words of encouragement. She has always been a bundle of energy so we began to focus on the adventure she would begin on the first day of school. We talked about how much fun she had at preschool and reminded her she was anxious before starting there as well. Despite her nervousness, she made lots of friends, loved her teacher and had a great time.

We discussed how much fun she had at Sunday school, swimming lessons and with dance class even though she had been nervous before they began. ...
... We also reminded her of how well she had done and of all the people she got to know in those venues. Our daughter started to relax and bounced off happy to select the right outfit for her new first day of school exploit.

In praying about how to help our children navigate the first day of school, it occurred to me there were stories in the Bible that paralleled these issues. Perhaps God had the Israelites erect monuments on their journeys with Him to serve as reminders of past success and encouragement for future ventures, not unlike the conversation with our children. When Joshua led the Israelites across the Jordan, he had them take rocks from the riverbed and carry them into the Promised Land, piling them on the riverbank. The monument represented how God helped them to move into the new land and served as a reminder for future obstacles that they had persevered and obtained victory in the past.

We need to do the same thing with our children. Remind your children that God made them wonderfully special, they are more than conquerors, and they are equipped to head into the next adventure trusting in the Lord. The first day of school may seem like a normal thing to an adult, yet it represents a mysterious new land to many kids. Reminding them of past successes can ease a lot of worry.

The next step entailed painting the new adventure in a positive light. For our youngest, that meant discussing some of the new things she would get to do in Kindergarten. For example, we talked about how she would learn to read and write as well as do 'big kid' things like having recess. She started to see an opportunity to learn and do new things with other kids as a grand adventure. By giving her glimpses of what she had to look forward to, the conversations laid the groundwork for kindergarten success.

The final piece in embracing the first day of school as a new adventure rested with trusting God to meet them in the new place. We reminded our children of the names of God is Jehovah Jireh, the Lord will provide, which means that God will provide what they need for their new adventures. They are not alone. God will be with them and will guide them. All they need to do is look for Him. While our children head off on their quests, whether in school or in life, we as parents will stand on God's promises and cheer them on!
Mark Arens, the man with a heart for kids, a hand for parents and a "thumbs up" for families, has great resources to help your child's first day of school happen smoothly. Thumbpeople, Inc. Come check us out: http://www.first-day-of-school.com