For many parents, second grade is the beginning of the “golden years” of childhood. Your child’s brain is changing in some amazing ways, and they are beginning to notice differences that make them unique to their peers. Your second grader is impressionable, enthusiastic, and eager to respond to you. If you find yourself enjoying this phase of parenting a lot, you are not alone!

Every child is different, but here are some general principles we think will help you parent your second grader this year.

One question we believe almost every second grader is asking is, "What does it take?" Your second grader is becoming increasingly self-aware…aware of their thoughts, their abilities, and their mistakes. They are also growing in their awareness of others—they're beginning to notice the qualities that make one kid “artistic” and another “athletic.” More important, their ‘awareness of fairness’ kicks into high gear. Your second grader may call you out for perceived offenses of unfairness. They may also be quick to announce the shortcomings and mistakes of other kids, teachers, and random strangers.

This is the phase where kids generally begin to embrace the concept of their own sin and their need for forgiveness. When second graders come to CCKids, we want to present to them a God who loves them so much, He provides a way to cover (forgive) their shortcomings, offenses, and mistakes!

Your second grader may be starting to enjoy reading on their own. If they don’t have a full-text Bible in an easy-to-read translation (like NIrV), this is the time to invest in one.

Each week CCKids has a Bible story with a passage for the kids to look up. They can read along as the story unfolds, and there are rewards for bringing their Bible. In addition, The Action Bible is an animated version that many second graders will enjoy reading alone.