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So your kid is in first grade now!

One year of school is now under your belt! It’s the second year, but your kid (and you?) is still adjusting to more early morning alarm clocks, less playtime, and even higher demands for their focused attention. Can you handle it? ABSOLUTELY! You have a church family in your corner, CCKids is here for you, and so is Jesus!

Every kid is unique, but here are some general principles we think will help you as you parent your first grader this year.

One question we believe almost every first grader is asking is, "What does it take?" Your kid is beginning to grow in their confidence. After all, they’ve been in school for over a year…practically forever, right?!? Their opinions and observations are beginning to develop. They might even begin sensing a tension between what they know is morally right, and their own shortcomings. They are certainly beginning to see those shortcomings in others around them!

When first graders come into CCKids, we want to begin introducing them to a God who is always good and who loves them—no matter their shortcomings! As they bring their failures to Jesus, He is able to forgive them and make them a part of His thriving family! That’s what it takes!

This year your child will discover that in addition to the support you provide, they will experience love and support from new friends, small group leaders, and other CCKids volunteers. As your child learns more about God’s character in CCKids, they will discover that God is ALWAYS there, and loves them unconditionally.

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Your role in your child's life is to affirm their observations and engage their interests.

Your first grader is picking up the pace! Their schedule may include bus/carpool rides, recreational sports, and after-school activities. With increasing opportunities to try new things, your first grader will also have more opportunities to observe how others respond in various situations—both bad and good. Take these opportunities to affirm their observations and coach their conclusions. The way you engage with their questions, listen to their stories, and validate their opinions will affirm what your first grader still needs: your attention!

So that you can best engage with your first grader, here are three things to consider:

  • Your child thinks like a scientist: Giving them concrete examples will help them learn.
  • Your child longs for attention: You speak to their heart when you acknowledge their uniqueness and help them improve their abilities.
  • Your child is driven by fun: You can influence their growth and learning when you play on their level.

Ways Your Child is Changing.

PHYSICALLY

  • Needs 10-12 hours of sleep per night.
  • Can draw with considerable detail.
  • Established more dexterity (swimming, skipping, etc.)

SOCIALLY

  • Wants to win and is very competitive.
  • Can be bossy & critical.
  • Begins to form meaningful friendships.

MENTALLY

  • Begins to read and write simple sentences.
  • Begins to understand humor.
  • Begins to understand cause and effect.

EMOTIONALLY

  • Benefits from taking a break when frustrated (time out, deep breaths, etc.)
  • Expresses feelings better through art and play rather than words.
  • Very sensitive towards harsh words and body language.

The Three Most Important Things to Remember.

1.

You are by far the biggest influence in your child’s life. Your words and actions always matter.

2.

Talk about your every-day faith every day. Studies show this is THE MOST effective way to pass your faith on to your kids. Be vulnerable and authentic about your daily experience of God.

3.

Don’t be their bridge to God, light their path. No matter their age, they are ready to connect with God! You don’t need to connect to God for them, they need you to show them how they can themselves.

If you would like help or ideas on how to do any of these things, we are always here to help!

Resources We Recommend.

Books.

If you’re unable to afford any of these resources, please let us know—we’d love to help!

Teach Your Children Well
This book gives a brilliant, effective and yet simple perspective on how we can help our kids form a deep relationship with Jesus. This is for all of us imperfect parents with limited time and capacity.
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Parenting Your First Grader
This has a lot of blank pages for processing questions which isn’t for everyone, but the other pages are full of very insightful information and practical advice or ideas that can help clarify how to engage with your kid.
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Big Truths for Young Hearts
Well-written book that introduces theology to kids. Parents can jump around the chapters and read relevant truths about God, human nature, salvation, and the Church as their kids inquire. Older kids may enjoy reading it on their own. This is big stuff!
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Roar Like a Lion
90 Devotions to encourage a growing faith in your child. Parents can read this at bedtime, or older kids will enjoy branching out and reading it regularly on their own. Really colorful and fun!
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Marvel at the Moon
Ninety more devotions that focus on God’s majestic universe, and the fact that He created each of us on purpose and for a purpose! Full of cool space facts, Bible verses, and age-appropriate action steps. Great for inquisitive kids who are science-minded and parents as well!
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The Four Habits of Raising Joy-Filled Kids
A parenting book that introduces a simple model and applies key principles for raising the ‘joy-level’ in our kids. These parenting principles are derived from the way our brains are hardwired. It’s a short book, and worth the read!
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The Jesus Storybook Bible
A beautifully illustrated Bible containing easy to understand stories from the New and Old Testament that point to Jesus as our Savior.
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Indescribable: 100 Devotions about God and Science
This devotion will help your child discover the wonders of the universe with the Creator. This devotion will help your child to see how truly amazing and indescribable our God is!
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The NIrV Adventure Bible
This is the Bible translation we encourage our CCKids to use. It's easier to understand, but is also a direct translation of an ‘adult version’ Bible. Kids can look up verses and begin to navigate through the pages of God’s Word.
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Podcasts/Websites.

Parent Cue Blog
This website is crammed with tons of articles on many subjects with practical helpful advice.
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Hi, I'm Janna Clark!

I’m the CCKids Director at Christ Community Church. I have been working in Children’s ministry for 25 years, and each year has brought me such joy as God has given me a passion for kids and helping them to experience who Jesus is and how much He desires them. If you ever have any questions—let's connect. I am happy to help in any way I can (preferably over an iced chai)!

CCKids is for kindergarten through fourth grade and meets during every weekend adult service time.  In addition, CCKids Club meets most Wednesday nights during the school year from 6-8 pm.

Email Janna