Sample Church Page: Family Experiences

Kindergarten

Children in kindergarten are fairly self-sufficient. They are beginning the phase of independence. whether your child is at half-day or all-day kindergarten or is home-schooled, they are going to be spending some amount of time away from you for the first time. This can be both scary and exciting for parents. But rest assured–your child is ready for this change.

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1st Grade

1st graders are stepping into their “Big Kid” years. There can be insecurity for children during this transition. This year kids are spending a good deal of their time away from you, which can be a little scary for everyone involved. However, they are developmentally ready for this shift toward independence.

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2nd Grade

The biggest developmental jump in the life of a 2nd grader is in the area of social development. Kids are beginning to develop significant friendships and recognize the needs and feelings of others. Another big milestone is in the area of reading. This year children will read more independently than they have in any of the previous years.

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3rd Grade

This is the year that children begin to see clear differences between themselves and others, which can lead children to suppress their individuality. We need to help children see that they are uniquely made. This is the year that children’s interests in multiple areas can peak, leading to increased chaos in scheduling.

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4th Grade

The biggest change in development for 4th graders is the change in friendships. All of a sudden, they care what others think of them and want to fit in. Your child probably has at least one very close friend this year that they enjoy spending time with.

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5h Grade

Fifth graders still want your encouragement, but they will rarely ask for it. This is the year that teasing and gossiping take center stage, and with your child’s desire to “fit in,” it can lead to a compromise of values. These big shifts make it even more important for you to help your child see how they are designed differently, on purpose.