Our daughter Ellie was nervous as the first day of kindergarten approached.  Unsure of how to ease her mind, my husband and I started praying for new strategies to help her with her first day of school.

Ellie was worried about going to a new school, making friends, and the entire education experience.  We began to remind her of how she had succeeded in the past and encourage her that she would have much kindergarten success.   She had been nervous prior to starting ballet and swimming yet now she loved it.  The first day of school would be similar.

While praying over Ellie, 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 daughter.  After wandering in the desert for 40 years and preparing to enter the Promised Land, many of the Israelites were worried, especially after the death of Moses.  Joshua led the Israelites across the Jordan and followed God’s instructions to take rocks from the riverbed and carry them into the Promised Land, piling them on the riverbank.

The monument represented how God helped the Israelites move into the new land and served as a reminder for the future obstacles that they would face that they had persevered and obtained victory in the past so they could expect to succeed in the future.  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 first day of school does not need to be an anxious time.  Remember how God set up reminders for the Israelites, surround your children with past success stories, and encourage them that they are equipped for the new adventure ahead.

Thumbuddy children’s books prepare your child for their first day of school by instilling self worth and confidence.

The positive and encouraging words within Thumbuddy children’s books, motivating kid’s books, creative preschool activities and curriculum and soaking music resonating with the hopeful and assuring words of Scripture help your child to recognize that they have great worth and value to you and to the One who created them.

These simple truths position your child for their first day of kindergarten, kindergarten success and every first day of school to follow!