Tag Archives: encouraging words
If only you could go with your child to school and protect them from
bullies, cruel remarks and the
rejections and disappointments that we’ve all experienced. But in a way, you can …
You can be with and support your child in school through the
positive, encouraing words you speak to them. Those assuring and guiding words will resonate within their hearts and minds not only during their school days, but throughout their lifetime.
Thumbuddy Goes To School, like all of the books in the Thumbuddy children’s books series, uses reassuring and fortifying words to build a strong foundation of self worth within your child. Strong self worth helps kids to make good life choices, deal positively with peer pressure and approach life’s challenges with a positive outlook and
confidence.
The nurturing words within Thumbuddy children’s books strengthen the parent-child bond, so that even when they hop on the school bus and wave goodbye through the window, they’re secure and assured of your love.
Why Prepare Your Child for the First Day of School?
Why prepare your child for the first day of school? My story may help you understand the importance of preparing your child for a positive experience.
My mother prepared me well for my first day of school. Before the first day of kindergarten, she told me my teacher’s name and she explained that I was not going to the same school as I had the year before. My older brothers and sisters had the same teacher so I knew what to expect. She explained in detail what I could expect my first day of school. We talked about these first day of school details over and over again, until I practically felt like I had already had my first day of school! When the day came to hop on the bus and go, most of my anxiety and concerns had evaporated.
When you’re preparing your child for the first day of school, take a cue from my story. Explain to you child where he’ll be going and what to expect. If you know who your child’s teacher will be, tell him that too. If there’s an open house and he can meet the teacher and walk around the classroom, bring him.
The school environment demands different rules and time lines from the home environment. Children need time to acclimate, but helping them visualize what’s to come may assuage many fears.
Positive affirmations can help children overcome their worries. What worries your child? If you don’t know, now’s the time to listen. Note that I didn’t say talk to him – listen! Your child reveals his fears and doubts in subtle ways. He might tell you a story in a typical childlike way, yet underneath the twists and turns of the story lies the real worry or fear. Listen and ask.
Remember that positive affirmations take time. They’re like seeds. You don’t plant seeds today and expect a vine ripened tomato tomorrow. Seeds need water, sun and warmth to germinate. Once they sprout, they need nurturing and plenty of water to grow to their fullest potential. It can take many weeks of patient care before that tomato seed yields juicy red, ripe fruit.
So too do positive affirmations for kindergarten success take time to root and grow in a child. Plant them early, water often with love, praise and encouragement, and by the first day of school, your child will be ready!
Thumbuddy children’s books provide a fun and nurturing way to prepare your child for their first day of school. The positive and encouraging words within Thumbuddy books and music build up your child’s self worth, confidence and encourage them to make good choices while creating sweet moments for you and your child to share together.
Recognizing the powerful effect that words have on individuals, ThumbPeople provides positive children’s books, motivating kid’s music, preschool curriculum and soaking music that empower kids and adults and strengthens the parent-child bond.
THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL DOESN’T HAVE TO BE UNSETTLING FOR YOUR CHILD
Do you remember what it was like to venture out on your own for your first day of kindergarten? Were the other kids nice to you, or did you feel left out? Was your teacher all you’d hoped for, or were you disappointed? Did you miss your mom?
New experiences can be unsettling, even for adults. I’ll admit I’m uncomfortable in situations where I don’t know anyone or where I’m expected to make conversation with strangers. But I’ve learned over the years that unless I step out into those unnerving situations, my confidence doesn’t grow and mature.
As parents, we can provide our children with the tools they need to make life’s transitions a little bit easier, transitions like the one from being at home with mom and dad to the first day of school. Strength and confidence can indeed be taught, but it takes a conscious effort on your part to make it happen.
Of course you’ve done all the necessary shopping for those first day of school clothes and you’ve scoured the supply list many times, just to be sure you haven’t missed anything. And you’ve visited your child’s school during the Kindergarten Round-up so he knows where the bathrooms are and can recognize his teacher on the first day of school. But if you truly want your child to have kindergarten success, you must ensure he has the power of God behind him all the way.
One of the most powerful verses in all of Scripture is from Romans 8:39: “Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Regardless of how small or insignificant we may feel, we know that God loves each of us all the time, in all circumstances.
It’s perfectly normal for our children to be nervous about the first day of school, but reassuring them that God is there with them all the way can minimize those fears and build the confidence they need to step out and enjoy all the wonderful new experiences in store for them.
Confident children are happy children – and confidence comes from the tone you’ve set in your home and the love of God in their hearts.
ThumbPeople helps kids (and adults) to celebrate all the new experiences of life with confidence and joy
Prepare your child for kindergarten success and a great first day of school with Thumbuddy children’s books, positive kid’s music, preschool curriculum and Scripture-inspired soaking music. The encouraging and hopeful words within ThumbPeople’s books and music will create a positive environment that will build your child’s self worth – and yours too!
THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL DOESN’T HAVE TO BE SCARY
I wasn’t a very confident child. I was scrawny, asthmatic and shy. New experiences were tough for me – experiences like going to summer camp all alone or the first day of school.
So as a parent, I was determined that my boys would be confident and comfortable in new situations like the first day of school. From a very early age, we encouraged them to try new things. Anything that interested them was fair game – a class on paleontology at the Science Museum, an exploration of American Indian art, even learning the safe way to shoot a bow and arrow. Many of those interests never expanded beyond that first experience, but the value of trying something new was immeasurable.
Is your child reluctant to try new things? Is he or she dreading the first day of kindergarten? Are you worried about kindergarten success for your child? Then now is the time to remind them of the power of new experiences. Recall a time in your life when you were nervous about starting something new – a new job, a first date, the first day of college – and tell the story of how you got through it.
Share with your children how you relied on God’s strength to lift you up. Tell them about the power of prayer in your life and how God always listens when we talk to Him. Let them know they are special to God because He created them in His image, and He loves them no matter whether they are confident or scared, excited or nervous.
From Jeremiah 33:3: “This is God’s Message, the God who made earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God: ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.’” (The Message) This powerful reassurance is the best gift you can give your children as you send them on their way to that magical first day of school. And don’t forget when you tuck them into bed to share a prayer of thanks to the God who watched over them on that first day of school.
Thumbuddy helps kids prepare for their first day of school and new life experiences by affirming and encouraging them with positive and strengthening words.
Through the Thumbuddy children’s book series, motivating kid’s music, preschooler curriculum activities and soaking music inspired by the assuring promises that God is always with us, ThumbPeople helps kids adults conquer fears and embrace all the blessings to be had on the first day of school and all through life!
MAKING THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE FOR YOUR CHILD
I’ve been trying to reorganize my family photos all summer. My three boys were little before the days of digital cameras, so I don’t have the luxury of simply storing all those pictures on a flash drive and tucking the drive into a desk drawer. This project actually requires sorting the photos by hand! Not my favorite project.
Of course, the enjoyable part of this job is taking time to recall all those wonderful days when my boys were young. It’s so hard to believe my youngest is now a junior in college – not so little anymore.
For each of my boys, I have a series of pictures from the first day of school. As we prepared the night before – filling the backpack with supplies, making sure they had lunch money, laying out the clothes they wanted to wear – I always made sure to put the camera in a prominent place so I wouldn’t forget to snap a picture as they headed out the door in the morning. As I look back at that series of photos now, I catch a glimpse of trepidation as Jeff, Brian or Chris are about to leave Mom behind and get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten, but I also see excitement and confidence about what lies ahead.
I was never one of those teary-eyed parents who moped around all day once my boys headed off to their first day of school. Did I miss having them around? Of course. But I always had a strong sense that stepping away from Mom was truly an essential step in growth and happiness for them, so I didn’t have trouble letting go on that first day of school. I knew my husband and I had done our very best to ensure kindergarten success by providing a safe and secure Christian home, filled with unconditional love and support.
At the end of that momentous first day of school each year, we celebrated with a special family meal. It usually consisted of the boys’ favorites – Dad’s famous spaghetti, pizza or cheeseburgers. And over the years we learned not to press for too many details about their first day of school. If we listened and waited, inevitably the highs and lows of their day would spill out and I’d say a prayer of thanks for the way God had sent His little ones safely on their way once again.
Thumbuddy Goes To School will prepare your child well for their first day of school. Not only will Thumbuddy encourage them to make good choices, have good manners and be kind and thoughtful, but the encouraging words and loving message will build up your child’s self worth and position them for kindergarten success.
ThumbPeople’s children’s books, positive kid’s music, preschool curriculum activities and soaking music surround families with uplifting and encouraging words that help kids and adults to see themselves as the wonderful miracles God created them to be!
EASE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FEARS BY REMINDING YOUR CHILD OF PAST SUCCESSES
Recognizing the first day of school can be stressful for families, surround your kids with words of encouragement. Regardless of age, the first day of school represents a transition from a known and comfortable environment into something unknown. Reminding your children of past successes can help alleviate their first day of school anxiety.
As I prepared Ellie, our youngest, for her first day of kindergarten, she wiggled and fidgeted. Ellie was nervous about her first day of school, making friends and the entire education experience.
My husband and I started to pray and ask God for guidance on how to support her in her first day of school fears. Recognizing the importance of kindergarten success in establishing a positive outlook on school, we began surrounding Ellie 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 kindergarten. We talked about how much fun she had at preschool and reminded her she was anxious before starting her first day of school 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. Ellie started to relax and bounced off happy to select the right first day of school outfit for her new venture and the kindergarten success that awaited her.
The first day of school can present some interesting challenges in preparing children for entering a whole new realm of experience. Parents can do a lot to ease the first day of school transition, though, by reminding the child of their past successes and surrounding them with positive messages. Encouraging the child to soar into new ventures will help them succeed at every new endeavor.
Even though you can’t go to school with your child, the encouraging and supportive words you’ve spoken to them will be there with them to bless them on every first day of school and throughout their lifetime.
Thumbuddy children’s books, kid’s music, preschool curriculum activities and soaking music that reminds kids and adults of God’s constant love and presence blesses families and helps them to live abundant lives – confident of God’s good plan for them.
3 KEY STEPS TO A GREAT FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
The first day of school can be stressful for children. However, approaching it from a Biblical perspective can greatly improve the experience. Our youngest child, Ellie was nervous about her first day of kindergarten. After praying, we tried to follow some of the principles God used with the Israelites and found they greatly helped with the first day of school transition.
1. The first key is to remind the child of past successes. Recognizing the importance of kindergarten success in establishing a positive outlook on school, we began surrounding Ellie with words of encouragement. We talked about how much fun she had at preschool and reminded her she was anxious before her first day of school there as well. Despite her nervousness, she made lots of friends, loved her teacher and had a great time. God did the same thing by having the Israelites erect memorials after every great victory and accomplishment such as crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land.
2. The next step entails painting the new first day of school adventure in a positive light. For Ellie, 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, it created an air of expectancy that chased away residual concerns. God did something similar by having Moses recite all of the promises the Israelites could expect in the Promised Land.
3. The final piece in embracing the first day of school as a new adventure rests with trusting God to meet the child in the new place. We reminded Ellie one of the names of God is Jehovah Jireh, the Lord will provide, which means God will provide what she needs for her new journey. She is not alone. God will be with her and will guide her. All she needs to do is look for Him. After crossing the Jordan, the Israelites celebrated Passover, the feast that started their adventure to the Promised Land 40 years earlier.
While Ellie excitedly (now) heads off on her first day of school, her Dad and I will stand on God’s promises and cheer her on!
Help children to embrace God’s hopeful and loving promises for them by encouraging them to see themselves as having great worth and value – a precious miracle to you and to their Creator.
Thumbuddy books and music do just that. They instill self worth and value and nurture trust and a strong bond between you and your child. The simple truths within Thumbuddy children’s books, uplifting kid’s music, creative preschool activities and curriculum and soaking music reflective of God’s loving and faithful promises, helps kids to embrace their first day of kindergarten, kindergarten success and every first day of school to come with hope and confidence.
EMPLOY BIBLICAL MODELS FOR DEALING WITH FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FEARS
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!
A Simple First Day of School Prayer Eases Fears
Kids aren’t the only ones who have first day of school jitters. I am sure every parent reading this has been filled with crazy emotions as their children boarded the bus or got dropped off for the first day of kindergarten.
When my first set of twins started school, I was excited for them and sad for me, but I had two little ones at home and I knew Will and Abby were doing exactly what they were supposed to be doing. Sending my second set of twins off to their first day of school brought completely different emotions. Ryan and Hailey had watched Will and Abby go to school for two years and were more than ready for kindergarten success. There were no tears, no fears and no hesitation. They just boarded the bus, waved good-bye and went off to their first day of kindergarten.
Because my husband and I had spent so much time preparing our kids for kindergarten and that first day of school, we knew they were going to love it and were going to experience great success.
There are lots of tricks and rituals you can do with your children, but ultimately it is communication that is the key to kindergarten success. We discuss the first day of school for several weeks prior. We help them understand what the day might look like and what to expect. We listen to things they are excited about and talk through whatever fears they may have. And then we pray.
The Bible tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything. But in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6). When we give our fears to the Lord we find a peace and calmness that comes from knowing He is in charge.
God wants the very best for us. He wants us to succeed and be joyful in everything we do. Help your children learn to give their fears to God through prayer. Help them feel that calm and joy that comes from trusting in Jesus. And then watch as your children find peace and success that only comes from walking with the Lord.
Prepare your child well for the first day of kindergarten, every first day of school that will follow and for a lifetime of new experiences by covering them with prayer and encouraging them with positive and encouraging words.
Thumbuddy children’s books, motivating kid’s music, preschool curriculum and soaking music inspired by the hopeful and assuring promises of Scripture, strengthens the bond and trust between you and your child while instilling confidence and self worth.
Planning Helps Children Experience First Day of School Success
Two of my favorite pictures were taken the morning of my kid’s first day of kindergarten. There is something so wonderful about the first day of school that just needs to be captured on film.
I have been blessed with two sets of twins that are only two years apart in school so we get a double dose of emotions as the kids board that bus for their first day of school.
Will, my oldest boy, is rarely nervous and tackles everything with a smile and determination. He hardly said good-bye on his first day of school as he climbed the steps of the big, yellow bus he was thrilled to finally be riding. Abby, his twin, is quite a bit more shy and took a little coaxing and a few tears by both of us before she, too, climbed onto the bus that ushered in her first day of school.
My all-time favorite first day of kindergarten picture is of those two sitting in the front seat as the bus drove away with their noses smooshed against the window. By then, both kids were all smiles, and as my husband and I sat in the driveway watching our big kids pull away we were overcome with emotion. They seemed so old, and yet too young. I was so excited for them, and yet sad that our little “play dates” together had come to an end. I knew our relationship would change, but believed with my whole heart they were exactly where they were supposed to be.
Sending my second set of twins off to their first day of kindergarten brought completely different emotions. Ryan and Hailey had watched Will and Abby go to school for two years and knew exactly what they were supposed to do. There were no tears, no fears and no hesitation. They just boarded the bus, waved good-bye and went to school. My husband wasn’t there this time, I didn’t have any kids to walk back in the house with, it was just me; standing in my neighbors driveway filled with overwhelming emotions of excitement for my children, sadness for me and amazement that I was old enough to have four kids in grade school. I walked in my house and dished myself up a bowl of congratulatory ice cream!
We have experienced a lot of kindergarten success. Thanks to an amazing teacher (for all four of my kids!) and preparation ahead of time, my kids were excited and ready for their first day of kindergarten. Here are some of the ways we prepared for our first day of school and ensured kindergarten success.
1. Plan a special first day of school breakfast.
2. Pick out a new first day of school outfit.
3. Talk through their list of first day of school questions as many times as they need to.
4. Pack a note in their lunch bag.
5. Plan a special after school treat.
6. Pray!
Many children, especially those with older children, have longed for the right of passage that comes with kindergarten success. Whether your child is fearful or excited, establishing some rituals that bring both excitement and a sense of calmness to the first day of school will encourage your child to love school and enjoy the fun and success it brings.
ThumbPeople provides simple tools for parents that helps them encourage and bless their children.
Through Thumbuddy children’s books, nurturing kid’s music, preschool curriculum and soaking music that reflects God’s love for us, ThumbPeople helps families to live the abundantly blessed lives that God wants each of us to experience.
Calm First Day of School Jitters
My friend, Jen, and her children just held their annual “I can” party. I keep telling myself one of these days I am going to be organized enough to pull this off as well, but it starts all the way back in the fall before the first day of school.
At the end of summer, Jen meets one-on-one with each of her children, and they talk about how they are feeling about the upcoming first day of school and school year. They discuss what they are excited about and what fears they may have. Then they make a list. Together they create an “I can’t” list for each child. It may be something like, “I can’t tie my shoes yet” to more school specific concepts such as, “I can’t read yet.” Regardless of what it is, Jen writes it down. Then the night before the first day of school, her family has an “I can’t funeral.” They talk about what they can’t do yet an
d why they are afraid of learning it and then Jen hides the box in the top of her closet for the school year. I’m sure you can tell where this is going, but I’ll finish the story anyway.
So last night, they had their “I can party.” Jen pulls the box down from her closet and they read through the lists and celebrate everything they have learned throughout the school year. It is a very tangible, wonderful way for Jen and her children to celebrate their grade specific and kindergarten success.
The first day of kindergarten or the first day of school in any grade for the matter, can cause great anxiety for children. But preparation and planning can make the first day of school more enjoyable for all of you. Simple things like wearing a brand new first day of school outfit or shoes can make your child feel confident and special. Packing a special first day of school treat or a note in their lunch box or driving them to or from school rather than having them take the bus home will also let your children know it is a special and exciting day.
Most importantly, though, is to talk to your children. Make sure you encourage them, build up their self-esteem, let them know you love them and are proud of them regardless of how that first day of school goes. Your child is probably feeling incredible excitement and great anxiety, and the knowledge of knowing you are pleased with them will help to ease the first day of school butterflies in their tummies.
Don’t let the first day of kindergarten weigh so heavily on your child that they are unable to enjoy it. Open the lines of communication and keep them open throughout the school year. Having a successful first day of school and school year begins at home and with the parents. They can’t do it, nor should they have to do it, without your love and support.
Even though you won’t always be able to be with your children – the words that you’ve spoken to them will resonate within their heart and be there to encourage and comfort them throughout their lifetime.
The positive and encouraging words within Thumbuddy children’s books, positive kid’s music, preschool curriculum and soaking music reflecting the comforting promises of Scripture will empower your child to experience kindergarten success and success all throughout life.
Thumbuddy Goes to School
Price: $14.95
