Your child’s first day in reception or at a new school is a big big day - Tabitha Heathcote gives Christian parents some helpful advice for attending to the mind, body and soul of their children as they make their move
The school places have been finalised, and the countdown has begun. Whether your child is starting school for the first time, entering a new year, or starting at a new school, new beginnings are a big deal — and change is always hard. So how do we prepare our children in mind, body, and soul?
There are a great number of resources (see the bottom of this article) that help you work with the school to make your child’s transition and entry smooth and positive. But the best place to begin is with prayer and Scripture:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
— Philippians 4:6–7 (NIV)
Mind
One of the wonderful things about starting school is all the new information that children absorb for the first time. They marvel at things that we, as adults, take for granted or overlook. Children live in a safe world of imaginative adventure — a world that starting school impacts significantly. How can we prepare out children’s minds for starting school?
First, pray about it. Pray for and with your children, giving everything over to God — the good, the bad, the excitement, and the anxieties.
“Cast all your care upon Him.” — 1 Peter 5:7
Second, talk about it. Talking about change gets our minds ready for it. Start by subtly and continually dropping school into everyday conversation. This is especially important if your child gets upset at the mention of school. Don’t avoid the topic for fear of tears. Not talking about it is likely to cause more distress in the long run.
Naturally bringing up school in conversation allows children to express their thoughts and ask questions as they arise. It also helps them to visualise the change.
Stay positive. While it’s important to acknowledge both big and small worries, focus on what will remain the same and how their new life will fit into their old one. Emphasise the good things: meeting new friends, playing in the playground, growing up, learning to read by themselves — and so on.
Whether you’re sad at the thought of them going or beyond ready for them to start — enjoy walking through this season together, with Jesus
Third, help your child navigate their minefield of emotions. Children experience big emotions even when nothing is changing! At this milestone in their lives, those feelings are even bigger. One of the best things you can do is teach them how to recognise, name, and manage their emotions. Here are a few tools that can help:
- Pray — never underestimate the power of prayer, both yours and your child’s. Prayer helps us recognise, hold, and release our feelings.
- Use Scripture — give them words from the Word. The Bible includes stories and verses that speak to every emotion.
- Read The Colour Monster by Anna Llenas — a simple book that separates and names emotions to help children understand what they’re feeling.
- Read Count Yourself Calm by Eliza Huie — a Christian book that helps children calm down by focusing on God.
Body
Our bodies are amazing but often need a bit of help adjusting to change and preparing for new routines - here are some ideas:
- Independence — Starting school is a milestone of independence. Help your child feel confident using the toilet alone, washing their hands, and maintaining good hygiene. Encourage them to dress themselves — this builds confidence and reduces frustration and embarrassment at school.
- Settling sessions — Most schools offer these so children can get a taste of school life. Talk about everything they see and experience!
- School run — Practice the route to school. Knowing how they’ll get there, what they’ll see on the way, and who they might walk with can ease both your and your child’s nerves.
- Uniform — Many children enjoy putting on their new uniform and showing it off. If you get the uniform in advance, encourage your child to try it on and practise doing up buttons, Velcro, and zips. This builds independence. Preloved uniform is a great option — it’s good for the wallet and the environment. After day one, no one can tell the difference anyway!
Read more:
Now parents know which school their year 6 children are going to it’s time to start getting ready
Parents are the key to bridging the gap between church and school
Soul
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
— 3 John 1:4
This is the most important section. Our minds, bodies, and souls are interconnected. When your mind is anxious, your stomach hurts. When your soul is troubled, your mind and body feel it too. We often prepare our children mentally and physically but forget about preparing their soul.
When we entrust our children to their schools, we’re no longer the only influence in their lives. A child’s spirit is their very essence — shaping who they are, what they believe, and the choices they make. Preparing them spiritually means giving them strong foundations.
The world will try to shape your child according to its own values. But we are called to live in the world, not of it (John 17:11, 14–16; Proverbs 22:6). We want our children to have not just a sense of right and wrong, but also of purpose, meaning, and truth.
Every day they will face questions of belonging, identity, purpose, and belief. Where will they look for answers?
How do I equip my child spiritually?
- Pray — Let prayer be their source of strength, comfort, and joy. Make it the number one go-to for both you and them.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances…” — 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
- Clothe them in the armour of God — Start by praying it over them, then teach them to do it for themselves.
“Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get… Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them… God’s Word is an indispensable weapon… Pray hard and long.”
— Ephesians 6:13–16 (MSG)
- Instill Truth — Remind your children again and again who they are and to whom they belong.
“I am who the I AM says I am.”
They belong to God, and He loves them. Nothing will ever change that (Romans 8:38–39).
- Teach them God’s promises — Knowing who they are means knowing who God is.
“Teach them diligently to your children… when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up…”
— Deuteronomy 6:7–8
- Write Scripture on their hearts — Scripture memory may seem old-school, but it’s powerful. When your child is lost or afraid, it’s the verses they’ve memorised that will comfort them and remind them of who God is.
The world offers our children much — some good, some bad, and some disguised. Be wise in how you prepare them, and discerning in the face of parental pressure.
This summer, don’t worry about doing everything. Focus instead on quality time with your children. Capture the moments and make memories. In the blink of an eye, summer will be over, and September will be here.
Whether you’re sad at the thought of them going or beyond ready for them to start — enjoy walking through this season together, with Jesus.
Scriptures
- Cast your worries onto Jesus — 1 Peter 5:7
- Come close to God — James 4:8
- Be strong and courageous — Joshua 1:9
- Trust in the Lord — Proverbs 3:5–6
- Need wisdom? Ask God — James 1:5
- Do not worry — Matthew 6:34
- The Lord is my shepherd — Psalm 23
- Armour of God — Ephesians 6:10–18
Resources
- BBC Bitesize: Parents’ Toolkit
- Scripture Union – It’s Your Next Step
- Easy-reader books about starting school
- Usborne: Starting School section
