Third Grade

Podcast: 

Development Stage:

Third graders are at an exciting developmental stage marked by significant growth in both cognitive and social skills. At this age, children become more independent thinkers and problem solvers, showing increased curiosity about the world around them. Academically, they begin to tackle more complex concepts in reading, writing, and math, often transitioning from learning to read to reading to learn. Socially, friendships become more important, and they start to understand and navigate social dynamics with greater awareness. Emotionally, third graders may experience a wider range of feelings and develop a stronger sense of empathy towards others. This stage is characterized by a blend of enthusiasm for learning and a desire for autonomy, making it a vibrant time of exploration and growth.
 

Spiritual Rhythms: 

Prayer:

Show your child the importance of prayer by allowing them to see and hear you pray regularly. Take moments to give thanks when God blesses you or answers a prayer, and model prayer during challenging times or when seeking wisdom for important decisions. Remember to pray for family members and others in need as well.

Here are some ideas to kick off prayer time with your child:

• Sentence Prayers: Take turns praying short, simple prayers. 
• Fill-in-the-Blank Prayers: Use guided phrases to help focus your prayers:
  • God, I love you because…
  • Thank you, God, for…
  • God, please help…
  • God, I’m sorry for…

• Prayer Board: Keep a dry erase board or a calendar in a visible area of your home to note items the family is praying for together.
• Prayer Journal: Consider giving your child a journal to record their prayers and note how God answers them.
• Mirror Prayers: Write prayer concerns on your child’s bathroom mirror with a dry erase marker, prompting them to pray after brushing their teeth.

Incorporating prayer into your family culture will help make it a natural part of your child’s life. Consider adding the following routines:

• Mealtime: Briefly give thanks before meals, then take a moment for a longer prayer once everyone has finished eating.
• Bedtime: The first person to go to bed (often the youngest) can signal the family to gather for an end-of-day prayer.
• Drive Time: Before starting the engine, pause for a brief prayer asking God to accompany you. Invite everyone to share a short prayer for any concerns about the day ahead, especially on school mornings.
• Walks: Use family walks as a time to pray, or pause at the end to pray about topics discussed during your walk.

These practices can help instill a meaningful prayer life in your child, making it a cherished part of your family’s daily routine.
 

Worship:

Make it a priority to help your child discover authentic worship by trying out some of these ideas:

• Family Discussions: Spend a few minutes at the dinner table or in the car taking turns sharing something about who God is and what He has done, focusing entirely on Him rather than on yourselves.
• Regular Church Attendance: Commit to attending church services as a family, where you can praise God and study His Word together, making worship a consistent priority.
• Musical Worship: Create a joyful worship experience by playing songs or making music together with instruments. Psalm 100:2 encourages us to “Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.”
• Designated Worship Days: Establish specific days like “Worship Wednesdays” to intentionally worship together. This can be as simple as sharing something you observed about God during the day on your way to or from school or before bed.
• Engaging Questions: Ask your child questions about God’s character or His creation to help them reflect on His greatness and wonders.

These activities can help your child deepen their understanding and practice of worship in meaningful ways.
 

Expectations: 

• Academic Growth: Your child will build on foundational skills, diving deeper into reading comprehension, writing, and math concepts, including multiplication and division.
•  Increased Independence: Third graders often seek more autonomy, wanting to manage their homework and personal responsibilities with less assistance.
• Social Dynamics: Friendships become more significant and complex, with children navigating group interactions, developing loyalty, and sometimes facing conflicts.
• Critical Thinking: They will start to think more critically, asking deeper questions and engaging in problem-solving activities both in and out of school.
• Emotional Awareness: Your child will gain a better understanding of their emotions and the feelings of others, leading to enhanced empathy and social skills.
•  Extracurricular Interests: Many children this age begin to explore extracurricular activities, such as sports, music, or clubs, helping them discover their passions.
• Homework Routine: Expect regular homework assignments, which will encourage responsibility and time management skills.
•  Parent Involvement: You may have opportunities to participate in school events, volunteer, and engage with your child’s learning.
• Developing Values: This is a key time for instilling values, as children start to form their own beliefs and understand concepts like fairness and justice.
• Joyful Exploration: Overall, expect a year filled with enthusiasm and curiosity as your child explores new concepts and develops their identity!

Leaders: 

• Triston and April Thompkins 

Resources: 

• Teaching Kids Authentic Worship by Kathleen Chapman 
• Creative Family Prayer Times by Mike and Amy Nappa 
• Power of a Praying Kid by Stormie Omartian 

Fourth Grade

Podcast:

Development Stage:

Fourth graders, typically around nine to ten years old, are in a key stage of cognitive and social development. At this age, children transition from concrete operational thinking to more advanced reasoning skills, allowing them to understand complex concepts and engage in problem-solving. They become more independent learners, capable of organizing their thoughts and materials. Socially, friendships gain importance, and they begin to navigate group dynamics and peer relationships, fostering a sense of belonging. Emotional development also progresses, as they learn to manage their feelings and understand the perspectives of others, contributing to their growing empathy and self-regulation skills.
 

Spiritual Rhythms: 

Giving:

Your message beautifully emphasizes the importance of stewardship and teaching children about giving and managing resources in a way that honors God. Here’s a concise overview that captures the key points:

Teaching Stewardship to Your Child

• Recognize Blessings: Understand that God blesses us with gifts, talents, and resources, and we are called to be good stewards of these blessings.
• Model Giving: Demonstrate generosity in your own life by tithing and managing finances responsibly. Prioritize giving to God, then savings, and finally spending.
• Teach About Tithing: Use biblical examples, such as Jacob’s vow in Genesis 28:10-22, to illustrate the importance of giving a portion of income (10% or tithe) as an act of worship and obedience.
• Encourage Responsible Money Management: When your child receives money (allowance, gifts), help them divide it wisely: 10% for giving, 10% for savings, and 80% for spending.
• Engage with Activities: Use tools like the Rolling in Money activity card and stickers to create savings and giving boxes, making the concept of stewardship tangible and fun.
• Instill a Cheerful Giving Spirit: Remind your child that giving should come from the heart, reflecting gratitude and love for God, as highlighted in 2 Corinthians 9:7.

By integrating these practices into daily life, you can help your child develop a mindset of stewardship that honors God and prepares them for future financial responsibility.
 

Serving:

Your insights on encouraging children to recognize and use their gifts and talents for service are invaluable. Here’s a summarized guide that captures your key points:

Encouraging Service Through Spiritual Gifts

• Discover Unique Gifts: Use the “Assessing Your Child’s Spiritual Gifts” tool to help your child identify their unique talents and interests.
• Shared Passion: Engage in conversations about your child’s interests and concerns. Finding common ground can make service more meaningful.
• Find Good Fit Opportunities: Help your child select service activities that align with their skills and passions, whether it’s baking for neighbors or participating in mission trips.
• Set Expectations: Prepare your child for what to expect in various service settings (like nursing homes), helping them feel more comfortable and aware.
• Encourage Strengths: While serving, pay attention to your child’s strengths and provide positive feedback to build their confidence and reinforce their contributions.
• Ensure Safety: Always prioritize safety, especially in unfamiliar environments. Keep a close eye on each other during service activities.
• Reflect Together: After serving, discuss the experience with questions like:

• “What difference did we make?”
• “Why was this project important?”
• “How did it impact those we served?”
• “How did it impact you and our family?”

• Pray Together: Conclude your service by praying for those you helped, asking God to bless them and to guide your continued efforts.

By fostering a spirit of service, you help your child not only develop their gifts but also understand the importance of giving back and glorifying God through their actions.
 

Expectations:

• Academic Growth: Your child will be introduced to more complex math concepts. They will have the chance for improved reading comprehension and writing skills. There will also be an increased emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving. 
• Social Development: Many children during this time develop stronger friendships and peer relationships become central. They will begin navigating group dynamics, cooperation, and occasional conflicts. You could also see your child have a greater interest in social activities and interactions. 
• Emotional Changes: This is a time in your child’s life that you will see more expressive communication of feelings and opinions. There may be occasional mood swings and need for emotional support. Your child will begin developing empathy and understanding of others’ perspectives. 
• Increased Independence: Children during this age begin taking more responsibility for homework and school projects. During this time there will be a need for guidance in organizational skills and time management. 
• Extracurricular Interests: There will most likely be a growing interest in sports, music, or other clubs. There will be plenty of opportunities to explore new hobbies and activities. 
• Communication: It will be important to have an open dialogue about school, friendships, and feelings with your child. This will be a good time to encourage your child to share experiences and challenges with you. 

Leaders:

• Derek and Jennifer Altom 

Resources:

• 77 Ways Your Family Can Make a Difference by Penny A. Zeller
• Financial Peace Junior by Dave Ramsey