The phase when fairness matters most, differences get noticed, and your enthusiastic kid thinks anything, “Sounds like fun!”
Second Grade:
PARENT RESOURCE CENTER
You are entering the golden years of childhood. No one should have a favorite phase, but if you like this phase a whole lot, you aren’t alone. Your kid is impressionable, eager, and excited about what you are excited about. If you think something sounds life fun, it won’t take much to convince them it really is fun.
This phase is a blend of capable and dependent.
Your second grader’s brain is changing in some incredible ways, and they are beginning to notice, “Not everyone is like me.” Until now, everyone was pretty equal. Seriously, what kindergartner isn’t “the best” at everything? By second grade, kids take notice of qualities that make one kid “athletic” and another “artistic.”
Differences display their uniqueness.
Cops. CSI. Nancy Drew. Whatever the badge, your child will quickly apprehend and convict you for offenses of unfairness. They may also report the offenses of others, including teachers, classmates, or puppies-if they detect a preference that isn’t in their favor.
Fairness matters.
the Second Grade Phase
welcome to
water regularly
In Elementary:
Emphasize engaging in your child's interests to demonstrate trusting in God's character. Water the seeds and, as they sprout up, cultivate community and nurture their sense of discovery to prepare your child for what comes next.
In the Second Grade phase, your role is to engage their interests.
- Elementary schoolers think like a scientist | You help them learn when you… give them concrete examples.
- Elementary schoolers want to know, “Do I have what it takes?” | You capture their hearts when you… encourage their efforts.
- Elementary schoolers are motivated by fun | You coach them when you… play on their level.
Think. Want. Motivate.
Rhythms & Responses
Make the most of Each moment (Eph 5:16)
Click to read more
Why Rhythms & Responses Matter:
Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise; redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (Eph 5:15–16)
In other words: Life is short & the days are evil. Days, however, are also opportunities.
Our English word opportunity comes from a Latin word meaning, “toward the port,” suggesting that a ship can take advantage of the winds and tides to navigate safely toward the harbor.
The brevity of life makes it all the more important to make the best use of the opportunities God gives us. Much like a ship, in life's short journey, there are winds and tides that can be leveraged for a good purpose.
In Paul’s time, when Roman persecution was on the way, how foolish to waste opportunities to win the lost when soon those opportunities might be taken away! In the moments we have with our children, this is why our rhythms and responses matter: that by the grace of God, we could redeem the time we have, no matter how fleeting or frustrating.
Be a counselor. Strengthen you relationship through heart conversations at the end of the day.
Bed TIME
Be a teacher. Establish values with intentional conversations while you eat together.
Meal TIME
Be a friend. Interpret life during informal conversations as you travel.
Drive TIME
Be a coach. Instill purpose be starting the day with encouraging words.
MORNING TIME
be wise with your time.
"I love that you noticed how they are feeling. What could we do to help?"
Encourages them to act on their impulses to help others.
"You should treat others the way you want to be treated."
"When I first followed Jesus…"
Share your faith story.
be wise with your words.
This year you will provoke discovery so your child will trust God’s character and experience God’s family.
Your second grader may be starting to enjoy reading. So, this is a great year to encourage skills that will help them enjoy reading the Bible. Make sure they have a full-text Bible in an easy-to-read translation, like the NIV or ESV.
Throughout your week, continue to talk about faith together.
show authentic faith
– Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Our aim as parents
Child Developments & Change
Your Child's Growing Capabilities (1 Cor 3:2)
Click to read more
Why Development & Change Matters:
But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready. (1 Cor 3:1-2)
At one point in time, you had to start out with the basics. As you learned and you grew, you were able to handle more difficult things. This is why Paul compares himself to a mother in places like 1 Cor 4:15 and 1 Thess 2:7.
A major part of intentional Christian parenting means giving your children what they need when they need it. By being aware of their milestones and tendencies, you can adjust their goals with their capabilities.
Then, as they near their next milestone, you're there waiting to celebrate, and you're ready to give them more. A good parent knows when their children need to grow. Instead of just leaving them with milk, like Paul, we should desire to give them more and more as they become ready for it.
As your child grows, this is why you need to navigate the changes well: that by the grace of God, you could help them stretch and learn to know the Gospel at every age. To do this, you can't just meet them where they are, you must know how to gently push them on where they need to go.
- Better able to control their emotions
- Tends to be perfectionistic (easily embarrassed by failure)
- May confuse “I feel…” with “I am…”
- Thrives with routines and clear boundaries
- Highly sensitive to harsh criticism tone, and body language
emotionally
- May struggle in highly competitive situations
- Often prefers independent work and alone time
- Places a high value on fairness and consistency
- Shows gender preference for friends
socially
- Concentrates on one activity up to 30 minutes
- Logically interprets cause and effect
- Has a better understanding of time (seconds, minutes, hours, days…)
- Learns well through hands-on activities, problem solving, codes, and puzzles
- Beginning to notice that people have different perspectives than their own
mentally
- Continues losing baby teeth (incisors and canines)
- Grows approximately three inches and gains seven pounds, typically in spurts
- Hand-eye coordination is improving
- Needs 10-11 hours of sleep each night
physically
your child is changing...
In elementary, you are setting the stage for truth based on what is black and white, as well as creating habits that could last a decade.
Resources For This Stage
No matter how much you prepare, no matter how much you work, you're going to miss something. You're going to mess up. You're going to say or do something you regret. And yes, God can redeem even your short-comings as a parent.
To the best of our ability, we can hope that we use the tools given to us to be Godly parents, grandparents, and mentors. But thanks be to God that the salvation of the children in our care does not depend solely on us.
To play on Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 3, I ask: What then is a father? What then is a mother? One can plant, and one can water, but it is God who gives the increase.
So, as a parent, do what you can. And aim to do it well. But trust that God, who is able to do far more abundantly than all that you could ask or think, will be glorified throughout all generations, even yours.
God's got this.
This all might sound like a lot, but I can assure you...
201 s. peachtree parkway, ptc, ga | contact us | IMAGES By Maddyem photography