What Kids Need
Kids Need a Foundation
(Matthew 7:24-29; Deuteronomy 6:7)
The Situation: Parents ask, "What will they learn?" Every child is different. They bring a variety of abilities and backgrounds to the classroom. Some children know a great deal about the Bible; others have no Christian instruction. Teachers are perplexed about how much to communicate to their classes.
The Solution: Learning is like climbing a ladder. Each rung must support us before we step higher. The early years lay the foundation for all other learning. Jesus' parables illustrate this. He used familiar settings to communicate new principles about God's kingdom. Higher-order information makes sense only when we add it to an existing foundation of knowledge.
What You Can Do: Reinforce your child's foundation. Remember that new learning builds on previous learning. Become the expert of your child's abilities and experiences. Don't push too hard; but don't let him or her slide into mediocrity, either. When appropriate, supplement the curriculum. Ask your child's teacher where to begin.
