Five Reasons Why Every Kid Should Be In Church

When Christ commanded, “Suffer the children, forbid them not, to come unto me,” He reacted to disciples who thought Christ was too important for children. Today, many parents don’t think bringing children to Christ is important enough. Sports activities, family reunions, mini-vacations, and more seem to keep families from consistent church attendance. For centuries it’s been a tradition for people of faith to attend church and people who are not committed to their faith to stay home or pursue some other interest. Today, it’s not uncommon to hear that people who consider themselves followers of God commonly follow their self-interests on the Lord’s Day – Sunday. If parents cannot find motivation to attend church for their own spiritual welfare, we’ll provide some reasons why every kid should be in church every Sunday.

1.  Honoring God with the first day of the week teaches the proper priorities of life. When we consecrate the first day of the week to corporate worship, we take the first step toward consecrating the entire week toward personal worship. This concept applies to children just like adults, only on an elementary level. Why should children care about obeying God’s commands, like “Children obey your parents,” when He’s not important enough to worship on His day.

2. Church attendance teaches children dedication to something other than their self-interests. Unfortunately, the Lord’s Day has been replaced with a day off of work to do whatever families please. This sends the message that dedication to self exceeds the value of worship. It’s difficult enough teaching kids they are not the center of the universe. Self-esteem psychology has become America’s childhood religion. Everything marketed to kids preaches the idea that what they want matters more than anything else. When parents make church the family’s number one interest on Sunday, kids learn there’s a High Power whose interests overshadow any child’s or adult’s.

3. Church attendance teaches children a religious discipline that needs to be developed early. From a carnal perspective, who wouldn’t rather accept an invitation to a sporting event or feast at a backyard cookout on Sunday? No one has to be tempted to choose instant gratification over spiritual growth. Our flesh already desires that, but when we grab for things that offer instant gratification rather than Sunday worship, we forfeit something that counts for eternity. Likewise, we fail to teach our children habits that benefit them for years to come.

4. Church attendance teaches children what is important to mom and dad. Understand that church attendance does not stand alone as a spiritual issue. Spiritual issues rise and fall together. If someone cannot be faithful to church, it’s unlikely that they are solid in other areas of their spiritual life. If you want your children to believe you value other spiritual matters (e.g. purity, kindness, work ethic, honesty), show them by taking them to worship on Sunday. Mom and dad should be the worship leaders in the home, and their leadership starts with modeling.

5. Church attendance teaches children what types of associations benefit them. Children benefit from fellowship with other families and teaching from Christian leaders. As they observe the body of Christ engage in missions, benevolence, and service, children learn what Christian fellowship entails.

Nothing has been mentioned yet about all the reasons why adults should attend church. The command to attend the assemblies of believers (Heb. 10:25), to learn from God’s servants (Eph. 4:11), and to worship corporately (Eph. 5:19) should land every Christian adult in church on Sunday morning. And if there was not biblical command, the spiritual benefits abound. The same applies to our children. Jesus’s parents took Him to church, and He didn’t even need it. We have no excuse.

Why Parents Make the Best Study Partners

All parents want their children to make good grades, and they want it to be as painless as possible. Academic success takes hard work. There are no shortcuts. There are, however, study methods that are more effective than others. One of these is the use of a study partner. It’s the best way to study for the test. Students master material in faster time and in greater depth when they have opportunities to verbalize it. Many parents have found that sending a student to the bedroom to study alone returns poor results. They find that a lot of time has been spent on a disappointing outcome. Here are a few points to argue that parents make the best study partners, no matter how old the student may be.

1. Parents are more efficient with time. When students try to study alone, time is often wasted on daydreaming, getting organized, and fighting distractions. Parents are busy and have much more to do than study for the history quiz. There’s plenty of motivation to stay focused on the task and finish in a timely manner. Parents also have the authority to remove distractions, like disruptive siblings.
2. Parents already have the responsibility to supervise their student’s academics. What better way to stay on top of your children’s study habits and test performance than to be their study partner. There will be no wondering about what material the test covered, and there will be no surprises about your student’s readiness for the test. This type of hands-on involvement gives you more insight if you need to help them improve their grades.
3. Parents have a broader knowledge of study methods than children. Some students can learn and memorize by reading. Most cannot. Many students need to “talk it out” or have it verbally recited to them. If you do not know what works best for your child, you are the person in the best position to experiment with different study methods. When you figure out what works best, you can reduce study time and stress by making sure your child uses the most profitable study methods.
4. Parents serve as the best accountability partner. Are the students writing down their assignments properly? Are they working on projects at a proper pace? Are they studying early enough rather than cramming? When a child knows he will be studying with his parents, he’s more likely to follow the procedures his parents and teachers expect.
5. Parents have the power to be a student’s best encourager and motivator. Believe it or not, every child wants his parents to be proud of him. No one motivates children like mom and dad. Remember that they care about what you care about. Likewise, they dismiss what you dismiss. The hands-on approach of studying with them communicates the high priority you have for academic success. Sometimes, students need encouragement when their test performance disappoints them. When you studied with them and you know they did their best, you are in the best position to help them gain the right perspective about the disappointment. Stress that you are mostly interested their effort, not comparisons to other students or siblings.

There will be times when the day’s demands don’t permit you to be as hands-on as you prefer. When you have to “farm out” help, make sure you ask questions, provide accountability, and communicate that academics are important to you. When you work closely with your child – supervising and motivating – you will observe your child getting the most out of their study time.

Does Common Core Affect Christian Schools?

In recent days, I’ve been asked questions about Common Core, and more specifically, if it affects Christian schools. Sponsored by the National Governors Association (NGA), and greatly funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the educational standards known as the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) were developed for the purpose of raising test scores compared to other countries. It is believed that higher test scores indicated better learning that translates into greater competitiveness in the global market. If every state accepts the standard, then every school could potentially use the same tests to assess and then compare results. Additionally, every school can be certain as to the education standards that will be expected for each student.

Many conservative groups have come out against CCSS. First, it’s expected that conservative groups will oppose any movement that “nationalizes” education,  reducing state control. In this case, states have not surrendered their control to the federal government, but rather to a public association (NGA).  The federal government, however, has become involved. The Obama administration’s Department of Justice heavily promotes Common Core, and $350 million of the Race to the Top funds has been spent toward developing tests for CCSS.

Secondly, some oppose it because the educational standards are deficient, improving the bottom half while failing to challenge the top half. Because much of the literature requirements have been replaced with informational reading, analytical thinking has been replaced with social justice teaching. A proponent of this view is Sandra Stotsky from the University of Arkansas. In a report published by the Heritage Foundation, she refutes the idea that this type of language arts instruction makes students more college ready. Many public schools already lack adequate instruction in analytical reading, contributing to the lack of college readiness.  The fact is, as Stotsky points out, no empirical study has shown that informational reading prepares students for college better than studies in literature.

Thirdly, many states have reconsidered CCSS due to opposition by local politicians. Emerging concerns about the cost of implementation and the forfeiture of state control have state leaders worried.  While 45 states have adopted Common Core, many are now withdrawing or delaying implementation while they re-evaluate its effects. North Carolina stands among states rethinking CCSS. The state board of education currently has the standards under review. Lt. Gov. Dan Forrest conveyed concern that Common Core has not been field tested, and NC should not rush to implement these standards. Forest compared this to the FDA rolling out a new drug without testing for its side effects. Additionally, the financial burden of implementation could be a deterrent. The Pioneer Institute estimates a price tag of $16 billion over 17 years for implementation in most states. This is a high price tag on a new set of standards that has not been proven.

Fortunately, Christian schools have the freedom to choose curriculum standards that promote our goals. Our students learn from a challenging set of standards that exceed the Common Core State Standards. We begin with traditional educational standards that have a track record for producing college ready results. While we yearly assess our performance outcomes and make improvements as needed, we do not rush in to trendy solutions without a proven track record.  While I don’t recommend Common Core for the state of North Carolina, for Christian schools, it’s not even an option. Our teaching emerges from a biblical philosophy that has not existed in the public school system for over half a century.

Online Resources for Enrichment

Students look forward to the summer because they want a break from the toil of rigorous, brain wrenching activities. However, too long of a break is counterproductive. Students need some mind provoking activity to keep their learning alive during the summer months. Educational experiences like visiting a museum or taking a trip to the library to check out a book can be profitable.

A great tool to utilize is the Internet. Interactive games and activities make learning and review fun. You’ll find limitless educational sources on the Internet for students to use, but to get started consider some of our teachers’ recommendations.

http://www.bartleby.com -- A good source for reading and research material. (adult level readers)

www.arcademicskillbuilders.com -- Math and language games (elementary)

http://www.softschools.com -- Math, history, and language games and quizzes (elementary and middle school)

www.ixl.com -- Interactive math reviews (elementary, junior high, and high school)

www.turtlediary.com -- Math and English (lower elementary)

www.fun4thebrain.com -- Interactive games (lower elementary)

www.iknowthat.com -- Interactive learning in science, social studies, math, and language arts (elementary)

http://www.kidsnumbers.com -- Interactive math reviews and games (elementary)

If you download Google’s browser Chrome, you can download many free educational apps for typing practice, science exploration, math review, foreign language learning, discovery, and research for all ages.

Thousands of instructional videos for all ages covering all subjects can be found at khanacademy. 

*Remember that we cannot endorse everything you may find on these sites. Please supervise your children carefully.

Does Cursive Writing Matter Anymore?

The Common Core Curriculum standards, now adopted by over 40 states, omit a requirement to teach cursive writing. Given the widespread use of technology, some believe that society will reach a day when words are only typed and nothing will be written on paper. Many schools have pulled the plug on cursive writing, stating that it is unnecessary and an unprofitable use of time. Since the cursive writing debate has now reached our state and has become somewhat of a controversy in Wake County, I’ve decided to weigh in on the subject. Here are some good reasons to continue teaching cursive writing, especially at a young age.

1. The constant motion required in cursive writing, as opposed to the ball and stick print method, works better, looks better, and reads better given younger students’ level of motor skill development.
2. Writing lower case letters requires up to 6 motions in print but only 3 in cursive.
3. Comparisons between cursive and print writers taking the SAT indicate a big advantage. Students writing in cursive have been able to write down a significantly greater amount of words than those who print.
4. Students who have developed cursive writing skills are able to take faster notes as required in older grades.
5. Cursive writing helps young students decipher between letters like p/q and b/d. Cursive has proven to be a greater help to students struggling with dyslexia.
6. Cursive writing helps develop intellectual tasks. Brain research, specifically PET scans, has provided evidence that motor skills used in cursive writing open neural pathways that enable language fluency. Additionally, some studies regarding adult language learners reveal better results when students wrote rather than typed foreign language assignments.
7. The bottom to up motion in cursive rather than the top down motion required for many print letters works better for left-handed students. They merely have to tilt the paper to keep from smudging their work.
8. Students who never learn cursive will have difficulty reading old historical documents. I realize this is not the most convincing reason to teach cursive. It would, however, be a shame if our students could not read original copies of the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution.
9. The constant flow of cursive writing enables a better flow of thinking when students write essays, research, and other thought provoking documents.

Agreed, cursive writing does not make a student an intellectual, nor does the desertion of cursive leave a student entirely uneducated. Education must keep up with the times by incorporating current technology into the curriculum. That does not mean traditional methods must be kicked to the curb. The development of students’ motor skills, language fluency, and intellectual thinking benefit from cursive writing. That’s why we’ll keep teaching it, and students will keep benefiting from it.

6 Danger Signs to Watch for When Using Technology

There has been a buzz in the media lately about a study conducted by Baylor University and Seton Hall. They found that materialism and impulsivity drive much of the cell phone behavior observed among teens and young adults. Average students checked their phones 60 times a day, sent 109 text messages, and received 119 messages. Compulsively checking the phone for messages and experiencing withdrawals when you don’t have it mirrors the symptoms of other addictions. Another study by the University of Michigan explored the question of whether or not excessive texting hinders students from learning proper social skills. Among teens, 75% have cell phones, and the average teen sends 60 texts per day – some send as many as 300 texts per day. While technology can be a blessing, it can cause problems when used without limits. As your family uses technology for the right purposes, here are a few dangers signs to watch.

1. Overstimulation.  Excessive time spent on media will complicate a student’s ability to concentrate. Entertainment is mindless; it requires no critical thinking. Students can become conditioned to quick changes – television’s rapid images and the internet’s high speed. This makes listening to a teacher, solving problems, and staying on task more difficult. Children, and adults alike, become conditioned to a way of thinking – or not thinking – that they carry everywhere with them. When living a life of over-stimulation, it’s unfeasible to believe you can concentrate and focus on demand.
2. Excessive Use. Do you find your kids spending time in front of the television that should be spent doing something productive, like homework? Are they sleepy all day because they have been texting in bed until late at night? While technology and media can be used for educational purposes and productive communication, they still have an addictive quality that often results in overuse. For example, the internet can be used for research, but one could easily spend too much time researching and not enough time completing the other aspects of an assignment. It’s hard enough for adults to discipline themselves; imagine how hard it is for students to fight the pull of Facebook, ipods, and texting when they should be working. They need parental oversight and instruction in time management. Also, don’t overlook the need for kids to drop their tech-toys and play outdoors, play with real toys or games, and converse with other kids (I don’t mean via Skype or Facebook). Tech-addicted kids don’t benefit from those experiences, and they often miss out on enjoyable and beneficial experiences.
3. Nomophobia. This is a new term defined as the fear of being unconnected with people via your cell phone. Time Magazine conducted a survey and reported that 84% said they could not be separated from their cell phone for one day. A Maryland University study 74% of people said they would panic if they lost their cell phone. Cell phones are convenient, and for some, mobile phones are a necessary tool for daily business. But addictions are dangerous, especially in kids. Many kids suffer in their social skills because their communication skills have been shaped by their compulsive texting. When you observe a decline in person-to-person social skills, it’s past time to reduce mobile phone usage.
4. Invasion of the Family’s Privacy. Do you want your child Skyping their friends from inside their bedroom? When they become teenagers, that will present an even more crucial scenario. Do your children know what they are and are not permitted to post on Facebook about your family? Does your child know what should and should not be videoed in your home and posted for others to see? These are guidelines that will have to be formed and modified as children enter new stages of life and as new forms of technology enter your home.
5. Unfiltered Internet. If you have unfiltered internet and your kids freely surf the web, be assured your kids have seen objectionable content. The absence of a filter is not a risk, it’s a sure disaster. Your children will be exposed to content you do not approve. Not necessarily because your kids will be looking for it, but because it will find your kids. Don’t forget that smartphones have unfiltered internet, and kids can easily borrow a friend’s phone and view content your home filter would not permit.
6. Mischievous Friends. Some are tempted to discuss topics and use language in texts that would never be said verbally for fear that their parents would hear them. Facebook can also become a bad influence when others begin posting and boasting about things that you find offensive. This requires parents to supervise communication and make sure their child’s contacts provide good relationships.

Alexander Pope once wrote in a poem, “A little learning is a dangerous thing, drink deep or taste not the Pierian Spring.” Apply this to your knowledge about your child’s technology usage. If you have let technology enter your home (we all have), then ignorance is detrimental. The Scriptures tell us that Satan is “like a roaring lion, walking about, seeking whom he may devour.” Don’t be passive, be alert. Jump in, be informed, instruct, and supervise.