Across the country, school bells will begin ringing to welcome back students from their “summer recess”. Those in football, band, cheerleading, or another school pre-season activity may feel as though school already started as they prepare for their new season! Yes, even as an aging 45 year old, the smell of wet, cut fescue on a morning drive to work will quickly invoke memories of those 2-a-day and yes, 3-a-day practices of long ago. Fortunately the transition for me was more bearable than those teammates who failed to prepare during the summer for “the day”!

For elementary children, the demands of pre-season may appear less but with careful attention, can be utilized to equip a child to begin on the right foot. Now don’t get me wrong… Summer is a wonderful time for family activity, rest, and enjoying God’s creation. It can serve as a well needed diversion from the routines of life for both a child and parent. Even so, with the call of school ringing aloud, preparation becomes the friend of choice at present.