#1 Spiritual

What areas of my ​children’s spiritual ​life do I want to ​help them grow in ​during the ​holidays?

The holidays present a unique opportunity for you to bring your ​children deeper into their Christian faith. Picture your child in 10 ​years time. What kind of disciple of Christ do you envision ​him/her to be then? That is the picture you will need to work ​towards. Every day is one step closer towards that picture if you ​are intentional about it. But, if you remain passive, that will not be ​the picture that you will get at the end.

There are 2 key questions you can ask yourself as you plan for this ​area for this school holidays:

• What do I want to teach them about God?
  
• What do I want to teach them about God’s Ways?
  

Suggestions

• Have a daily devotion with them before they go to bed. This is the best time to cultivate ​certain spiritual rituals and habits into their lives.
  
• Spend some time each week praying for them.
  
• Talk to them about the Christian faith, and their struggles with it.
  
• Go through with the the Apostles Creed, line by line.
  
• Explain to them what each statement means.
  
• Resource: What is the Apostles Creed? by Christianity.com
  
• Watch a Christian Movie together.
  
• Do a Bible Study together
  
• Our Recommended Resources for Littles by Risen Motherhood
  

Resources

• Tips to Guide Your Child’s Spiritual Growth by Focus on the Family
  
• A Master Plan for Spiritual Growth in Kids by Children’s Ministry.com
  
• Helping Children Notice God by Renovaré
  
• Practical Ways to Help Families Nurture Faith at Home by Children’s Ministry.com
  

Kids are naturally active and love to do fun things. During the ​holidays, ensure that they have enough time to have fun and be ​active. Better still, do the fun activites with them. This would ​create beautiful memories for them to hold onto in the future. ​Also, use these activities as an opportunity to speak into their ​lives - to shape their character and to develop Godly values ​within them.

• What 2-3 areas of my child’s character do I want to shape ​during these holidays?
  
• What activities can I use to teach these values and to keep ​my child fit?
  

Suggestions

• Bring them on an outdoor hiking adventure in Singapore to build their resilience. For ​example, hike up Bukit Timah Hill, or bring them on a cycling adventure at Pulau Ubin. ​Visit Timeout.com to find out some of the best hiking trails and spots in Singapore.
  
• Visit one of Singapore’s outdoor attractions - the Singapore Zoo, Botanical Gardens, ​Gardens by the Bay, Marina Barrage, Sentosa, etc.
  
• Have fun at the Sentosa Hydrodash floating obstacle course.
  
• Have an Intertidal Adventure (finding sea animals) at Changi Beach.
  
• Play an outdoor sport with your kids - soccer, bowling, basketball, etc.
  
• Organise a shooting game for your kids with their friends - NERF Wars, Laser Quest
  
• Design and Build a Lego project with them
  
• Use the Home Court App to do home interactive fitness games.
  

Resources

• Teaching Character to Your Kids by Focus on the Family
  
• 10 Important Values to Teach Your Children by New Life Community Services
  
• 12 Tips for Life Coaching Kids & Coaching Children by Positive Psychology
  
• 42 Events, Activities and Things to do For Kids in Singapore by BYKidO
  

Every child is a relational being. Being able to relate and connect ​well with others is a skillset that every child needs to learn. If not, ​they would grow up without good friends or knowing what it ​means to be a good friend. In addition to that, children also need ​other trusted adults in whom they can confide in; especially ​when they are reluctant to share with their parents. Use this ​holidays to facilitate opportunities for your child to connect with ​other children, as well as other trusted adults (such as those in ​your cell).

• Who are 4-5 of my child’s friends that can form his/her core ​spiritual community? What can I do to help strengthen their ​relationships with each other?
  
• Who are 1-2 trusted adult individuals that can speak into my ​child’s life? How can I cultivate that relationship?
  

Suggestions

• Organise a play date. Use your observations of the playdate to teach, correct and ​encourage your child towards the right way of relating to his/her peers.
  
• Debrief and correct your child after a playdate so that he/she can learn the right way to ​approach the issues he/she faced.Have a meal with another family so that your child is ​exposed to other trusted adults within the church.
  
• Sign your child up for an adventure camp or activity where they will learn what it means ​to relate with others within a community.
  
• Allow 1-2 trusted individuals to have a date with your child in order for them to speak ​into his/her life.
  

Resources

• How to Help Children Find Good Friends by BBC UK
  
• Hosting the Perfect Playdate for Children Aged 5 - 7 by Twinkl Singapore
  
• How to Find a Mentor For Your Sensitive and Intense Child by Love, Laugh, Learn
  
• Finding a Mentor Who Can Encourage Your Child by Focus on the Family
  
• Supporting Your Child’s School-Age Friendships by Families for Life
  

Every single disciple of Christ has a mission - to be God’s channel ​of blessings and Good News wherever they are placed. This ​mission does not exclude our children. God desires for children ​to reach unredeemed children. God also desires that our children ​carry with them a missional DNA - to be the salt and the light of ​this earth. The school holidays are the best time for us to develop ​this missional DNA in their lives.

• Is there an outreach or volunteer programme or project that ​my child can participate in?
  
• What are some barriers in my child’s life from carrying this ​missional DNA in their lives? How can I help them to ​overcome these barriers?
  

Suggestions

• Go on a mission trip. Visit RiverLife Church’s Mission’s microsite for more ​information.
  
• Sign up and participate as a volunteer to help the less fortunate in Singapore.
  
• Sign Up to be a Volunteer with RiverLife Community Services
  
• Volunteering Opportunities for Kids in Singapore by Hope Channel Singapore
  
• 35 Places To Volunteer In Singapore & Give Back To Society, Sorted By Region by ​The Smart Local
  
• Volunteering for Kids in Singapore by HoneyKids
  

Resources

• How to Raise Mission-Minded Children by SonLight
  
• Becoming a Mission-Minded Family by Focus on the Family
  
• Encouraging Your Child to Volunteer by Family Central
  
• Volunteering With Your Child by Nemours Kid’s Health
  

“Train up a child in ​the way he should go; ​even when he is old ​he will not depart ​from it.”