Backpacks are packed.
Pencils are sharpened.
New shoes are ready.
Lunchboxes are waiting by the door.
We spend so much time getting our children ready for school—and understandably so. There are schedules to organize, supplies to buy, teachers to meet, and new routines to learn.
But there is another kind of preparation we don’t want to forget:
Preparing their hearts.
As a new school year begins, it’s a beautiful opportunity to help our children remember that God isn’t only with them at church or during Religious Education.
He goes with them into the classroom, onto the playground, through difficult assignments, into new friendships, and through all those first-day butterflies.
School supplies prepare them for class.
Faith prepares their heart. ❤️
1. Start the School Year With Prayer
Before the first day of school—or even after the year has already begun—take a few quiet minutes to pray together.
It doesn’t need to be complicated.
You might pray for:
- Your child’s teacher
- Their classmates
- New friendships
- Courage when they feel nervous
- Patience when learning feels difficult
- Wisdom and understanding
- Kindness toward others
- Safety throughout the school day
And don’t forget to ask your child:
“Is there anything you would like us to pray about for this school year?”
Their answer might surprise you.
Maybe they’re worried about making friends.
Maybe they’re nervous about reading aloud.
Maybe they hope they’ll like their new teacher.
Maybe they’re excited about something and simply want to thank God.
Give them space to talk—and then bring it to God together.
2. Give Your Child a Scripture for the School Year
A child doesn’t need to memorize dozens of Bible verses at once.
Start with one.
Choose a verse your child can return to when school feels difficult.
One wonderful verse for the beginning of a new year is:
“I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.” — Philippians 4:13 (NABRE)
Talk about what that means.
It doesn’t mean every assignment will be easy or that nothing will go wrong.
Instead, remind your child that when something feels difficult, they don’t face it alone.
You could write the verse on a small card and place it:
- Near their desk
- Inside their binder
- On their bedroom wall
- Beside their bed
- In a family prayer area
It becomes a simple reminder throughout the year:
God is with me here, too.
A Bible of Their Own 📖
If your child doesn’t have a Bible of their own yet, the beginning of a new school year can be a meaningful time to choose one together. Having their own Bible gives them a place to find the Scriptures you’re learning, follow along during Faith Formation, and gradually become comfortable opening God’s Word on their own.
Not sure which Bible to choose? Here are three options for different ages and needs:
For younger children: The Catholic Children’s Bible — a colorful, child-friendly choice that helps make Scripture approachable and engaging. → Take a Look on Amazon (paid link)
For a simple Bible they can grow with:
The New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE) — a more traditional Catholic Bible and a good option for children who are ready to begin using a full Bible.
→ Take a Look on Amazon (paid link)
For Religious Education or Faith Formation:
New Catholic Bible Student Edition — a student-focused option that can work well for religious education, study, and learning to navigate Scripture.
→ Take a Look on Amazon (paid link)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
3. Prepare for Religious Education or Faith Formation
Back-to-school season may also mean returning to Religious Education or Faith Formation classes at your parish.
Many of us grew up calling these classes CCD, and you may still hear that term. Today, parishes may use names such as Religious Education, Parish Religious Education, or Faith Formation.
Whatever your parish calls it, try not to present it to your child as simply another class they have to attend.
It’s an opportunity to learn more about the faith they are growing into.
Before classes begin, talk about it together.
Ask:
What would you like to learn about God this year?
Is there a saint you’d like to know more about?
Is there a prayer you want to learn?
Do you have questions about Mass?
Is there something about our Catholic faith you don’t understand yet?
And if your child asks a question you can’t answer?
That’s okay.
You can say:
“That’s a good question. Let’s find out together.”
Faith Formation doesn’t have to end when class ends.
4. Help Them Live Their Faith at School
Your child may not be sitting in religion class during the regular school day, but there are still countless opportunities to live their faith.
Faith can look like:
Including someone who is sitting alone.
Being honest when telling the truth is difficult.
Helping another student.
Showing patience.
Apologizing.
Forgiving.
Standing up for someone being treated poorly.
Thanking a teacher.
Being a good friend.
Trying again after making a mistake.
Children need to know that faith isn’t only something we learn about.
It’s something we live.
A simple question at the end of the day can help:
“How did you show God’s love to someone today?”
Some days they’ll have an answer immediately.
Other days they won’t.
That’s okay too.
You’re planting a seed.
5. Bring Faith Into Your Family’s School Routine
Faith doesn’t need to become another complicated item on an already overflowing family checklist.
Keep it simple.
Maybe your family chooses one small practice:
Morning: Say a short prayer before everyone leaves.
After school: Thank God for one good thing that happened.
Homework time: Ask God for patience and focus before beginning.
Dinner: Let each family member share something they’re grateful for.
Bedtime: Pray together and talk about anything your child is worried about.
Sunday: Attend Mass together and talk afterward about one thing everyone remembers.
These tiny moments matter.
A child’s understanding of faith isn’t built only through formal lessons.
It’s also built through ordinary family life.
A Simple Back-to-School Prayer for Children
You can pray this together before school, at bedtime, or at the beginning of Religious Education:
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for a new school year and another year to learn and grow.
Help me have a kind heart, listen carefully, ask questions, and do my best.
Give me courage when I am afraid and patience when something feels hard.
Help me be a good friend and treat others with kindness.
Bless my teachers, catechists, classmates, and family.
Help me remember that You are with me at school, at church, at home, and wherever I go.
Mary, our Mother, pray for me.
Amen.
Bonus: Free 3-Page Catholic Back-to-School Printable
To help families put some of these ideas into practice, I created a free 3-page Catholic back-to-school printable.
It’s not meant to add more “schoolwork” to your child’s day.
Instead, use it as a conversation starter.
The three pages help children think about:
My Faith Goal This Year — How would I like to grow closer to Jesus?
My Faith in Action — What are some simple ways I can practice my faith throughout the year?
A New School Year Prayer — A prayer your child can return to as the year begins.
[Download the FREE 3-Page Catholic Back-to-School Printable →]
You could keep the pages in your child’s binder, place them near a homework area, hang one in their bedroom, or complete them together before Religious Education begins.
Faith Is One School Supply They Won’t Outgrow
We can buy the notebooks.
We can label the folders.
We can organize the backpacks.
We can create the routines.
Those things help our children begin the year prepared.
But let’s also send them into the new school year knowing something much bigger:
They are loved.
They can pray when they’re worried.
They can turn to Scripture when they need encouragement.
They can live their faith through the way they treat other people.
And wherever this school year takes them, God goes with them.
So as you prepare the backpacks and school supplies this year, take a few moments to prepare something else, too.
Their hearts. ❤️
School supplies prepare them for class. Faith prepares their heart.
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