Beginning when Donnie was eight or ten, Joe and Beth visited the nearby Seventh-day Adventist college for special programs. Beth would say to him, “This is where you will come to college someday. This will be your school.” That began a love affair with Walla Walla College, which became Donnie’s alma mater for both his undergraduate and master's degrees.

Getting a child ready for college begins early and in small ways. Let’s consider what to do and what not to do to ready a child for college.

First of all, don’t give your baby a career. While you may fully desire to have your child attend and complete college, the important thing in infancy is to meet the real needs of your child, providing her with a consistent, loving environment. Focus on learning who this little individual is and how to nurture her in ways in which she responds best.

Well-meaning parents often push their children to learn the alphabet and count to 100 before they go to preschool. Knowing those things may be fine, but what a child really needs to be ready for school is to understand how to get along with others, how to focus on an activity, how to follow directions, and how to handle their emotions. Keep in mind that counting to 100 and knowing what one, two, or five really means is quite another thing. Understanding the concept of numbers is much more useful than counting to 100.

In elementary years, it is helpful when parents provide an environment of consistency and one that is the least stress-filled as possible. The idea that if a child gets punished at school, he gets punished at home is based on faulty reasoning. Those at school, although well-meaning, may sometimes make mistakes resulting in an unfair punishment. Home should be the place where children are safe to learn how to handle the unfair situations—the place where they know they are respected and honored. Then, they are ready to learn.

Parents have the responsibility of providing an environment where children can enhance their understanding of the world outside the school classroom. This is also an opportunity to acquaint your child with the concept of college. Explore different professional opportunities during family worship. Pray for those you know in college and pray for our educational institutions.

If your child has been educated in a church school, he will know that academy, and perhaps college, are the next steps. Providing your child with a Christian education takes commitment. That commitment sets up an expectation for continuing with Christian education.

I have known too many college students whose parents have said upon completion of academy, “You are on your own for college.” These young people know in their hearts that they should be in a Christian college, but the only way is to borrow, borrow, borrow. In my experience, many students are over-burdened by these financial concerns. It is reflected in their inability to focus, concentrate, earn the grades they desire, and enjoy college-life.

Avoid planning your child's future career while planning early how to meet your child’s educational needs throughout life. Be committed to substantially assisting your child when she’s ready for college, always praying that she will experience the joy of discovering God’s will for her life.

Susan Murray is an associate professor of behavioral science and social work at Andrews University.