FamilyLife Today® Start with the Heart: Dr. Kathy Koch
Mar 6, 2026
Dr. Kathy Koch, founder of Celebrate Kids and author on child development, offers heart-centered parenting advice. She discusses celebrating children’s God-given gifts and linking purpose to competence. She covers teaching through curiosity and correction, rooting identity in God and Scripture, and practical daily rhythms for deep conversations.
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Grandson Making Coffee Shows Early Gifts
- Kathy shares watching her grandson make coffee at five and do laundry, noticing early gifts and joy.
- She uses that example to show how noticing unique gifts (protector, funny, hard worker) points to future calling.
Root Identity In God And Multiple Roles
- Do root a child's identity in God and multiple healthy roles rather than only performance.
- Kathy Koch links Ephesians 2:10 and five identities (spiritual, emotional, intellectual, social, physical) to prevent putting all worth in one area.
Purpose Drives Competence
- Competence flows from purpose, not the other way around; lack of purpose causes mediocrity.
- Kathy explains competence as character, teachability, and love that grows when a child sees purpose like serving the family.