The month of August is full of emotional changes as the summer wraps up and families look towards the beginning of a new school year. For many children, this is a time of great excitement worth celebrating. They are meeting new teachers, seeing friends again, and trying different activities. But for others, the anxiety of back-to-school can be quite debilitating. I’ve learned, with three kids finally all in school, that there is a wide range of emotions to handle when school begins. Sometimes the back to school “big feelings” start well in advance of the first day, and sometimes these emotions come roaring in several weeks into the academic year. The weight of back to school worries is something we have learned to approach thoughtfully.
Dealing With Transition
With my youngest starting PK at a new school, and my eldest making the big leap to middle school, we are anticipating an array of emotions this fall with these transitions. One of the best ways I have found to connect with my kids is through books!
Below are a few books our family has found very helpful when gearing up for the new school year and preparing our children for the months ahead. These are best for the preschool through early elementary aged kids (3-7 years old).
1. Wemberly Worried
Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes is a great story for young readers. Follow along with little mouse Wemberly as she starts school, makes a friend, and learns to overcome her constant worries. A family member who is a child psychologist first bought us this book, and we are so thankful to have it in our home library. While the narrative focuses on starting school, the lessons can certainly apply to any new situation your child may find him/herself experiencing.
2. The Kissing Hand
This is our favorite book for addressing general separation and back to school worries. It includes a sweet tradition we carry on for the first few weeks of school (and every other time the school worries creep up). In this story, author Audrey Penn tells the story of Chester Raccoon. Chester is starting school and filled with tremendous fear at the prospect of spending so much time away from home. Mrs. Raccoon helps to combat his fears by sharing the secret of the kissing hand. It is a tender story whose lesson is sure to stay with your children long beyond the first day of school! As a special bonus, stickers are included with the story so that you can practice “the kissing hand” with your own little ones.
3. The Invisible String
The Invisible String by Patrice Karst tells about two young siblings who find reasons to worry about separation. It’s a great conversation starter about how we’re never really far from those we love, even when we feel like it. Children learn that no matter where we are, we are always connected to our loved ones by a giant invisible string. This is also a very poignant story to use for children dealing with more serious issues of separation, including deployed military family members or those grieving the loss of a loved one. If your child’s back to school worries stem from fear of being away from loved ones, definitely give The Invisible String a read!
4. Llama Llama Misses Mama
Llama Llama Misses Mama is another classic by Anna Dewdney and perfect for the youngest kiddos (Pre-k and K). We read this nearly every night for weeks when my second daughter was beginning school for the first time back in 2018. It’s a great little story for those familiar with Llama Llama. Short and sweet, this rhyming story reinforces that Mama (or other caregiver) will always come back.
5. I Can Do Hard Things: Mindful Affirmations For Kids
This book, geared towards middle and upper elementary grades, helps kids find the language to express how they are feeling, and then reinforce their confidence through affirmations. Written by Gabi Garcia (and also available in Spanish), I Can Do Hard Things can be a great addition to your family’s library, not just for back to school season! Though older kids may find this book to be too “young”, the messaging and affirmations can absolutely resonate with students of any age!
6. Breathe Like A Bear: First Day of School Worries
I love Breathe Like A Bear as it gives kids a chance to face their back to school worries with action! Geared for the younger ages, this book provides breathing exercises and mantras to help soothe children and put them into a more positive mental state before school. These are powerful tools to incorporate into your parenting toolbox that you can return to whenever general worries or anxiety may strike.
7. First Day Jitters
The unexpected ending of this book absolutely makes it! Julie Danneberg’s First Day Jitters is an entertaining story that shows kids that back to school worries are shared by adults and children alike. This book is best for kids ages kindergarten to third grade (although older kids may very well enjoy the tale, too).
Fellow parents, tell us in the comments: how do you help your child with any back to school worries?
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