The clock is ticking, summer is over, and back to school is just around the corner! It’s likely that sentence either fills you with excitement or dread. If you’re a new parent, you’ve probably anticipated this all summer. Wondering how you’ll cope with your little one being so far away for the first time. Did you pick a safe school? Will your child be too nervous to go? If you’re seeking answers to those questions, there’re a multitude of children and parenting books solely dedicated to helping with your child’s possible separation anxiety as well as offering a variety of methods to aid you in making the transition from constantly having your child at home to them being away for hours at a time. So, read on to discover our wonderful selection of books for both parent and child and how to tackle this school year!
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn is a heartwarming one and remains a popular pick amongst kindergarten teachers. The touching picture book narrates the tale of a young raccoon who is nervous about his first day of school. To comfort the young racoon, the mother raccoon shares with him a special family tradition. She gently kisses his paw to help reassure her son, further soothing him by telling him to press that paw to his cheek whenever he misses her. Reading this book to your younger children can help ease that anxiety of going to school so soon and the fear of being alone. Penn helps showcase that even when apart, parent and child can still feel connected, which helps your child feel more confident about this new experience of being away from home.
First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg
A truly classic children’s story by Julie Danneberg that you may have heard of before. Little Sarah Jane Hartwell refuses to get out of bed and go to school. She is petrified at the idea of going to a place all alone and being surrounded by people she doesn’t know and who don’t know her. After a while, her father manages to convince her to head to class anyhow, to her dismay. However, she is quick to be proven wrong and makes friends incredibly quickly. At the end of it all, Sarah learns a valuable lesson —everyone gets a little jittery sometimes. This normalization of nervousness and anxiety can help both the child and parent alike feel a sense of comfort.
The Night Before Kindergarten by Natasha Wing
Part of author Natasha Wing’s The Night Before series, this touching book is aimed at exciting children about their first day of school by familiarizing them with what to expect. It has an engaging rhyme scheme that captures the children’s attention. The ending of it may also help soothe the adult’s worries by demonstrating how kindergarten can be a fun and safe place for your children. Furthermore, this picture book helps serve as a supporting tool for the whole family as they navigate the important milestone together.
The Starting School Book: How to Choose, Prepare for and Settle Your Child at School by Sarah Ockwell-Smith
The Starting School Book is not a children’s book this time, but rather a self-help book geared toward newer parents. This parenting manual serves as an accommodating guide for those whose children are about to start school. Author Sarah Ockwell-Smith is well-versed in the world of parenting books, and so her advice can help assist you with any worries you may have about this upcoming school year, including how to help smooth the transition from having kids at home each day to sharing their time at school without any bumps.
Don’t Forget Your Sunglasses: A Parent’s Survival Guide to Kindergarten by Dr Kathleen Molnar Benyo
Dr. Benyo’s guide is much broader in comparison, as her book is much more practical. With clear and concise suggestions, Dr. Benyo focuses less on reassurance and more on the specific concerns one might have. Her experience as a teacher at an elementary school, a former principal, and a college professor helps highlight her credibility in this subject. While easing anxiety is very important, perhaps it might also ease the mind by focusing on other concrete specifics, as well, such as ideas on how to talk to a teacher, details on how the day will plan out, and other helpful tips.
So, whether you’re a kid who’s entering their first day or a jittery parent not ready to see your little one go off for the first time, don’t panic. School isn’t here just yet; there’s still plenty of time left to prepare for this milestone. But when that time comes, it can be helpful to remember that the first day of school is a thrilling turning point for a child — and parent — after all!
Looking for school supplies? Read here to find out more!
Find these books and more on our Back-to-School Recommendations for All Ages bookshelf on Bookshop.org.
