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It’s time to strap on the thinking caps and get ready for the day-to-day grind of the school year. Many kids will be excited to get back their friends and their activities. But for some children, the first day is a stressful time. There are some books that may help alleviate some of the anxiety about going to school.
TIMOTHY GOES TO SCHOOL is a classic book by Rosemary Wells which was also a children’s television series. The book was published in 1981 but still has resonance for children entering kindergarten today. This story focuses on the experiences of Timothy who goes to the first day of school and finds that his seatmate is Mr. Perfect and not very nice to him. But Timothy finds that there are people who will be his friend and who he can have fun with without being put down. This story is great to prepare children for the possibility that all may not be perfect at school but there is always someone who will be there for them – it just may take a little while to find them.
FIRST DAY JITTERS is another book that looks at the first day of school from a slightly different angle. This story is by Julie Dannenberg and Judith Dufour Love and was published in 2000. Sarah Jane Hartwell wants to skip school on the first day because she doesn’t know anyone and it will be hard at school. Mr. Hartwell eventually gets her off to school where we find out that Sarah Jane is not a student but a teacher. Children will appreciate the fact that teachers worry about school as well and that it’s OK to be nervous on the first day of school–even if you have been to school before.
There are many other books available to prepare your child for the first day of school. A little preparation may make the first day less stressful and help set up the foundation for a great school year.
