Starting school
Okay, you have a little one starting, or returning, to school and you are feeling emotional about the whole event and wonder how you can help your little one settle into a new environment. You can ease into the discussion by reading books and talking about the fact that they’ll be going to school soon. The books we have chosen will let them know what is going to happen when they start school, and help them feel confident about the whole experience. All the books have a bit of humor and all are beautifully illustrated.
Books we recommend are:
First Day by Andrew Daddo and Jonathan Bentley is a delightful picture book that captures the love, excitement and nerves that the mum and daughter feel when its time to start school.
Old Friends New Friends is another wonderful book by Andrew Daddo and Jonathan Bentley. This book is about a child who finds herself in a class without any of her old friends. She quickly discovers the possibilities that are in front of her to make new friends in her classroom and still have her old friends in the playground.
My Friend Ernest by Emma Allen is about Oscar who starts school with great trepidation. However, Oscar the brave soon appears and makes friends with a friendly dragon called Ernest.
Pearl Goes to Preschool by Julie Fortenberry is about a little girl called Pearl who goes to ballet school. But Pearl is nervous about starting preschool. She soon overcomes her nerves when she makes a friend and learns that she can dance with her friends at preschool too.
Getting well-prepared a few days in advance can make easing back into the normal school routine a lot less overwhelming for both parents and children.