You might be the kind of lucky parent who has a child who jumps in the car or rushes off the school bus anxious to tell you all about her day, and doesn’t let you leave her room at night until she unleashes even her tiniest worries. If not, you’re likely frustrated with asking your child about her day and getting little more than a shrug or a mumbled, “fine.”
Want a great tool for getting your child to share details about her day and open up about any anxieties and feelings she may have about school? Start a dialogue by reading a book together. Hearing a story about a subject she can relate to is an easy way to start talking about what happens in her own day. It’ll give you the perfect opportunity to dig a little deeper and calm any worries before they build.
Check out these fun, conversation starters that are ideal for little ones starting school for the first time:
First Day Jitters
Julie Danneberg (Author), Judith Dufour Love (Illustrator)
A fun, surprising story about the classic anxieties of going to school for the first time, and the realization that children aren’t the only ones to have butterflies in their bellies (the teacher does, too!).
Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten
Joseph Slate (Author), Ashley Wolff (Illustrator)
A colorful, well-illustrated introduction to Kindergarten with the added bonus of ABC practice.
David Goes To School
By David Shannon
David breaks all the rules at school, keeping his teacher on her toes with his eyebrow-raising shenanigans. In the end, he makes it all right and goes home with a satisfying gold star.
Chrysanthemum
By Kevin Henkes
A sweet story about a sensitive little girl who feels left out and is teased because of her long, funny name. An eccentric, loved-by-all teacher shows her the value in being different and makes her the star.
Splat the Cat: Back to School, Splat!
By Ron Scotton
Especially fun for dedicated Splat the Cat fans. Even parents think Splat is pretty darn funny.
