No matter how happy and confident your child, almost all children experience some form of the ‘back to school butterflies’. Whether they creep in on the first morning back, or build for weeks over the summer holidays, it’s important for parents to be prepared to ease their child’s anxieties about returning to school. A great way to do this is through reading – books can offer insights, reassurance and humor, to help your kid feel less nervous about the end of the summer vacation. Check out these recommendations of books that can support your child with their back to school nerves.
“Dear Teacher” by Amy Husband
While this book doesn’t focus on back to school nerves, it does serve up plenty of humor. The main character is writing his teacher a series of letters, explaining why he will be late for the first day back at school. Your child is sure to laugh at the outlandish and hilarious reasons for his tardiness, but it’s also a great way to remind kids that teachers also have a sense of humor and are, in general, kind and understanding.
“In Our Classroom” by Diana Schuda
This text is a great way to reduce your child’s fears about looking different in front of their peers. It discusses the different ways in which children play, learn and interact together, with a focus on diversity and tolerance. It’s a great text to choose if your child is particularly worried about reestablishing friendships with their peers.
“I Don’t Want To Go To School!” by Lula Bell
In this simple yet effective picture book, Mouse and Dinosaur do not want to go to school. Their parents spend a long time trying to convince them that they will enjoy it once they get there, but both Mouse and Dinosaur are full of first day nerves. However, once they arrive at school they quickly realize how fun the school day can be! A great choice for younger children struggling with those back to school nerves.