Back to School
Updated: 1 day ago
Part 1: Preparing for a Great First Day of School
(stay tuned to the end for a “from Miss Sandra’s heart" addition! ❤️)
The Little Things That Make a Big Difference
Whether your child is starting preschool or TK for the very first time or returning for another exciting school year, the days leading up to that first morning can bring a mix of emotions—for children and parents alike.
There may be excitement about making new friends and discovering new adventures, along with a few butterflies about what to expect. Those feelings are completely normal. In fact, they are a natural part of stepping into something new.
The wonderful thing about children is that they are incredibly resilient. With a little preparation, reassurance, and consistency at home, they quickly begin to build confidence, embrace new routines, and discover that school is a place where they are safe, loved, and free to learn.
Here are a few simple ways you can help your child feel prepared, confident, and excited before that very first day.
Bring Back Familiar Routines
Children thrive on routines because routines help the world feel predictable. When children know what comes next, they don't have to spend as much energy worrying about what's happening—they're free to focus on learning, exploring, and connecting with others.
A week or two before school begins, begin easing back into your school-year rhythm. Earlier consistent bedtimes, consistent wake-up times, regular meals, and even practicing your morning routine can make that first day feel much less overwhelming. Make a “getting ready” chart for your child to cross off their own items as they complete them – pictures for each task work wonders if they can’t read yet.
Rather than everything changing overnight, your child begins thinking,
"I've done this before. I know what comes next."
That sense of familiarity builds confidence before they even walk through the classroom door.
Practice Everyday Independence
One of the greatest gifts we can give children is the opportunity to discover what they're capable of.
Invite your child to practice:
Putting on their shoes
Washing their hands
Hanging up a backpack
Opening lunch containers
Cleaning up after themselves
These small accomplishments build confidence long before they ever enter the classroom. Perhaps give them the option to choose which one(s) they want to try for themselves, to not overwhelm them. Encourage them but let them choose their rhythm. Choose a time for yourself and your schedule when you can let them take their time learning this skill, so maybe not when you’re in a hurry.
Read About School Together
Books are wonderful conversation starters, and a beautiful and natural way that help children process all kinds of emotions and situations.
Reading stories about going to school, making friends, meeting teachers, and all the ways they might play helps children picture what to expect and often gives them words for feelings they may not yet know how to express. You can talk with your child about how their school might be similar, or different, than the school in the book.
Books we love:
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn — This one is a pure classic for children feeling nervous about separating from parents and starting school. It also gives a wonderful action/connection opportunity, to leave a kiss in each other’s hand.
I Love You All Day Long by Francesca Rusackas — (we love this one!) Particularly relevant to school drop-off: a mother reassures her child that she loves him throughout the entire day, even while they're separated.
The Invisible String by Patrice Karst — A classic for separation anxiety. The invisible string represents the connection between a child and their loved ones even when they're apart.
Bye-Bye Time by Elizabeth Verdick – Good for very young children, specifically focuses on saying goodbye and the reassuring routines around separation.
Our Class Is a Family by Shannon Olsen — Focuses on creating a classroom community where children feel safe, valued, and connected.
We Are in a Book! by Mo Willems — Not specifically about starting school, but excellent for introducing a playful classroom read-aloud tradition, and a love of books!
We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins — Humorous introduction to making friends and learning classroom expectations.
Mommy Always Comes Back — Angela Ercolano — Simple story that reinforces the message that a parent leaves and then comes back.
All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold — Celebrates an inclusive school community where children from different backgrounds belong.
The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! by Mo Willems — Humor and silliness can be one way to diffuse nervous feelings…great for children who are reluctant or worried about going to school.
The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld — A beautiful book for teaching children about empathy, listening, and being there for classmates.
Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate — Follows children and their teacher preparing for the first day. This is old-school kindergarten so is appropriate for preschool too (e.g. there are lots of toys)
The Night Before Preschool by Natasha Wing — A rhyming, reassuring introduction to what preschool might be like.
Some of the best conversations happen after the last page is turned.
Build Excitement Together
Preparing for school can be just as meaningful as the first day itself.
Invite your child to be part of the excitement by choosing a backpack, decorating a lunchbox, selecting a favorite outfit, or making a special drawing or card for their teacher. These simple traditions create positive anticipation and help children feel connected to what's ahead.
When children feel included in the process, school begins to shift from something unknown to something they helped prepare for. That sense of ownership builds confidence, eases worries, and allows excitement to take the place of uncertainty.
💡Did You Know?
Children who practice everyday self-help skills at home often enter the classroom feeling more confident and independent, allowing them to spend more time exploring, learning, and building relationships.
❤️ From Miss Sandra’s Heart: Rethinking “Good Job!”
There are many ways we can encourage positive choices, habits, and behavior in children, and positive reinforcement is one of the most natural tools we have. We all love to tell a child “Good job!” when we see something wonderful. But sometimes, a little more specificity can make our encouragement even more meaningful.
Instead of only praising the finished product or outcome, try narrating the choice, effort, skill and the outcome you noticed:
“You chose to get your shoes on by yourself, and you gave yourself plenty of time to do it. You learned a new skill! …and now we have plenty of time to take our time getting to the car!”
Instead of “That picture is beautiful!” → “You worked really carefully on those lines and chose so many colors for your picture.”
Why does this matter? When we highlight what a child actually did, we help them notice the connection between their choices and the results. They begin to understand, “I did that. I made that choice. I can do it again.” And that skill can transfer to all kinds of situations.
When we praise only the outcome—“What a beautiful painting!”—we can unintentionally make the goal about recreating that particular result. And, there are many different kinds of beautiful anyway! Instead, let's shine the light on the process, the decision, the growing skill, and the specific outcome. Those are things children can practice, build upon, and carry with them wherever they go.
A little shift in our language can turn praise into something even more powerful: helping children become aware of themselves as capable, thoughtful decision-makers. 🌿
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