Whether a child is starting school for the first time or returning after the summer break, even confident kids that are excited about school can feel some anxiety. Here are some tips/products to help ease the transition:

TIP: Read books about going to school for the first time or separating from Mom and Dad in the weeks leading up to the big day. Hearing that the characters also felt worried can make your child more comfortable, and of course, happy endings offer assurances that theirs will be happy, too. Further, related stories can give your child the language to voice any concerns to you and there are often key phrases that parents can use to reassure their children.

Great Back to School/First time at school book: “I Love You All Day Long” by Francesca Rusackas ($6.99) This is a wonderful book about a young pig named Owen who realizes that when he goes to school his mommy won’t be with him. She reminds him that through all of his activities and challenges during his day, she loves him all day long. This is a great phrase to use in the days leading up to   school and on the big day. As a teacher, I would ease rocky drop offs by reminding kids that “Mommies always come back.”

TIP: Create excitement about getting supplies together for school; Involve your child in selecting some of the items they’ll take to school each day like a lunchbox, backpack, sleep mat, etc.

Toddler sleep set for school: The Little Giraffe NapSack has it’s own toddler-sized easy-carry backpack and includes an ultra-soft, cozy sleeping pad and chenille satin pillow.  It’s machine washable and will fit into a child’s cubby at school- both very important qualities!   ($90)

Preschooler/Youth sleeping bag: The North Face “Great Smoky” is sized for little guys and is a 20 degree bag which means it can be used in temps down to 20 degrees.  It’s a “three season” bag, though, so would be great for the classroom, especially if kids sleep directly on the floor rather than on cots, as some do. (Ask your teacher or Director.) ($79)

Personalized lunchbox: Yubo makes great, eco-friendly bento-style lunchboxes that are customizable.  You can select a design they love or send photos in to make your own faceplate for the box.  Selecting the photos could be a fun activity to do together in preparation for school and then, of course, your child will get a chance to “see” you each day at lunchtime. www.getyubo.com ($29.95)  See our personalized lunch box for my two year old about to start school for the first time below!

TIP: Countdown to the big day!  Look at a calendar together or for younger kids, make a chain (with strips of construction paper taped to form connecting circles) and remove a “link” each day so your child can visualize school getting closer and feel involved (maybe even in charge) of the countdown.

Make: Homemade/ “DIY”  Countdown Chain- A simple project with strips of construction paper and glue.

TIP: Do a walk through or trial run; go to school and tour and meet the teachers.  Take photos of each step in the process of preparing for school from waking up and brushing teeth, through to arriving at school and use them to make a poster.  Talking about this together as school gets closer will to help your child get comfortable with what will happen and make this “new reality” more tangible.  This can also be a great tool for kids who seem to “dwadle” in the ams!

Make: Homemade/ “DIY” photo to-do list poster

TIP: Introduce transitional objects- items from home that offer comfort and can ease the transition between home and school.

Great lovie: Kimochis are awesome plush toys that open lines of communication & builds confidence.  How?  They come with these cute little “feeling” pillows that have a facial expression on one side and the name of the feeling on the other.  Each plush has a pouch to tuck them in.  Great for so many situations, Kimochis, can help kids get in touch with their feelings through play, in a fun, comfortable way.   $25 each and additional packets of “feelings” can be purchased for $12 and have one blank one that your child can design himself.  www.kimochis.com

No toys from home solution: Some schools prefer no toys from home because they can get lost, etc.  There is a book that offers an invisible, but meaningful token to take from home to school:  a parent’s kiss.  In “The Kissing Hand” by Audrey Penn, the mommy raccoon plants a kiss on her son’s paw and remind him that whenever he needs it, it will be there.  ($9.30)



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