Best back to school anxiety books for kids nervous to start preschool or kindergarten
As the summer days move closer to the first day of school, parents and guardians can prepare their young children for the transition back to school with the six books to ease back-to-school anxiety in young children. The apprehension and nervousness associated with starting preschool, kindergarten, or daycare can be overwhelming for children and parents alike. However, one effective way to ease these jitters is through engaging and comforting storybooks. In this article, we present a curated list of five exceptional books that can help children conquer their back-to-school anxiety while fostering a positive mindset for their educational journey.
1. "The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn
"The Kissing Hand" is a heartwarming tale that reassures young children about their parent's love and support during their time away from home. This touching story follows Chester Raccoon, who faces separation anxiety on his first day of school. With the help of his mother, he discovers a special secret—a kiss in the palm of his hand—that can bring comfort and strength whenever he needs a reminder of his family's love.
2. "Llama Llama Misses Mama" by Anna Dewdney
In this beloved series, Anna Dewdney introduces Llama Llama and his adventures. In "Llama Llama Misses Mama," Llama Llama experiences separation anxiety on his first day of preschool. Through colorful illustrations and relatable storytelling, this book validates the emotions children may feel when starting school and shows them that it's completely normal to miss their parents. Llama Llama gradually finds solace in engaging activities and new friendships, reminding young readers that school can be an enjoyable place to learn, grow, and have fun.
3. "Wemberly Worried" by Kevin Henkes
"Wemberly Worried" tackles the anxieties and fretfulness that many children face at school. This endearing story follows a little mouse named Wemberly, who constantly worries about everything, including her first day at school. Kevin Henkes ingeniously weaves Wemberly's journey of finding solace through friendship and realizing that not all worries come true. This book eloquently teaches children the importance of expressing their fears while comforting them with the underlying message that school can be a place of happiness and discovery.
4. "First Day Jitters" by Julie Danneberg
"First Day Jitters" is a delightful and relatable story that captures the nervousness and excitement of starting a new school. Through the endearing character of Sarah, readers of all ages can empathize with the fear of the unknown and the importance of overcoming it. This heartwarming tale not only teaches children about resilience and bravery but also reinforces the idea that everyone feels apprehensive sometimes, making it a perfect read for anyone facing a new beginning.
5. "Fear is a Volcano" by Lauren Martin
As a parent or caregiver, if you have a child who experiences anxiety or nervousness in an situation or specifically about going to school, "Fear is a Volcano" can be an invaluable tool to ease anxiety in an anxious child, teen or adult. This beautifully written and illustrated book not only addresses the common fears children may have about attending school but also provides valuable insights and coping mechanisms for any anxiety trigger including irrational or generalized anxiety for those with anxiety disorders. By introducing calming techniques, mindfulness exercises, positive visualization and self-talk, this book equips children with practical tools to navigate their fears independently. Instilling these coping skills at an early age can foster resilience and self-reliance throughout their academic, social and life journey.
6. "Insecurity is a Seed" by Lauren Martin
This book, along with all six books in Lauren Martin’s “Emotion Series” on fear, jealousy, anger, sadness, disappointment and insecurity, validate and normalize emotions and building resilience and coping skills. “Insecurity is a Seed” is another relevant book in Lauren Martin’s series if your child’s insecurity arises from social anxieties about bullying, social exclusion, doing well in school, getting good grades, being good or fitting in. “Insecurity is a Seed” is the best children's book to help kids and adults transform insecurity, embarrassment and inadequacy into confidence, self-esteem, assertiveness and growth mindset.
“Insecurity is a Seed” is perfect for preschool, elementary school, middle school or even high school students who struggle with identity and belonging, social isolation, exclusion, bullying, teasing, insecurity, embarrassment, perfectionism, performance anxiety or inadequacy.
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Remember, starting school may be a daunting experience, but with the power of literature, every child can find the strength to embrace this new adventure and thrive in the classroom. Providing children who are nervous about starting school with the right books can go a long way in easing their anxiety and helping them navigate this exciting new chapter in their lives. Whether it's the relatable characters, the inspiring stories, or the valuable life lessons, these back to school anxiety books - Wemberly Worried, Fear is a Volcano, Insecurity is a Seed, Liam Llama Misses Mama, First Day Jitter and The Kissing Hand - can empower children, boost their confidence, and make them feel less alone in their fears before the first day of preschool, kindergarten, daycare or any day of the year.