Healthy Kids • YMCA Child Care
6 books to help prepare your child for preschool or kindergarten
02 August 2016 - by Cheryl - YMCA Child Care
Starting school can be an exciting and frightening time for young children. Reading books about school life can help ease their anxieties and kick-start the discussion about all the fun that’s ahead of them.
Whether you have a toddler heading to preschool for the first time or a child starting kindergarten in September, these books will help you prepare them for the upcoming transition and answer questions about their big day.
Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney
Llama Llama’s mama helps him get ready for his first day of school. Everything is going great as they meet his new teachers and classmates. Llama Llama likes all the new books and games he sees, but after his mama leaves, things get a little scary. Llama Llama Misses Mama is helpful for those who want to start the conversation about separation anxiety in a way that children can understand.
Rosie Goes to Preschool by Karen Katz
Preschooler Rosie gives readers a tour of her classroom and shares some insight and tips on what to expect at school. Katz’s signature illustrations and Rosie’s upbeat and reassuring voice make it easy for toddlers and preschoolers to relate to.
Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes
Wemberly worries about everything. She worries about her house, her birthday party, and having enough cake. When she has to start school, Wemberly is very worried. Thankfully, she meets another mouse at school who is just like her. With help from her new friend, Wemberly learns how to forget about her worries and have fun at school.
Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate
While children are at home getting ready for their first day at school, Miss Bindergarten is busy in the classroom preparing for her 26 new students — animals whose names each start with a different letter of the alphabet. Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten is great for practicing the alphabet, and the rhyming text make it an engaging story for young children.
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
Chester is scared about starting school — it’s in the forest and he has to go at night. Chester’s mom shares a secret called the Kissing Hand that will help him any time he feels anxious or scared. This heartwarming book is helpful for those with children who are stressed about being away from home or loved ones.
I Am Absolutely Too Small for School by Lauren Child
Lola thinks school is unnecessary. After all, she can already count to ten. And why do you need to learn to write when you can call people instead? Lola’s brother, Charlie, must convince his little sister that school is a worthwhile pursuit. This book addresses some of the worries children might have about entering a new environment in a lighthearted and humorous way.
Learn more about YMCA’s Child Care program for infants, toddlers and preschoolers and YMCA’s Before and After School program for kindergarten students.
Have a book that helped your child prepare for school? Share this post via the links below and let us know — we’d love to hear about it!
Whether you have a toddler heading to preschool for the first time or a child starting kindergarten in September, these books will help you prepare them for the upcoming transition and answer questions about their big day.
Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney
Llama Llama’s mama helps him get ready for his first day of school. Everything is going great as they meet his new teachers and classmates. Llama Llama likes all the new books and games he sees, but after his mama leaves, things get a little scary. Llama Llama Misses Mama is helpful for those who want to start the conversation about separation anxiety in a way that children can understand.
Rosie Goes to Preschool by Karen Katz
Preschooler Rosie gives readers a tour of her classroom and shares some insight and tips on what to expect at school. Katz’s signature illustrations and Rosie’s upbeat and reassuring voice make it easy for toddlers and preschoolers to relate to.
Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes
Wemberly worries about everything. She worries about her house, her birthday party, and having enough cake. When she has to start school, Wemberly is very worried. Thankfully, she meets another mouse at school who is just like her. With help from her new friend, Wemberly learns how to forget about her worries and have fun at school.
Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate
While children are at home getting ready for their first day at school, Miss Bindergarten is busy in the classroom preparing for her 26 new students — animals whose names each start with a different letter of the alphabet. Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten is great for practicing the alphabet, and the rhyming text make it an engaging story for young children.
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
Chester is scared about starting school — it’s in the forest and he has to go at night. Chester’s mom shares a secret called the Kissing Hand that will help him any time he feels anxious or scared. This heartwarming book is helpful for those with children who are stressed about being away from home or loved ones.
I Am Absolutely Too Small for School by Lauren Child
Lola thinks school is unnecessary. After all, she can already count to ten. And why do you need to learn to write when you can call people instead? Lola’s brother, Charlie, must convince his little sister that school is a worthwhile pursuit. This book addresses some of the worries children might have about entering a new environment in a lighthearted and humorous way.
Learn more about YMCA’s Child Care program for infants, toddlers and preschoolers and YMCA’s Before and After School program for kindergarten students.
Have a book that helped your child prepare for school? Share this post via the links below and let us know — we’d love to hear about it!
