Adventure Annie Goes to Kindergarten
Annie approaches kindergarten with a special kind of confidence that may rub off on your child after reading this book. Instead of trepidation, Annie is full of spirit and finds adventure around every corner, especially in her kindergarten classroom. Sometimes her behavior gets her into a little trouble, but she saves the day when she rescues some classmates who get lost in the hallway.
Best Books about the First Day of Kindergarten
Chances are your child has some experience going to preschool prior to starting kindergarten. Certainly it was a good stepping stepping stone that gave your child a taste of independence and a strong start academically.
There is something pretty special- notably different- about starting kindergarten. Maybe it's a first-time full-day school experience or riding the school bus. Perhaps it's the bustling hallways filled with kids up through the fifth grade. Reading children's first day of school books is the best way to prepare a little one who is feeling a bit jittery.
Reading children's books about the first day of kindergarten is one of the best ways to prepare your child for this big day. Don't forget to read kids' books about school buses so first time bus riders know what to expect.
Read Kids' First Day of Kindergarten Books to Ease the Jitters
Kids are all over the map in terms of their readiness to start kindergarten. Emotional maturity, academic readiness, social skills, separation anxiety, and all kinds of other things affect the level of success they have on their first day of school. Kindergarteners will naturally feel nervous about making new friends and perhaps even encountering a mean kid. Grab some of the best kids books about bullying that give your child the tools to recognize warning signs and what to do about it.
We encourage you to read a variety of books about the first day of kindergarten to help your child mentally prepare for this milestone. For younger siblings, consider reading first day of preschool books that cover all the fun learning activities that happen in the classroom.
The Night Before Kindergarten
A must-read for any child with a case of the pre-kindergarten jitters. This fun book captures all the nervous energy and excitement that often keeps kids up the night before their first day of school. Lots of kindergarten activities are covered, from gathering school supplies to saying goodbye to parents, all set to the Night Before Christmas poem.
On the First Day of Kindergarten
A fun, cumulative read-aloud that highlights all the exciting parts of kindergarten like riding the school bus and making new friends on the playground. This charming book touches upon the sad feelings when a child says goodbye to mom and dad. But these feelings are soon replaced by all the wonderful things waiting for them at school.
Kindergarten, Here I Come!
If you buy just one book for the first day of kindergarten, make it this title! Rather than reading like a story, it's a collection of adorable poems each covering an important event, ritual or milestone that occurs during the kindergarten year. A bonus page of stickers is some added fun.
Jumping into Kindergarten
Here is a great kindergarten book that takes a more skills-based look at what your child can expect to accomplish their first year of school. Children are implored to ask a lot of questions and apply what they learn to everything they do.
Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!
Children will relate to Henry's unbridled enthusiasm for kindergarten that stalls out when the day finally arrives. His excitement is replaced with apprehension. A gentle, reassuring book especially for kids feeling a bit jittery.
Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten
All 26 students (one for each letter of the alphabet) are gearing up for their first day of kindergarten. Meanwhile, Miss Bindergarten is bustling around getting the classroom ready in preparation for her new students. Rhyming story with engaging illustrations will get your child excited about starting school.
Clifford Goes to Kindergarten
It's pretty customary for kids to bring something comforting with them to kindergarten. Emily Elizabeth's idea, while somewhat disruptive, brings quite a bit of laughter to her classroom. Join Clifford the Big Red Dog on his visit to a very special kindergarten class.
The King of Kindergarten
A confident little boy, boosted by the support of his loving mother, moves through his first day of kindergarten with excitement and enthusiasm. For jittery kids, this may be just the right book. Nothing goes wrong, there is not a thing to fear....it's all fun, friendship, and happiness on this very big day.
Amanda Panda Quits Kindergarten
Well, sometimes the first day of kindergarten doesn't live up to your expectations. That's exactly what happens to Amanda Panda. She gets so exasperated, especially by an annoying classmate, she decides to skip right on up to second grade with her brother. With the help of a friend, Amanda eventually learns to cope with her challenges. A humorous look at what happens when things don't go according to a kindergartener's plan.
Monkey: Not Ready for Kindergarten
Awe...poor Monkey is full of questions and a has a case of the jitters. He worries about making friends, getting on the wrong bus, disliking his snack and a myriad of other things that could ruin his first day of kindergarten. With the support and reassurance from his family, he musters up the courage to get through his first day.
How to Be Kind in Kindergarten
A darling little book filled with poems centered around kindness. Every page features a unique poem with a hint or two about sharing, helping, including, and being a good friend to others. The illustrations capture the sweet connection between schoolmates who are kind to each other all year long.
Kindergarten Rocks!
Starting kindergarten is so much easier when you have a big sister in third grade to lead the way. Dexter is excited to embark on this new journey, but like most other kids new to kindergarten, he has a lot of questions. With his sister's help and his stuffed dog tucked safely in his backpack, Dexter is ready to face his first day of school.
Planet Kindergarten
Kids will be ready to blast off into the whole new world of kindergarten after reading this book. Lots of action and excitement packed into this space-themed picture book that elevates the first day of school to another stratosphere. Perfect for little space enthusiasts who need to shake off some first day of school jitters.
MJ is ready to start her first day of kindergarten. Thanks to the love and support of her family, she has the confidence she needs to thrive at school. MJ proudly wears her mother's special tiara to symbolize her strength, kindness, and mad soccer skills! She is ready to make some new friends and learn exciting new things with all of her friends.
Mom, It's My First Day of Kindergarten!
An excited little boy realizes that his mother needs some comforting. He is ready to go to "big kid" school, but his anxious mother is filled with worry and doubt. An a humorous reversal of roles, he provides her with needed reassurance that everything is going to be just fine!
1, 2, 3, Off to School!
There are so many fun details to explore in this book about all kinds of critters at kindergarten. Pom, who is getting ready for her first day, visits all of her forest friends to see what they do in school. The froggies are making artwork, the wolf pups are reading books, and the sloths are taking a nap, of course! Kids will discover something new every time they read this story, including some surprise appearances by fairytale characters.
Teaching Mrs. Muddle
A very clever story about a wise teacher, Mrs. Muddle, who has quite an unusual style of instruction. When she greets a classroom of nervous kindergarteners for their first day, they are taken aback by her quirky mannerisms and confused state of mind. She makes one mistake after another, like mixing up nametags and leading kids to the wrong part of the building. Soon enough, the kids realize they need to take charge of the situation. And in this silly reversal of roles, the students do the teaching and end up learning more than they could have imagined.
Mary Had a Little Lizard
A fun, wordless picture book about a lizard who wreaks havoc in a kindergarten classroom. The little guy slips into Mary's backpack one day. When they arrive at school, the lizard cannot believe all the excitement. He nibbles on someone's lunch, makes a huge mess in the paint area, and even gives the teacher a big scare. Find out what happens when this troublemaker is sent to the principal's office. This creative twist on the classic rhyming song, Mary Had a Little Lamb, offers up some fun entertainment.
Kindergarten Hat
Carlos has a lot of hobbies and interests. He loves to play soccer, build forts, and work in his garden. But when he moves to a new town just in time to start kindergarten, he is not so sure about himself anymore. All the normal insecurities plague him. What if the other kids don't like him? Will he be able to find his teacher? Fortunately, a special lady wearing the most unusual hat greets Carlos and his classmates with open arms. He quickly feels at home and enjoys his first day of kindergarten.
Countdown to Kindergarten
An anxious little girl about to start kindergarten gets some bad advice from a first grader. This older child share some important rules, like you cannot bring your pet to class. But there is one tidbit shared that does not make her feel better. Apparently you are not allowed to ask anyone for help in kindergarten. So if you are the one kid who cannot tie a shoe, what do you do when your laces are untied? As the girl counts down until her first day, she is filled with trepidation. This sweet book reassures readers that there is no reason to be afraid.
KINDergarten: Where Kindness Matters Every Day
Every kindergarten teacher should follow Ms. Perry's lead by instituting a kindness pledge in the classroom. The inspiring teacher in this story sent a letter to all of her prospective classmates and asked them to think about kindness before starting kindergarten. Throughout each day, she asks the children to give examples of kind acts they witnessed by other students. All of the students, including an especially shy boy named Leo, became actively demonstrated kindness toward others. A highly recommended book for kids getting ready for their very first day of kindergarten.
I'm Going to Kindergarten!
A bouncy Little Golden Book follows a confident, happy girl on her first day of kindergarten. The bright illustrations capture the essence of a classroom that is filled with opportunities to learn and explore. The little students learn about the importance of raising their hands and keeping their energy in check! A great addition to your list of back to school books for five year olds.
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Why Read Children's First Day of Kindergarten Books
Whether your child is nervous or excited, outgoing or shy, confident or timid, reading books about the first day of kindergarten will set them up for having a great start. All of their feelings will be validated by the characters in these books.
All of the questions about what they can expect will be answered. And all of these major milestones will be celebrated throughout the pages of these humorous, reassuring, and informative picture books about kindergarten. And before you know it, the first year will coming to a close and it will be time to read your children books about kindergarten graduation.
Tips to Prepare a Child (Plus Mom and Dad) for the First Day of Kindergarten
Starting kindergarten is an important milestone in a child's life. It is natural for parents to feel almost as jittery as their kids on the very first day. A few tears may even sneak up on mom and dad as they wave goodbye to their little one leaving the nest. Parents will worry about whether they have done enough to prepare their children to succeed and wonder if there is anything they have forgotten. Take a deep breath and review some of these tips that will help you and your child survive this big day.
Tip #1: Attend all the orientation activities sponsored by the school.
Many times elementary schools will hold open houses for kindergarten students to come and meet their teachers and explore their classrooms. This is a great pre-first-day-of-kindergarten opportunity to find some familiar faces and make a few new friends. Kids will feel a warm welcome when they see a desk and locker with their name on it. They may even be able to bring their crayons, pencils, and other school supplies to set up at their stations.
Tip #2: Tuck a little love note in your child's backpack.
Jot down a little something special that your child can read during the school day. Whenever something goes wrong, there is a hurdle to overcome, or your little one feels a little lonely, this note from you will help them feel better.
Tip #3: Meet up with other children attending kindergarten.
Reach out to parents of other kindergarten students and invite their children over for a little playtime before the first day of school. Making some new friends ahead of time will give your child a boost of confidence. Sometimes it's best just to give them space to get to know each other, so no need to plan or schedule an outing. A backyard, basement or playroom are all good environments for them to get to know each other.
Tip #4: Don't let your child see that you are anxious.
It is perfectly natural for you to feel nervous about your child's first day of kindergarten. We all want our kids to have a positive experience at school. Parents who are prone to worrying may be flooded with thoughts of everything that could go wrong. Try to maintain a calm, cool, and collected exterior no matter what you are feeling inside. Your children will feed off of your emotions, so a relaxed disposition is what you need to show them.
Tip #5: Visit the playground at the elementary school.
During the summer before your child start's kindergarten, plan some time to explore the outside property of the school. Pack a picnic lunch and find a good spot to eat it, perhaps on a bench or under a tree. Encourage your child to play on the swings, go down the sliding board, and enjoy the other playground attractions. Becoming familiar with the outdoor areas will help children feel more at ease on the first day of kindergarten.
Best Kindergarten Workbooks
Prior to starting school, children should have some fundamental reading, writing, and math skills. Practicing ahead of time will give your child a boost of confidence before the first day of school. Here are some excellent workbooks for kindergarten to get your child started:
Facts About Kindergarten to Keep in Mind All School Year
Lots of fortunate kids have the opportunity to develop school skills before they walk through the threshold of their kindergarten classroom. Daycare, preschool, and even informal playgroups are all great opportunities for kids to socialize, learn to share, and even practice their ABCs. All of these experiences are fantastic building blocks for when children are ready to start real school- kindergarten! So as you are busy shopping for lunch boxes, school supplies, and new shoes, here are some mind-blowing facts to share with your little ones about this next chapter.
- National Kindergarten Day is an actual holiday! April 21st, the birthday of German educator Friedrich Fröbel, is the day to celebrate. In 1837, the trailblazing teacher established the very first activity and play institute, and named it Kindergarten!
- The name Kindergarten is simply beautiful, though you may not have ever thought about what it means. In German, "kinder" means children and "garten" is garden in English. So, the definition of this term is "garden of children". Perhaps this is why so many people incorrectly (and subconsciously) mispell the word as "kindergarden"!
- The very first Kindgarten in the US opened in 1856. Margaretha Meyer-Schurz opened the school's doors in Watertown, Wisconsin where she instructed the entire school day in German.
- Approximately 3.5 million children in the United States attend kindergarten every year. 45 states are required to provide a kindergarten program and 11 of these states mandate that districts offer full-day instruction.
- Most states require that children are 5 when they start kindergarten. Keep in mind that classes will have a mix of kids just turned 5 and others who are almost 6. Also, some parents hold their children back a year, so they may even turn 7 during their kindergarten year. As a result, expect your child's classmates to be a diverse group in terms of academic, emotional, and biological maturity.