We have a guest post today; BookTrust CEO Diana Gerald explains why regular reading and sharing stories help children prepare for school life and ease them in, especially in the early years. We’ve also got 15+ great books about starting school too, to help them even more!
By now, the holidays will seem an all too distant memory, as parents turn their thoughts to how to properly prepare young children for what lies ahead. Starting school for the first time is a massive milestone for small children and their parents. Making friends (will they?), finding their pegs and starting a new adventure away from you. Whilst this is all incredibly exciting, it can also be a daunting experience. It’s a time of transition as they get used to new routines, people and surroundings, so it’s crucial they feel properly prepared for this journey.
Books illustrating what their experience may be like can help to reassure children and can help them to overcome their worries and fears about embarking on this new educational adventure. Stories about starting school that paint a picture of the experience are a fantastic way to enable young children to familiarise themselves with the environment, and ease them into the early years.
At Booktrust, we’re dedicated to getting children reading because reading makes such an enormous difference. We know from evidence that regular reading has lasting impact- children who are read to start school with better language and literacy skills, including a larger vocabulary and more advanced comprehension skills. But more than that they are happier, healthier and more socially, culturally and emotionally prepared for life. In fact, studies have suggested that reading enjoyment is more important for a child’s educational success than their family’s financial or social status.
Reading with children before they start school will really give them the best chance of success and confidence in the classroom. So, as you pack that pencil case make sure to pack a few books in the backpack.
We’ve put together a useful booklist that is certain to help banish any back to school blues. Children can learn why much-loved Lola thinks she is absolutely too small for school in Lauren Child’s I am Too Absolutely Small for School (Hachette). Or read about how excited Hugless Douglas is to join the walking bus on his first day and how helpful and huggable he is in Hugless Douglas Goes to School by David Melling (Hodder Children’s Books)
15+ books for starting school to help your child settle in!
My First Day
Leilani Sparrow, illustrated by Dan Taylor. Boxer Books
Interest age: 3-5 Reading age: 4-6
Never Take a Bear to School
Mark Sperring, illustrated by Britta Teckentrup. Orchard Books
Interest age: 3-6 Reading age: 5-7
Twit Twoo School: Mouse’s Big Day
Lydia Monks. Macmillan.
Interest age: 3-6 Reading age: 5-6
First Day at Skeleton School
Sam Lloyd. Bloomsbury
Interest age: 3-6 Reading age: 5-6
I am Too Absolutely Small for School
Lauren Child. Hachette
Interest age: 3+ Reading age: 6+
Alfie and the Big Boys
Shirley Hughes. Random House
Interest age: 3 – 8 Reading age: 6+
Harry and the Dinosaurs go to School
Ian Whybrow Illustrated by Adrian Reynolds. Penguin
Interest age: 3+ Reading age: 5+
First Week at Cow School
Andy Cutbill Illustrated by Russell Ayto. HarperCollins Children’s Books
Interest age: 2+ Reading age: 5+
Topsy and Tim Start School
Jean Adamson. Ladybird
Interest age: 3-5 Reading age: 3+
Starting School
Allan Ahlberg. Penguin
Interest age: 3-5
Meg Comes to School
Helen Nicoll. Illustrator Jan Pienkowski. Puffin
Interest age: 3-5
Come to School Too, Blue Kangaroo
Emma Chichester Clark. HarperCollins Children’s Books
Interest age: 4+ Reading age: 5+
A Big Day for Migs!
Jo Hodgkinson. Andersen Press
Interest age: 3+ Reading age: 5+
Hugless Douglas Goes to School
David Melling. Hodder Children’s Books
Interest age: 4+ Reading age: 5+
Bunny Loves to Learn
Peter Bently Illustrated by Emma Foster and Deborah Melmon. Parragon Books
Interest age: 6+ Reading age: 5-8
Jellybean Goes to School
Margaret Roc Illustrated by Laura Hughes. Tamarind
Interest age: 3+ Reading age: 7+
And here they all are below as well for you!
Helen
Helen is a mum to two, social media consultant, and website editor; and this site is (we think) the only Social Enterprise parenting magazine! Since giving up being a business analyst when juggling travel, work and kids proved too complicated, she founded KiddyCharts so she could be with her kids, and use those grey cells at the same time. KiddyCharts has reach of over 1.1million across social and the site. The blog works with big family brands (including travel) to help promote their services, as well as offering free resources to parents of kids under 10. It gives 51%+ profits to Reverence for Life, who fund a number of important initiatives in Africa, including bringing running water and basic equipment to a school in Tanzania. Helen has worked as a digital marketing consultant (IDM qualified) with various organisations, including Channel Mum, Truprint, Talk to Mums, and Micro Scooters. She loves to be creative in the brand campaigns she works on. Get in touch TODAY!