​Getting Ready For First Day of Preschool!

Setting foot into a preschool for the first time is bound to be a novel and possibly overwhelming experience for your toddler. It might be the first time they will be away from you for an extended period of time, be receiving instructions from adults who are practically strangers, interacting with that many children their age at the same time and navigating a completely foreign space. It is no surprise then that the little ones get the jitters ahead of the first day of preschool!

Starting-preschool books are a great way to help your child process this new milestone in their lives and ease their way into preschool.

My First Day At Nursery School 

by Becky Edwards, illustrated by Anthony Flintoft

“"I want my mommy!" is this hesitant little girl's response to her first day at nursery school. But after she gets involved with glue-y projects, singing and dancing, painting, game playing and meeting new friends, she gradually changes her mind about nursery school. (synopsis from Amazon)

Froggy Goes To School

by Jonathan London, illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz

"I want my mommy!" is this hesitant little girl's response to her first day at nursery school. But after she gets involved with glue-y projects, singing and dancing, painting, game playing and meeting new friends, she gradually changes her mind about nursery school. (synopsis from Amazon)

Monkey Not Ready For Kindergarten

by Marc Brown

Kindergarten is only a week away . . . but Monkey is NOT ready. What if he gets on the wrong bus? What if they don’t have any red crayons? What if he doesn’t like the snacks? What if he doesn’t make new friends? There are so many thoughts running through Monkey’s head! But step by step, his family eases his worries: they get him a new backpack, help him read books about school, prepare his lunch, and make sure Monkey is excited—and ready—for the Big Day. (synopsis from Goodreads)

I Am Too Absolutely Small For School

by Lauren Child

Lola is not so sure about school. After all, why would she need to count higher than ten when she never eats more that ten cookies at a time? Once again, it’s up to ever-patient big brother Charlie to persuade Lola that school is worthwhile — and that her invisible friend, Soren Lorensen, will be welcome, too. (synopsis from Penguin Random House)

The Kissing Hand

by Audrey Penn, illustrated by Ruth E. Harper

School is starting in the forest, but Chester Raccoon does not want to go. To help ease Chester’s fears, Mrs. Raccoon shares a family secret called the Kissing Hand to give him the reassurance of her love any time his world feels a little scary. It is widely used by kindergarten teachers on the first day of school. Stickers at the back will help children and their parents keep their Kissing Hand alive. (synopsis from Goodreads)

Llama Llama Misses Mama

by Anna Dewdney

What would Llama like to do? Llama Llama feels so new . . .
It’s Llama Llama’s first day of preschool! And Llama Llama’s mama makes sure he’s ready. They meet the teachers. See the other children. Look at all the books and games. But then it’s time for Mama to leave. And suddenly Llama Llama isn’t so excited anymore. Will Mama Llama come back? Of course she will. But before she does, the other children show Llama Llama how much fun school can be. (synopsis from Goodreads)

The Night Before Kindergarten

by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Julie Durrel

‘Twas the night before kindergarten,
and as they prepared,
kids were excited,
and a little bit scared.

It's the first day of school! Join the kids as they prepare for kindergarten, packing school supplies, posing for pictures, and the hardest part of all—saying goodbye to Mom and Dad. But maybe it won't be so hard once they discover just how much fun kindergarten really is! (synopsis from Penguin Random House)

As you read these books with your children, encourage them to think about their own feelings and how they relate with the characters and their experiences. Prompt them with the following questions:

• How does the character feel about going to school?
• Do you feel the same way about going to school?
• Can you guess what you will be doing in school?
• Do you know there will be somebody in school to help you?
• Where will mummy/daddy be when you are in school?

Looking for a n international preschool in Singapore for your child? Join us at our Open House to learn more about the GESS Preschool!