It’s that time of year again to say goodbye to summer, as you send your little darlings back to school. You may be feeling excited, nervous, or even a bit sad that summer vacation has already come to an end. But remember that your kids feel the same way. New teachers. New friends. New shoes. Maybe even a new school. New everything!
To help you and your little ones feel more comfortable with all the new things about to be happening, I have compiled some books, songs, and activities relating to the start of a new school year.
What We’re Reading:
 The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn |
 Splat the Cat: Back to School, Splat! by Rob Scotton |
Songs:
First Day of School (Sung to the tune of Zip-a-dee-do-dah)
Zip-a-dee-do-dah, Zip-a-dee-ay-
I’m excited because it’s my first day!
I’m gonna learn and I’m gonna play!
Zip-a-dee-do-dah, Zip-a-dee-ay!
It is time for us to go, now.
We’re gonna ride the school bus-
Our new teacher’s waiting for us!
Zip-a-dee-do-dah, Zip-a-dee-ay-
Wonderful feeling, on my first day!
Off to School We Go
(Sung to the tune of A-hunting We Will Go)
Off to school we go,
It’s off to school we go,
We’ll take our lunch and ride the bus,
With everyone we know.
Off to school we go,
It’s off to school we go,
We learn our ABCs and more,
With everyone we know.
I Like To Go To School
(Sung to the tune of Farmer in the Dell)
I like to go to school.
I like to go to school.
Heigh-ho-the-derry-oh,
I like to go to school.
I like to sing new songs.
I like to sing new songs.
Heigh-ho-the-derry-oh,
I like to sing new songs.
I like to play with friends.
I like to play with friends.
Heigh-ho-the-derry-oh,
I like to play with friends.
Activities:
The Kissing Hand
The first day of school can be emotional for you and your little ones, especially if it is the first time you will be apart for hours at a time. To help my children and I with this transition, I started a tradition of reading The Kissing Hand to my boys on the night before school started. It is a sweet story about a mother and baby raccoon who kiss each other’s hands to give reassurance of their love when life gets a bit scary.
Before sending my oldest off to his first day of kindergarten, I kissed his sweet little hand with a tear in my eye, and placed a tiny little red heart in the center of his palm to remind him that I love him miss him. He was able to look at it throughout the day, and be reassured that we’d be back together soon!
First Day of School Pictures
Be sure to check out chickabug.com for your FREE printable First Day Of School Signs! Taking first day of school pictures is a typical rite of passage in most home. By adding grade signs, you can make it even a bit more unique and memorable.
First Day Interview
An easy way to remember the first day back to school is to write it down! With a FREE printable interview book from ouraussiehomeschool.com, you can record your children’s first day of school thoughts and add it to your keepsake collection. This could be a great addition to their baby book, or a fun display at their graduation party. You could even share it with their kids one day.
Snack:
The Kissing Hand Cookies
Especially if you read The Kissing Hand on the night before school starts, this is a great way to welcome the kiddo’s back home. All you need is sugar cookie dough (pre-made or your own special recipe), a hand-shaped cookie cutter, and Hershey kisses.
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