Five-year-old Odin in Wyoming is about to start school and he sent us this question: If I’m terrified about kindergarten do I have to go? What should I do if I’m scared? What if kids are mean to me? In this episode, tips and suggestions from our listeners for kids returning to school, along with answers from guidance counselor Tosha Todd and National Teacher of the Year Juliana Urtubey.
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Related Episodes: Why Do We Have To Go To School?
First day of school book recommendations from Tosha Todd
Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten
Back to school tips
Make a hug button! Draw a heart on the inside of your hand. Draw a heart on your parent’s hand. Squeeze them together to charge your hug button. If you feel nervous at school, push the hug button and it will send you a hug. - Tosha Todd, school guidance counselor
Keep a picture of your family in your backpack. You can share with your teacher the things your family does for fun. That will help your teacher understand your family. - Juliana Urtubey, National Teacher of the Year
If you're nervous try to have fun and try to make some friends and the school year will be a lot better.- Zoe, 10 Colorado
Remind yourself that you are brave and confident. - Clarissa, 8, Ontario
Get into a school routine now. Pick out your clothes the night before. Maybe pack your lunch too. - Tosha Todd
When I start school I feel nervous, but when I step in I feel ok. For the first few days I play by myself. When those first few days are done, I play with others. - Julius, 8, Ontario
Take a deep breath, be kind to someone and they'll be kind to you. - Zoe, 6, California
Get everyone's names and if you forget them it's ok to ask again. - Lucy, Vermont
Say hi to all the kids. - Ben, 6, Michigan
You're going to make friends, and your mom and dad will pick you up; they're not going to leave you there forever. - Sly, 7, New York