Back to school means...

     Memories? Hectic schedules? A moment to yourself? All of those things? For some that first day of school or that first day back to school can be bittersweet. While we want to see our children move forward in independence, we also lament the loss of the sweet smell of infancy. What we as parents need to remember though is that we are not handing our children over to teachers to raise but instead increasing the circle of caring individuals that will contribute their knowledge and experience towards a well-rounded child with potential to conquer the world. While we tell children to dream big, we need to give them experiences that let them see the possibilities and when first hand experiences aren’t possible, we feel that the next best thing is reading and books. Books can reveal new worlds and different cultures and expose children to the potential that exists in the world.  

“Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work.”
C.S. Lewis

*Note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.

The Night Before Preschool by Natasha Wing

The 12 Days of Preschool by Jenna Lettice

Preschool, Here I Come! by David J. Steinberg

Pete the Kitty's First Day of Preschool by Kimberly & James Dean

The Night Before Kindergarten by Natasha Wing

The 12 Days of Kindergarten by Jenna Lettice

Kindergarten, Here I Come! by David J. Steinberg

Curious George's First Day of School by H. A. Rey

The Pigeon HAS to Go to School! by Mo Willems

We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins

If You Take a Mouse to School by Laura Numeroff

Refer back to our previous blog September: Back to School & Library Card Sign-up Month for a list of additional picture books with a back to school theme!

     Because children will need to read throughout their educational careers and beyond, it is important to create a positive association with books and reading. With the beginning of school and its focus on testing, we like to see children get excited about filling their lives with new knowledge from books and learning to read. Reading a variety of books will help build background knowledge and the act of sitting and listening to a story will increase focus and attention which will assist them as they prepare for the classroom. If you don’t have a large library in your home, visit your public library, local bookstore or used book sales for your child to find what interests them. Let them continue to explore because what appealed last year may not appeal any longer or they may be looking to branch out to something new. There is no finite number of interests. Don’t hold them back or try to lead them to what you, your spouse or their siblings have an interest in. Remember that each child is their own person with a unique personality and interests. Also know that the best learning sometimes comes from just talking. Take the time to discuss your child’s day, what they learned, what they are reading etc. Ask open-ended questions and allow your child to run with it, even if it heads off on a totally different tangent. Sometimes the best discussions and learning opportunities come from just such moments and creates a lasting bond and memories.

Happy reading as you get back to school!

-Kate @ BTBL

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Author

We are three generations that seek a way to get back to basics. It’s not that we eschew technology, but sometimes simpler is better, especially in raising our children. Mom was a reading teacher, Amanda is an early childhood educator and Kate a children’s literature specialist and former school librarian along with the latest additions, a daughter (now 3) for Kate, a son (now 1) and another little boy expected this year for Amanda. We advocate reading aloud, the simple toys that use imagination and encourage creativity and learning in the kitchen, which can be a fun mess but also teaches life skills. Join us in raising healthy, happy, inquisitive and intelligent children.