The transition to kindergarten can be scary for children, even if they have been to play groups and preschool. If your child will continue to attend The Goddard School®, the transition may be easier than the transition to public school or another private kindergarten program. However, the transition from pre-k to kindergarten is still a significant step. Reading books to your child about the transition can help ease any anxiety about starting kindergarten. The sampling of books below touch on the challenges children and their parents face when children move on to kindergarten and some things to look forward to!
The Night before Kindergarten by Natasha Wing and Julie Durrel
This book is a twist on The Night before Christmas poem and shows children the fun of getting ready for kindergarten by packing supplies for school, setting their clothes out for the first day and taking first-day pictures. This book also shows children excitedly exploring their classroom for the first time.
Kindergarten, Here I Come! by D.J. Steinberg
This is a great, poetic book illustrating some of the milestones children face as kindergarteners, including first-day nerves, new friendships, the experience of losing a tooth and hundredth-day celebrations.
Kindergarten Rocks! by Katie Davis
This book addresses a child’s typical concerns about starting kindergarten. With the help of a familiar face and fun learning experiences, the main character quickly learns to embrace kindergarten.
Countdown to Kindergarten by Alison McGhee and Harry Bliss (illustrator)
This story explains that children entering kindergarten don’t need to know everything on the first day. The main character fears she will be the only one who doesn’t know how to tie her shoes. She later realizes that she isn’t alone; other classmates are in the same boat.
The Twelve Days of Kindergarten: A Counting Book by Deborah Lee Rose and Carey Armstrong-Ellis
This rhyming story illustrates the experience of starting kindergarten and provides opportunities for children to work on skills that are necessary for school, like counting.
The Invisible String by Patrice Karst and Geoff Stevenson (illustrator)
Addressing the subject of separation anxiety, this story teaches children that they are never really alone. This book is also recommended for toddlers and preschoolers. It tells children that those we love stay with us through life’s challenges and experiences.
Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate and Ashley Wolff (illustrator)
This book shows what teachers may do to prepare their classrooms for the children and shares the excitement of starting a new year and meeting new faces. Offering an opportunity to study the alphabet and rhyming words, this book provides a fun, educational read for children heading to kindergarten.
The Queen of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes and Vanessa Brantley Newton (illustrator)
The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes and Vanessa Brantley Newton (illustrator)
Both of these books feature main characters who are excited to begin kindergarten. Their families encourage a positive outlook on the transition and encourage their children to have confidence as they enter their new classrooms. Both books focus on the joys of what children will experience in kindergarten including opportunities to make friends and learning new things.
