3 Effective Ways to Calm Back to School Jitters for Kids and Families
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Back to school season is a time for fresh starts, new school supplies, and big emotions— for kids and their families. Whether you’re welcoming kindergarteners for their very first time at a big school or helping second graders adjust to a new routine, back to school jitters are completely normal. Check out these 3 easy and effective ways you can calm these nerves, turn them into feelings of excitement and confidence, and build positive classroom connections for everyone!
1. Use a Social Story to Normalize Back to School Jitters
A new classroom, a new teacher, new friends, and maybe even a new school— it is so much to process for little learners.
No matter what grade your students are starting, they may not have all of the words they need to describe how they’re feeling before the new school year begins. It’s important to remember that however they may be feeling, their emotions are very real!
Social stories are a great tool to help students know what to expect in unknown situations. The “I Am in a New Grade Now” story found in the Back to School Activity Set gently walks kids through what it feels like to start something new.
Read the story out loud during class meetings, show the narrated video version, or let kids take home their own mini-book copies to share with their important grown-ups.
This social story helps you:
- Validate back to school jitters with kid-friendly language
- Teach emotional vocabulary and build self-awareness
- Lay a foundation for building positive classroom connections
When kids are given words to name their feelings— like nervous, excited, worried, or shy— they’re more likely to express themselves in healthy, productive ways.
Without this important emotional vocabulary, students may withdraw from others, act out, cry, or shut down. They aren’t trying to be difficult when they express themselves in these ways, though. They just don’t have the language to explain what they’re going through.
By using a social story to help with normal back to school jitters, you’re not only telling kids what to expect on the first day, you’re showing them it’s okay to feel all different types of emotions AND giving them the tools they need to talk about them!
2. Build Comfort Before the First Day Ever Starts
The next way you can help calm back to school jitters is to start the connection before students ever arrive. Spend a little time a week or so before the first day of school to prepare small welcome packets for each student.
Include these 3 things:
- Welcome Letter: Use the editable Welcome Letter template included in the Back to School Activity Set. Personalize it with a friendly picture of yourself and a few lists of your favorite things.
- Ready Confetti: Fill small bags with confetti and attach a Ready Confetti Poem to each bag. Encourage your new students to place the “Ready Confetti” under their pillow the night before school starts.
- Mini Social Stories: Print out “mini-sized” individual copies of the social story for kids to read aloud with their parents. This is so helpful for parents to have consistent language with what you will be sharing with their students on the first day!
This care package is a wonderful tool to turn something nerve-wracking into something joyful and exciting for everyone!
It’s also a powerful way to begin building a positive school-home connection with families and fostering a precious relationship with new students.
*If your school has a Meet the Teacher event prior to the first day of school, wait to hand these out to your students and their families then!
3. Create Calm, Easy-to-Follow Routines for the First Day of School
Finally, intentionally create a calm and welcoming environment for students on the first day of school.
Use easy-to-follow routines to help students know they are safe and ease any lingering back to school jitters they may still be feeling.
The Back to School Activity Set includes ready-to-print SEL activity pages and coloring sheets that are perfect for:
- Calming morning work as students arrive
- Thoughtful class meeting discussions and “getting to know each other” moments
- Emotional check-ins with small groups or individual students
These activities help you infuse SEL on day 1 while you target skills like emotional regulation, expression of feelings, and positive associations with school.
While students are working on these Back to School activities, you have a few extra moments to take attendance, ease into your day with less chaos, and build positive connections!
Helping students and their families manage back to school jitters doesn’t have to be complicated or overwhelming. When you lead with compassion, create space for all of the big feelings, and set up routines that help kids feel safe and connected, you make the transition easier for everyone!
More Ideas for the First Day of School
Check out the First Day of School Series for more ideas to help you prepare for this special (& super important!) day:
You can do this! You’re creating a classroom full of curiosity, connection, and confidence— one day and one giggle at a time.
Let me know if you have any questions about anything you see here. Don’t forget to pin this post to refer to it later!
Other posts you may enjoy:
How To Successfully Prepare Your Child For A Smooth Transition To Kindergarten
Separation Anxiety in Children: 8 PROVEN Strategies for Smooth Transitions
TREAT YOURSELF TO STRESS FREE PLANNING FOR BACK TO SCHOOL WITH THIS
Free Back To School Routines & Procedures Checklist
Everything you need to remember for back to school in one convenient place!
Diane Romo
Thank you for being here! I love sharing ideas with other teachers! If you are looking to enhance your teaching and build a positive classroom community, you have come to the right place!
