🎒 Getting Ready for 1st Grade · Lesson 6 of 7
The emotional side
Talking about the change, saying goodbye, friends and confidence.
Talk about it
Read picture books about starting school, talk about what will be the same and what will be new (a desk, recess, a lunch tray), and let your child ask questions. Excitement and worry can live together.
Name the feelings
“You seem a little nervous about the new school. That makes sense. What part feels the hardest?” Naming feelings helps kids handle them. Share a time you were nervous and what helped.
Goodbyes
Keep goodbyes short, warm and the same every day — a hug, a special handshake, “See you at pickup!” Long goodbyes make it harder. Never sneak away.
Making friends
| Practice phrases | “Can I play too?” / “Do you want to play?” |
|---|---|
| Playdates | Meet a future classmate before school starts |
| Turn-taking | Board games teach waiting and losing gracefully |
Tip
💡 After school, ask specific questions: “What made you laugh today?” works better than “How was school?”
✏️ Practice: your turn
- Read a picture book about starting school together
- Create a special goodbye ritual
- Practice “Can I play too?” with a stuffed animal
- Arrange one playdate with a future classmate
🧠 Quick quiz
Answer all 4 questions correctly to mark this lesson as done.
0 of 4 correct
All lessons in Getting Ready for 1st Grade
- 🌱 1. What “readiness” really meansFeelings, friends, independence and attention — and what isn’t expected
- 🔤 2. Sounds and lettersRhymes, first sounds, syllables and letters — the fun way
- 🔢 3. Numbers and first mathCounting, quantities, more and less, shapes and patterns
- ✏️ 4. Fine motor skills and pencil gripScissors, lines, drawing and writing their name
- 🧦 5. Independence and routinesBackpack, bathroom, lunchbox, sleep and mornings
- 💛 6. The emotional sideTalking about the change, saying goodbye, friends and confidence
- ☀️ 7. The summer plan15 minutes a day, what to buy, the first week, and who to call