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Back-to-School Anxiety
Is your little one nervous about going back to school? It is quite common! Starting school, whether it is your first year or you’ve done it before, can be scary. There are a lot of changes and new things to learn. Here are some tips to help alleviate worry and anxiety about going back to school.
Talk and listen
Have an open conversation about what is worrying them about going back to school. Ask what makes this a nerve wracking time so you can help them problem solve or prepare for specific situations. If they are not able to express what is scary – that’s ok! Assure them that being nervous is a normal emotion and reaction.
Prepare
Walking through anxiety provoking situations can be extremely helpful. If they are nervous about something specific, role play what the situation might look like and how they can address it or ask for help. If you are able to, drive to the school and visit so they can become familiar with where they will be each day.
Involve them in decisions
Have them help pick out their going back to school supplies, backpack, lunchbox or whatever else they may need for school. Getting something in their favorite color or including their favorite superhero or TV character can help make this a fun and exciting time!
Start the routine
Help get them into the swing of going back to school by starting the routine early. Change is hard, so the more time kids have to adjust, the better! This could involve setting a bed time, wake up time, eating and getting dressed in the morning, or whatever your family decides to do to!
Friends
Help connect them to their school friends! Reach out to other families who will be attending the same school or will be in the same class so they can meet. It is much easier to do something new when you have a friendly, familiar face by your side.
Calming exercises
Try some calming exercises to help alleviate worry and anxiety. Calming exercises are great to practice when you are feeling calm so that when you are anxious you are already an expert in a technique to help! Some calming exercises include belly breathing, 54321 grounding, or doing a little stretch!
Read books
Check out our Back-to-School picture book section for stories about going to school that children can relate to. Need other book recommendations? Just ask a librarian; we are happy to help!
Youth Services Assistant Librarian Jessica -
Summer Mindfulness Activities
Mindfulness is an activity you can practice year-round, but here are some summer inspired activities to encourage mindful moments for your little ones.
- Gardening
Whether it is at home or participating in a gardening program at the BALibrary, gardening is a great way to connect to nature! What colors do you see? How does the dirt feel between your fingers? Notice how the flowers smell. - Cloud watching
Gaze up at the clouds and see what shapes you can see! Better yet, lay in the grass and notice how it feels beneath your body. - Blowing bubbles
Get out your bubbles and wand! Pay attention your breath as you inhale and exhale to make the bubbles. - Draw with sidewalk chalk
Get creative and draw something you love! What colors do you use? What shapes are within your drawings? What texture does the chalk have? - Nature walk
Put on those walking shoes and explore nature! What do you see? What colors do you notice? What does the ground feel like beneath your feet? Do you feel the sun on your face or the wind in your hair? What do you hear or smell? Name anything else you notice!
Interested in programs related to mindfulness? Check out Morning Garden Story Time, Loose Parts Nature Play, Nature Art, Nature I Spy, Meditation Story Time, and Little Kids, Big Feelings.
Youth Services Assistant Librarian Jessica - Gardening
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Expressing Gratitude - Scavenger Hunt Edition
Gratitude can have a big impact on our lives. It has been proven to be effective in improving mood, increasing ability to cope with emotions, decreasing stress, and so many other positive benefits. Let’s practice showing our gratitude in a creative way - with a scavenger hunt! Use the list below to find what sparks your joy and makes you smile.
- Something you enjoy looking at
- Something that is useful to you
- Something that is your favorite color
- Something that makes you smile when you see it
- Something that smells good
- Something that makes you laugh
- Something you enjoy in the morning
- Something you enjoy at night
- Something that means a lot to you
- Something you love to spend time with
- Something that reminds you of the people you love
- Something you created
- Something you like to share with others
- Something that makes you feel calm
- Something you love
Looking for more fun activities?
Gratitude for Kids - 9 Ways to Practice Gratitude with Kids ⋆ Journal for Kids
Learn more about why gratitude is so important:
Why gratitude is important for kids? | WOW Parenting
8 Reasons Why Gratitude is Important for Kids — Peake Academy
The Positive Impact of Gratitude on Mental Health | Psychology Today
We’d love to hear about your experience with the scavenger hunt! Chat with us at the Youth Services Reference Desk, or email us at youthservices@balibrary.org.
Youth Services Assistant Librarian Jessica -
Unconventional School Stories
During the COVID pandemic, the start of a school year has felt a little different. Whether your kids are going to class wearing masks and unable to hug friends, or moved completely to homeschooling, school time has required adaptations from all of us. Find some inspiration in these stories of different school situations, across time and around the world.
This Is My Home, This Is My School
For young Jonathan and his sisters, Mom is the teacher and a whole lot more, and Dad is the best substitute any kid could want. From math, science, and field trips to recess, show-and-tell, and art, a school day with this intrepid, inventive family will seem both completely familiar and totally unique.
by Katy Beebe & Sally Wern Comport
A boy growing up in Ancient Egypt begins his first day of scribe training by traveling the Nile to his school. A twist on the first-day-of-school story that shows readers that feeling nervous is universal, even for kids growing up in an ancient civilization.
Steamboat School: Inspired By a True Story
by Deborah Hopkinson & Ron Husband
In 1847 St. Louis, Missouri, when a new law against educating African Americans forces Reverend John to close his school, he finds an ingenious solution to the new state law by moving his school to a steamboat in the Mississippi River.
The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read
by Rita Lorraine Hubbard & Oge Mora
In 1848, Mary Walker was born into slavery. At age 15, she was freed, and by age 20, she was married and had her first child. By age 68, she had worked numerous jobs, including cooking, cleaning, babysitting, and selling sandwiches to raise money for her church. And at 116, she learned to read. An inspirational story of a woman whose long life and determination proved that you're never too old to learn.
Off to Class: Incredible and Unusual Schools Around the World
Education is not readily available for kids everywhere, and many communities are strapped for the resources that would make it easier for kids to go to school. In short, it's not always easy getting kids off to class -- but people around the world are finding creative ways to do it. In this book, travel to India, Burkina Faso, Brazil, Uganda, and a dozen other countries, to visit some of these incredible schools, and, through personal interviews conducted by author Susan Hughes, meet the students who attend them too.
Every morning, a young girl walks her grandmother to the Aajibaichi Shala, the school that was built for the grandmothers in her village to have a place to learn to read and write. A moving story about the power of education.
Want more reading lists delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our e-newsletters to discover the newest and best books for kids.
Youth Services Librarian Allison -
Books to Read for Mental Health Awareness Month
Even though Mental Health Awareness Month is almost over, here at the Barrington Area Library, we think it's cool to take care of our mental health all year round! Here are some of our favorite titles that focus on mindfulness, emotions, and mental health.
Looking for more recommendations?Fill out our form to get a custom list of reads or a Book Bundle for pickup.
Youth Services Assistant Librarian Stefanie -
Daniel Tiger on Kanopy Kids: When Something Seems Bad, Turn It Around, and Find Something Good
Watch “Daniel’s Birthday/Daniel’s Picnic” on Kanopy Kids using your Barrington Area Library card number to log in, and come back to this blog post to enjoy some family activities that will enhance your child’s learning around the episode.
Here are some questions that will help you unpack some of the topics in the episode with your child.
Daniel's Birthday
- Can you think of your perfect cake or birthday treat? Draw a picture with your grownup and/or describe what your perfect cake or treat would look, feel, and taste like.
- When Daniel’s cake gets smushed, he is disappointed, but his dad helps him to realize that it probably still tastes pretty yummy! Can you think of a time when something like that happened to you? How did you feel? Even though you were disappointed, can you think of something good about the situation?
Daniel's Picnic
- Daniel, Miss Elaina, and Prince Wednesday are pretty disappointed when it starts to rain on their picnic. I know that I am feeling a little disappointed that it’s getting colder outside, and I won’t be able to hang out with my family and friends outside as much. Can you brainstorm ways that you can hang out with your family and friends in the fall and winter virtually, such as a virtual picnic or a fort-building night?
Below are some other activities to try as a family.
- Check out PBS Kids: Life’s Little Lessons on disappointment activity and conversation guide.
- Check out a cookbook from the library and bake something with your grownup.
- Watch or rewatch thePBS Kids: Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood special called “Won’t You Sing Along With Me?” about some of the challenges preschoolers are facing because of the pandemic.
- Grownups: Make a plan for talking to your child(ren) about your holiday plans this year. Read this article called“6 Tips for Preparing Your Kids for a Socially Distanced Holiday Season” for some helpful advice.
Here is some further reading on the topics discussed in the episode.
Youth Services Assistant Librarian Stefanie -
Daniel Tiger on Kanopy Kids: In Some Ways We Are Different, But In So Many Ways, We Are The Same!
Watch “Daniel’s New Friend” on PBS Kids, and come back to this blog post to enjoy some family activities that will enhance your child’s learning around the episode.
Here are some questions that will help you unpack some of the topics in the episode with your child.
- What does it mean to be alike and different? Ask your child(ren) how the characters in the show are alike? How are they different?
- Talk to your child(ren) about things that they have in common with their family or friends. What do you all like or do that is the same? Then ask them about the ways in which you all are different. Do you have different hair colors, have a different favorite food, or are you different heights?
Below are some other activities to try as a family.
- Check out the activities on thePBS Kids: Life’s Little Lessons Family Activity Guide.
- Grownups: Check out the first installation of our Keep It Real: Preparing Kids for a Diverse World program, on Tuesday, October 27 at 7:30pm, in collaboration with Be the Change Barrington, where participants will read and discussRaising White Kids by Dr. Jennifer Harvey.
- Explore the resources onPBS Kids Talk About Race and Racism, especially thisdiscussion guide.
Here is some further reading on the topics discussed in the episode.
Youth Services Assistant Librarian Stefanie -
Daniel Tiger on Kanopy Kids: Friends Help Each Other, Yes They Do
Watch "Friends Help Each Other/Daniel Helps O Tell a Story"on Kanopy Kidsusing your Barrington Area Library card number to log in, and come back to this blog post to enjoy some family activities that will enhance your child’s learning around the episode.
Here are some questions that will help you unpack some of the topics in the episode with your child.
“Friends Help Each Other”
- In this episode, Katerina accidentally knocks the tea set on the floor, and she is so sad that she thinks she ruined the party! Sometimes, things don’t always go as planned, but our friends and family can help us when we need it. Can you think of a time when something unexpected happened? How did that make you feel?
- When Daniel and Katerina are cleaning up, they turn it into a game. Can you think of a time where you turned a not-so-fun situation into a better one? What happened?
“Daniel Helps O Tell a Story”
- Daniel is so excited that O will read to him since Daniel doesn’t quite know how to read yet. Has anyone ever done this for you? Talk about one of your favorite read-aloud memories with your loved ones. Ask them what their favorite read-aloud memory is too!
Below are some other activities to try as a family.
- Use some blankets and pillows (or whatever supplies you’d like) and make a cozy reading nook to hang out in while you read together!
- Check out a wordless picture book at the library and take turns telling stories with your family.
- Read a book together and pretend like the last page (or couple of pages, or chapter) is missing, just like in the episode. How do you think the book should end? Make up your own ending with your family.
- Check out our new Early Learning Kit all about mindfulness!
- Sign up forLittle Kids, Big Feelings on Tuesday, September 29 at 10am where we will read a book about worry and practice some breathing and mindfulness exercises!
- Subscribe to theBStrong Together newsletterfor tips and tools every week to enhance your child’s health and well-being, and check out their self-care calendarsfor parents and tweens + teens.
- Parents + caregivers: Interested in learning more about emotional health? Sign up for theKeep it Real:Permission to Feel Book Club, in collaboration with BStrong Together, starting on Tuesday, September 22 at 7:30pm.
Youth Services Assistant Librarian Stefanie -
5 Ways Your Child Can Fight Anxiety -- and Have Fun, Too
We live in an unusual, sometimes frightening time, and it’s only natural that your little one may be a little stressed out. Now that school is back in session, that stress may have doubled -- but don’t worry! Here are 5 fun, anxiety-busting activities the whole family will enjoy.
1. Calm Down Jars
Using warm water, glitter, glue, and a jar, kids can create a simple sensory object that can aid in stress reduction. Children can focus on the dancing glitter, practice deep breathing, or simply distract themselves by shaking the jar. Calm down jars offer a simple introduction to mindful practice -- consciously focusing on a present moment or object without worrying about the looming, larger concerns in your life.2. Worry boxes
Worry boxes are exactly what they sound like -- kids can make little boxes, write down their worries, and put those worries away in the box. This symbolic exercise affords children a sense of control over their anxieties, allowing them to create boundaries for intrusive thoughts and stressors and putting them out of sight for a while… and maybe out of mind, too.
Slime isn’t just fun to play with -- it can be therapeutic, too. Manipulating slime can be an enjoyable source of sensory stimulation for little ones.
Playing with slime can also give children a sense of control over their environment. COVID totally transformed the way children interact with their peers and environment -- it changed what behaviors are acceptable or unacceptable, where they can go, who they can be around, etc. -- and retaining a semblance of control can help ease a troubled mind.
Plus, slime is justfun.
Blowing bubbles can help children practice deep breathing, which regulates anxiety. Bubbles can’t be formed by sharp, violent exhalations; they can only form when the blower is gentle and deliberate. This simple deep breathing exercise can help children regain a sense of control over their own physiological response to anxiety or stress.
Kids -- and adults -- can also visualize their anxieties flowing into the bubble. When the bubble pops and disappears, so does the image of whatever’s bothering the blower.
5. Coloring
Children can use coloring as a gateway to mindful practice: when you color, you give in to “the moment” and shut out big, intrusive thoughts as you devote yourself to this simple activity. Extraneous thoughts are pushed to the side, allowing children to “meditate” while coloring.
Looking for more fun activities? We’ve got you covered:
- 8 Activities for Treating Anxiety in Children
- 10 Therapist (and Child)-Approved Activities to Support Kids with Anxiety
- 31 Days of Sensory Play Ideas. Kid Approved!
Why these activities can help:
- 9 Reasons Kids Calm Down Coloring
- Amazing Benefits of Making Slime with Kids
- Blow Anxiety Away on a Bubble
- What Is Mindfulness Coloring?
- Why is my kid obsessed with slime?
- Why Putting Worries in a Box (or Jar) Calms Anxious Kids
Youth Services Librarian Chris -
Daniel Tiger on Kanopy Kids: What Happens When We Do Something New?
Watch“Daniel Visits School/Daniel Visits the Doctor” on Kanopy Kidsusing your Barrington Area Library card number to log in, and come back to this blog post to enjoy some family activities that will enhance your child’s learning around the episode.
Now that you’ve watched the episode, here is a companion video that will demonstrate some ways to practice mindfulness when your child is feeling nervous or worried.
Here are some questions that will help you unpack some of the topics in the episode with your child.
- Is there something new in your life that you are nervous or worried about? What is it? What questions do you have about the new thing? Talk through some of your concerns with a trusted adult. Sometimes just talking about it helps you feel better, and they can help you answer some of the questions that you have!
- When you feel nervous or worried about something, how does it make you feel? Can you think of something to do that might make you feel a little better? What are some things that make you smile?
Below are some other activities to try as a family.
- Try role playing some of the new situations that are making your child nervous. Act it out, show them pictures, or practice a tough conversation with them.
- Practice some art therapy with author and illustrator Christian Robinson in the episode of Making Space called “Possibility.”
- Check out our Early Learning Kit for children 3+ about emotions!
- Sign up for Little Kids, Big Feelings on Tuesday, August 25 at 11am where we will read a book about worry and practice some more breathing and mindfulness exercises!
- Here is a video where children from New Zealand explain what mindfulness means to them.
- Check out this Storytime Activity Guide for The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeldby Tandem Partners in Early Learning.
- Subscribe to the BStrong Together newsletterfor tips and tools every week to enhance your child’s health and well-being.
Here are the books I mentioned in the companion video.
Youth Services Assistant Librarian Stefanie -
Sesame Street on Kanopy Kids: Elmo Finds a Baby Bird
Watch “Elmo Finds a Baby Bird” on Kanopy Kids using your Barrington Area Library card number to log in, and come back to this blog post to enjoy some family activities that will enhance your child’s learning around the episode.
Here are some questions that will help you unpack some of the topics in the episode with your child.
- When Elmo and Rosita find the baby bird, they can’t figure out what the baby bird is trying to tell them. Have you ever tried to communicate something to someone, but they couldn’t understand you? How did that feel?
- “Chasing the cheese” was a silly and fun way for the inhabitants of Sesame Street to get some exercise. How have you been moving your body and exercising lately? Can you think of a fun and silly way to get some exercise with your family this summer?
- During Elmo’s World, Elmo asked children how they play with their pets. Do you have a pet? If so, how do you play with your pet? If you don’t have a pet, have you ever played with a friend or relative’s pet? What did you do?
Below are some other activities to try as a family.
- Check out some of Audubon’s resources on birds! Here’s some information onwhat to do when you find a baby bird near your home,some activities on Audubon for Kids,how to make a DIY birdfeeder, or take a look atsome adorable baby bird photos.
- Watch theSesame Street crew’s NPR Tiny Desk Concert!
- Complete someSummer Reading activities to earn your Wellness Warrior badge! You can try a new fitness activity, take a walk or bike ride with your family, and so much more.
- Dance is exercise too! Sign up for our Watch Live: Family Concert with Tunes with Tim on Monday, July 27th at 10 am.
- Try eating or cooking with a new fruit or vegetable (with your grownup of course!). Here’s a smoothie tutorial by Cookie Monster. What did you eat and/or make? Make sure you log your activity to help earn your Summer Reading Garden Guru badge!
Youth Services Assistant Librarian Stefanie
