Grades
PreK - K
3 Ways The Kissing Hand Can Help Get Kids Ready for Kindergarten
This heartwarming story of little raccoon will help ease any anxiety about the first day of school.
Your students probably already know the story of Chester Raccoon and the family secret his mother shares to give her son the reassurance he needs to confront the first day of school. A teacher favorite, The Kissing Hand is one of the best books teachers can use to help their new students settle in and make the first day of kindergarten a little less scary.
Plus, check out these books to get your students excited about the first day of kindergarten.
To get the most out of Chester’s story, it’s important to engage your kids in a few fun activities after reading. Here are three classroom activities to help you prepare kids for all the fun and learning you have in store for them this school year!
Racoons are the ultimate suburban scavengers. That’s why a Chester Scavenger Hunt is the perfect way to help your students get to know their classroom on the first day of school. Before reading, place hearts on important features of your classroom like the hand-washing station, aquarium, library, etc. In small groups, lead students on the scavenger hunt, introducing them to all the areas of their new classroom.
Tracing hands is a great Kissing Hand activity to encourage your kids to get to know one another. Ask students to trace their hands on construction paper, and then cut each hand out. Next, ask students to think of three words to describe their classmates and write them on the corresponding hand. Afterward, glue the hands together and create a class mobile that you can hang in your classroom.
This ready-to-go Kissing Hand lesson will not only help prepare your kids for kindergarten but will also encourage them to confront and resolve any fear or anxieties they may be having about the first day of school. With Raccoon Reassurances, your students will imagine they’re older raccoons at Chester’s school and write a letter with you to young learners just like themselves about what they can expect to see, hear, and do in their new classroom. Next, create a “Hand-y” Love Magnet your kids can share with their parents and caregivers to show them that love stays with the adult even when their kids are at school.
Looking for a few more books and activities to welcome your young learners to their new classroom? These kindergarten read-alouds under $5 will help get rid of any first-day jitters and make sure your students are prepared for back-to-school season.
Shop sweet and charming books for kindergarteners below! You can find all books and activities at The Teacher Store.
The story of a little raccoon who confronts the first day of school and needs reassurance.
This upbeat tale features easy-to-follow rhyming text, expressive illustrations, and familiar classroom scenes that will help get little ones excited for their first day of school.
This inclusive picture book rejoices in the specialness of each person's beauty and ability.
Celebrate all the familiar milestones and moments shared by every kid entering kindergarten in this charming second-person narrative. Whether it's early-morning jitters or becoming familiar with new classroom routines, this sweet and bouncy story will have expectant kindergarteners saying, "Kindergarten is cool!"
In plain language, parents of a brightly colored rockfish share lessons about how to swim joyfully through life.
Emily Elizabeth is starting Kindergarten and she's a little nervous. Good thing that the teacher sent a note home that says each child can bring something from home to make the transition a little easier. But the teacher didn't bet on a child bringing something - or someone - as big as Clifford!
The silly, funny, fantastic story of a boy who didn't wash his hands and the crazy consequences that ensue as he spreads a bit of grossness around.
A girl in a red hat finds the courage to be kind to the new student in class. Her kindness spreads, until her whole community experiences the magical shift that happens when people understand what it means to be kind, and act on their best impulses!
A touching story of first-day jitters and hopes, Tony Johnston's rhyming text is paired with Melissa Sweet's delightful illustrations!
Beauty is much more than how one looks on the outside. True beauty is found in conquering challenges, showing kindness, and spreading contagious laughter. Beautiful girls are empowered, smart, and really, really strong!
Is it time yet? This STEM-focused romp about pupation will tickle little ones who know how hard it is to wait.
This clever picture book will prepare young explorers to boldly go where they have never gone before: Planet Kindergarten. Suit up for a daring adventure as this young hero navigates the unknown reaches and alien inhabitants of a strange new world. Hilarious and confidence-boosting, this exciting story will have new kindergarteners ready for liftoff!
Red, Blue, Green, Yellow and Purple crayon try to guess what they will be able to create. When a diverse group of students finally puts them to use they get quite a workout as they work together to make a giant rainbow.
Pete the Cat is wearing his favorite shirt - the one with the four totally groovy buttons. But when one falls off, does Pete cry? Goodness, no! He just keeps on singing his song - after all, what could be groovier than three groovy buttons?
Frog does not want to sit on a log! But Cat tells him that's where he belongs. Doing his best to find an alternative place to sit, Frog asks Cat a whole lot of questions. For every answer Cat has, Frog has another question, until he finds out what dogs sit on! A silly read-aloud story with funny rhymes and hilarious illustrations.
The first day of kindergarten is finally here, and Henry can't wait to paint pictures, sing songs, and practice counting. When he gets to school, though, he's not so sure he's ready for kindergarten. But before long Henry discovers that the only thing he's not ready for is how much fun he's going to have at school!
It's the first day of kindergarten and Miss Bindergarten is hard at work getting the classroom ready for her twenty-six new students. Meanwhile, Adam Krupp wakes up, Brenda Heath brushes her teeth, and Christopher Beaker finds his sneaker. Miss Bindergarten puts the finishing touches on the room just in time, and the students arrive. Now the fun can begin!
