This idea for helping with first day jitters comes to from Jane, a Kindergarten Teacher in Springfield, MI.

On the first day of Kindergarten, I expect my young students will arrive excited, nervous, and even a bit apprehensive. So, when a mother-daughter duo came to my door that first morning and Mom reported her daughter, Marleen, was complaining she felt sick and to not pay that any mind, I took the news into consideration while also assuring them both that everything would be just fine.

Once my small charges were all seated, I welcomed them to my class by inviting Marleen to come up to the front of the room to help everyone feel more comfortable. With Marleen’s permission, I told my new class that she had been complaining her tummy felt “funny.” I asked those who felt fluttery in their tummies to raise their hands. To my delight, 23 small hands shot into the air. I then said, “See, Marleen, we all feel a bit nervous this first day. You are not alone. Do you feel better now?” She nodded in agreement and then emptied the contents of her funny-feeling tummy on my shoes.

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This article was part of the August 2010 Classroom Connection Newsletter. Check out the other articles from this edition:
Let Parents Know They Can’t Argue with Results
Here’s How to Start the Year with a Smile!
This Day One Activity Is Easy as Dough-Re-Mi!
First Day Jitters for Real
Rave Reviews for the Best Seat in the House
Getting Organized from the Get Go!
Fine Tune Transitions with a Bit of Music
Inch-by-Inch, School is a Cinch!
Focus on Picture Perfect Desks
Start Your Year Off on the Write Foot
Hunt No Farther for a Great Classroom Ice-Breaker
One Way to Devour Learning
Q & A: Managing Split Level Classes
Q & A: August