Helping Children Feel Confident at School

As children and parents settle into a new school year, some may feel excited while others experience anxiety or worry.

Whether your child has already started the new term or about to face their very first day in reception, these feelings are completely normal.

The good news is that small, simple strategies can make a big difference. With the right support, families can help children turn nerves into confidence and calm.

Here are some practical ideas to help your child feel reassured and ready for the year ahead

Reading together

According to The Book Trust, reading with children supports their emotional development as much as their literacy. Sharing a story at bedtime or setting aside quiet family reading time can provide a safe and calm space, reducing worries before the school day begins. Books can act as gentle tools for exploring big feelings like worry, excitement, or fear of change. Stories that reflect children’s real-life experiences, such as starting a new school, meeting new teachers, or making friends, can help them feel understood and reassured.

Rubys Worry Book

Book ideas for easing school worries

  • The Colour Monster Goes to School by Anna Llenas. Helps younger children name and manage feelings.

  • Ruby’s Worry by Tom Percival. Encourages conversations about talking through anxieties.

  • The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson. Celebrates differences and finding confidence in new spaces.

Sharing stories

Sharing stories positively impacts children and families by strengthening bonds and improving emotional and cognitive development.

A great tool for easing school worries is "social stories" - short, personal stories you create with your child about what school will be like. For example, you could write a simple tale about "Sam’s First Day Back" that includes what time you’ll wake up, what they’ll eat for breakfast, who might be in their class, and how they’ll get home. This makes the day feel predictable and less overwhelming.

School workshops

According to the Nuffield Foundation, literacy-based family workshops help both children and parents gain confidence and strengthen their learning. These workshops not only improve reading skills but also give families a chance to connect with schools in positive ways.

If your school offers parent-child reading clubs, literacy cafés, or wellbeing workshops, attending together can help children feel supported and reduce the stigma around asking for help. Some schools also invite local authors or storytellers to run sessions, which can be a fun way for children to see reading as exciting rather than stressful.

Simple, story-based strategies to help parents and children ease back-to-school worries with confidence.

School workbooks

For children experiencing Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) or heightened anxiety, gentle preparation can make a big difference. Free printable school readiness and wellbeing workbooks are available online and can provide structured yet calming activities. These often include drawing and journaling to help children express worries and find coping strategies.

Examples include:

  • "All About Me" worksheets to help children reflect on their strengths and interests.
  • "My Worry Ladder" exercises, where children write down worries from small to big, helping them feel manageable.
  • Transition workbooks that guide children through what to expect when returning to school.
A note on Neurodiversity

Not all strategies work for every child, especially for Neurodiverse children. Families may need to adapt these ideas to suit individual needs and seek additional support from teachers or specialists when needed.

Making literacy part of everyday life

Incorporating easy activities like reading together, creating social stories, or using school-based resources into your daily routine helps children feel prepared, confident, and calm. As families mark the start of the school year and International Literacy Day (8th September), it’s a great reminder of how stories and literacy support both learning and emotional wellbeing.

Support for families with school worries

Are you a parent struggling financially? Do you need help? If you work in the UK fashion and textile industry and are finding it hard to make ends meet, FTCT may be able to help. We believe every child deserves the chance to thrive, which is why we provide grants to support families when times are tough.

Could you apply for an FTCT grant?

You may be eligible for a grant if you work or have recently worked for a fashion or textile employer and are caring for a child under 18.

We help parents in many situations, including:
• Financial hardship due to job loss, illness or bereavement
• Families who are rehoused after homelessness or unsafe living conditions
• Low-income households struggling with long-term financial hardship

What can an FTCT grant help with?

Our grants cover essential items for children, such as:
• School uniforms
• Essential appliances
• Children’s bedroom furniture  

A mother sits on the floor and watches her child helping to put clothes in the washing machine.
How do I apply for an FTCT grant?

If you have read through all our criteria and would like to apply, please complete our online enquiry form.

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