Hi,
My friend.
Today we're going to practice getting ready for something new.
Maybe you're starting school for the very first time.
Maybe you're going back to a school that you already know.
Maybe you'll have a new teacher,
A new classroom.
And some new friends.
And when something new is coming,
You might feel excited.
You might feel nervous.
Possibly you could feel a little bit of both.
All of those feelings are okay.
So find a comfortable spot.
Where you can sit down or lie down or snuggle somewhere cozy.
And when you're ready,
Put one hand on your belly.
Take a slow breath in through your nose.
And let it out.
Let's do that again.
Breathe in through your nose.
And let it out.
How about one more time?
Breathe in through your nose.
And let it rip.
Let your whole body get a little softer.
Now imagine.
That.
Tomorrow is your first day of school.
Picture yourself waking up in the morning.
Maybe it's getting dressed and then eating breakfast.
Putting on your shoes.
And then.
.
.
Imagine picking up your backpack.
Inside your backpack,
You might be carrying all of your school things.
I want you to imagine that you can put a few invisible things inside too.
First,
Let's pack some bravery.
Bravery doesn't mean you aren't nervous.
Bravery means that you can feel nervous and still take the next step.
Imagine putting some bravery right inside your backpack.
Next,
Let's pack calm.
Take another slow breath in.
And breathe out.
That calm breath can come with you anywhere.
It can go into the car.
It can go on the bus.
Down the hallway.
Into your classroom.
Outside at recess.
You can always come back to your breath.
Put that calm inside your backpack too.
And now,
Let's pack one more thing.
Something really important.
Everything that makes you,
You goes with you to school.
Your kindness,
Your ideas.
Your curiosity.
Your silliness!
The things you're good at.
And even the things you're still learning.
You don't have to know everything on your first day.
You don't have to do everything perfectly.
Just have to show up as you.
Now imagine you're getting closer to school.
Maybe you notice some butterflies in your belly.
If they're there,
You don't have to make them go away.
Instead,
You can quietly tell yourself,
My body is telling me this is something new.
Take a breath.
And say to yourself,
I can do new things.
Take another breath.
Say to yourself,
I can be nervous and brave at the same time.
Now picture yourself walking into school.
It's a sunny day,
You walk through the front door.
And you're walking down the hallway.
Now you're looking for your classroom.
You see your teacher waving at you,
And then you see other kids.
You walk into the classroom.
Find your cubby,
Maybe you find your desk,
Or your spot in the classroom.
And if you don't know exactly where to go yet,
That's okay.
There'll be grown-ups there to help you.
You don't have to figure everything out by yourself.
Just imagine yourself taking that first step into your classroom.
And then another.
And then another.
Because sometimes being brave isn't one giant thing.
Sometimes bravery is just taking the next little step.
Before we finish,
Let's practice something that you can use anytime you need it on your first day,
Your first week.
Or even way into the school year.
Press your feet gently into the floor.
Feel how strong the ground is underneath you.
Take a slow breath in.
And breathe out.
Quietly say to yourself,
I am safe.
I am brave.
I can ask for help.
I can do new things.
And I can take it one step at a time.
Take one more big breath in.
And let it go.
Your first day doesn't have to be perfect to be a good day.
You can feel excited,
And you can miss home.
You can have fun and you can be nervous.
You can feel lots of things all at the same time.
And through all of it,
Your bravery,
Your calm.
Everything that makes you,
You goes right along with you.
You've got everything you need to take your first step.
And when you're ready.
.
.
Just know your brave first day is waiting for you.
Have the best first day.
