Cala Luna logoCala Luna by Little Lynx Studios

Social stories · ages 5–9 · 2-minute read

First day at a new school: a social story

Starting a new school or class, step by step. Pair it with our free episode about Teo's first morning in the big class.

Read the story

By the Cala Luna team · Reviewed 24 October 2026 · The research behind it

Episode 4 thumbnail: Teo hides under the table in his big yellow hat while Mamá gently lifts the brim
Watch: Brave Means Scared · Free episode 4 · 10 min on YouTube

The story

Read it aloud together, one card at a time. Point to the pictures and let your child read the last card.

  1. Soon I will start at a new school. Lots of children start new schools.

  2. In the morning, I get dressed and pack my bag.

  3. A grown-up takes me to school. We say goodbye at the door.

  4. My new teacher says hello and shows me where to go.

  5. There are new places: my classroom, the toilets and the playground. Soon they will feel familiar.

  6. I might feel excited, nervous, or both. Many children feel this way.

  7. If I feel worried, I can ask myself: what is the scariest bit? Then I can tell my teacher.

  8. If I do not know where to go, I can ask a grown-up. Asking is brave.

  9. At the end of the day, someone picks me up. I can tell them about my day.

My calm plan

Pick one or two before the day, and practise them at home.

  • ❓ Find the scariest bit
  • 🙋 Ask a teacher
  • 🫁 Three slow breaths
  • 📷 Look at my photos

Free printable social story from calalunakids.com/social-stories/first-day-at-a-new-school/

Made about your child

Want this story with your child as the hero?

A two-minute calm cartoon where the hero looks like your child and gets through this exact moment, one small step at a time.

$12.99 · ready in 24 hours · checked by a person

Make my child's cartoon
Teo, a small lynx in a big yellow sun hat

How to use this story (for grown-ups)

  • Make it personal: add real photos of the school gate, the classroom and the teacher if the school can share them. Social stories work best when they are specific to the child.
  • Walk past the school together, or visit the playground, before the first day.
  • Use the question from our episode: "What is the scariest bit?" A named worry is smaller than a vague one.
  • Keep the goodbye short and the same every day (see our drop-off story).

Why these steps: what 30 years of research says about social stories.

Questions parents ask

How long does it take a child to settle at a new school?

Many children settle within a few weeks. If worries are getting bigger rather than smaller after the first half-term, talk to the teacher about a plan together.

Should we watch the episode before or after the first day?

Before. Watch it a couple of times in the week before, then talk about what Teo did when he felt scared.

More social stories

Victoria, a young lynx with a pink jumper, stands at the classroom door with her teacher behind herFree video

School drop-off and saying goodbye

A goodbye that is the same every day, and the first small step after it.

Read the story →

Talking at school

For children who chat at home but go quiet at school. No pressure, tiny steps.

Read the story →
Episode 5 thumbnail: Mila scowls in a yellow T-shirt that feels like hot ants, with the words Too itchy?Free video

When new clothes feel wrong

Itchy labels, tight socks, new shoes. Small steps, plus a free episode.

Read the story →

All social stories

We read the best free examples and guidance we could find, then wrote a shorter, simpler version in our own words: Student Wellbeing Hub (Australian Government): using social stories to prepare for school. Not medical advice; if you are worried about your child, talk to their school or doctor.