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

School drop-off: a goodbye social story

For children who cry or cling at the gate. One goodbye, the same every day, then one small step.

Read the story

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

Victoria, a young lynx with a pink jumper, stands at the classroom door with her teacher behind her
Watch: Won't go to school? One block at a time · A real personalised cartoon · 2 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. On school mornings, a grown-up takes me to school.

  2. At the door, we say goodbye. Saying goodbye can feel hard.

  3. We have our special goodbye: two squeezes, a wave, and "see you at pick-up".

  4. After the goodbye, my grown-up leaves. They always come back at pick-up time.

  5. My teacher is there to help me. I can hold my teacher's hand.

  6. I might cry for a little while. That is OK. Feelings come and go.

  7. Then I do one small thing: hang up my coat, or find my chair.

  8. At the end of the day, my grown-up comes back. We are happy to see each other.

My calm plan

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

  • 🤗 Two squeezes and a wave
  • 🧑‍🏫 Hold my teacher's hand
  • 🧩 One small first step
  • ⏰ Pick-up is coming

Free printable social story from calalunakids.com/social-stories/school-drop-off/

Made about your child

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

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Mila, a young lynx in a red headband and striped T-shirt

How to use this story (for grown-ups)

  • Keep the goodbye short, warm and identical every day. A long or changing goodbye makes the moment bigger.
  • Never sneak away. Say goodbye, then leave as you said you would, so your child can trust the routine.
  • Hand over to the same adult each morning, and arrive a few minutes early, before the gate gets busy.
  • Give a concrete return time ("after lunch and play"), and agree one small first step with the teacher, like the "one block" idea in the cartoon.

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

Questions parents ask

Should I stay until my child stops crying?

Usually a short, predictable goodbye works better than staying longer. Many children settle soon after the parent leaves; ask the teacher to let you know how the first ten minutes went.

When should I worry?

If distress is severe, lasts all day, or is getting worse after several weeks, talk with the school. They may suggest extra support or a gradual start.

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All social stories

We read the best free examples and guidance we could find, then wrote a shorter, simpler version in our own words: Action for Children: making social stories and scripts to support your child. Not medical advice; if you are worried about your child, talk to their school or doctor.