The Show
Ages 3–8 Disney+ 7 min
Bluey puts on a show for her family and faces the nervousness of performing — a gentle analog for the vulnerability of showing up somewhere new, perfect for starting-school conversations.
Episodes to watch 2
Daniel Goes to School / Daniel's First Day
Ages 2–6 PeacockPBS 28 min
Daniel's very first day at school — the nerves, the drop-off, the new friends, and the happy reunion. The foundational starting-school episode with the song 'It's almost like a dream, going to school with all my friends.'
Books to read 4
First Day Jitters
Ages 4–8
Sarah is terrified about her first day at a new school — until a gentle twist reveals that even adults feel this way. A reassuring book that normalizes school anxiety and validates the courage it takes to walk through the door.
The Pigeon Has to Go to School
Ages 3–6
The Pigeon does NOT want to go to school — and expresses every objection in hilariously relatable ways. Mo Willems' comedic touch makes this the perfect light-touch starting-school read for children who need to laugh at their own resistance.
Llama Llama Misses Mama
Ages 2–5
Llama Llama's first day at preschool brings big feelings — missing mama, worrying she won't come back — and the gentle discovery that school has friends, activities, and a mama who always returns.
The Kissing Hand
Ages 2–6
Chester Raccoon doesn't want to go to school. His mother shares a family secret — the Kissing Hand — so Chester carries her love with him all day. A beloved pre-school-start read for children with separation anxiety.