ClassX Video Lessons Grade Kindergarten The Night Before Preschool – Children’s Stories Read Aloud – Back to School Books for Kids
It was the night before preschool, and everyone was getting ready. The alarm clocks were set, and all the kids were hugging their favorite stuffed animals. There were monkeys, lions, and soft bunnies too! They were excited to go to school like big kids.
Parents laid out clothes and clean underwear, and hoodies were hung by the door. The children snuggled in their beds, dreaming of all the fun they would have at school. But one little boy, named Billy, was still awake. He was worried about preschool and making new friends. His tummy felt funny, and he felt shy.
At preschool, a teacher named Justin greeted everyone with a big smile. “Hi there, Billy,” he said. Justin invited all the kids to join a fun clapping game. They sang songs and danced around happily. During circle time, they listened to stories and rhymes. There was even a big costume box for dressing up! “Look, I’m a pirate!” one kid said. “I’m Goldilocks!” said another.
Billy watched the other kids play, but he stayed in the corner by himself. He drew a big dinosaur and showed it to Justin. “That’s great! Is it for me?” Justin asked. Then, it was time for a bathroom break. There was a bathroom for girls and one for boys.
Justin announced snack time, but Billy wasn’t hungry. Then, it was time to play outside! There were tricycles to ride, a garden to explore, and sand piles to scoop. Everyone had so much fun!
After playing, it was time to rest. The kids lay on their mats for a nap. Everyone was quiet, except for Billy. He couldn’t sleep without his teddy bear, Jerome, who was at home. Just then, a little girl offered him her soft, fuzzy bunny. “It’s okay,” she said. “Here, take my bunny.”
Billy felt better and whispered, “Thanks,” as he snuggled up for a nap. Soon, he was fast asleep.
After nap time, Billy played with a friend named Charlie. “I’ll be the blue rings,” said Billy. “And I’ll be the green,” said Charlie. Suddenly, there was a noise in the hallway. The kids ran to see what it was.
Parents were there to pick them up, ready for hugs and kisses. Billy’s mom brought his teddy bear, Jerome. “Did you miss us?” she asked. “See you tomorrow,” said Justin. “Wow, the first day was done!” Billy shouted, “I’ll be back! Preschool is fun!”
Stuffed Animal Show and Tell: Ask the children to bring their favorite stuffed animal to class. Have a show and tell session where each child introduces their stuffed animal and shares why it’s special to them. Encourage them to talk about how their stuffed animal makes them feel, especially when they are nervous or shy, just like Billy felt about his teddy bear, Jerome.
Friendship Bracelet Making: Provide colorful beads and string for the children to make friendship bracelets. As they create their bracelets, discuss the importance of making friends and helping others, like the little girl who shared her bunny with Billy. Encourage the children to give their bracelet to a new friend in the class.
Observation Walk: Take the children on a short walk around the school or playground. Ask them to observe and point out things that make them feel happy or excited about being at school. After the walk, gather in a circle and let each child share one thing they noticed that they liked, helping them connect their observations to positive feelings about school.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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**The Night Before Preschool**
*By Natasha Wing, Illustrated by Amy Wummer*
Twas the night before preschool, alarm clocks were set. All the children were cuddling their favorite plush pets—monkeys, lions, and soft bunnies too. They would be going to school like big boys and girls do. Parents set out clothes and clean underwear; hoodies were hung by the front door with care.
The children nestled all warm in their beds, with visions of playtime dancing in their heads. But one little boy was still wide awake. He worried about preschool and the friends he would make. His tummy hurt, yet he didn’t know why; he hid behind Mommy, feeling quite shy.
“Hi there, Billy,” said Justin, greeting each child by name. “Gather ’round, and we’ll start with a fun clapping game!” Kids sang songs and danced dances they loved. Circle time came, and everyone listened to stories and a Mother Goose rhyme. They dressed up in clothes from the big costume box—”Look, I’m a pirate!” and “I’m Goldilocks!”
But Billy just watched other kids as they played, and the corner by himself was right where he stayed. He drew a dinosaur as tall as a tree and showed it to Justin. “That’s great! Is it for me?” Then the children picked up their crayons and toys and took a trip to the bathroom—one for girls, one for boys.
“Let’s break for snacks,” said Justin, but Billy pushed aside. Then off the class marched for playtime outside. There were tricycles to ride in a big loop, a garden to tend, and sand piles to scoop.
After hanging up jackets and wiping off shoes, they gathered their buddies for a quiet time snooze. The kids lay on their mats; soon there wasn’t a peep. All were quiet except for Billy, who could not fall asleep.
“I can’t take a nap without my teddy, Jerome, but he’s not here. I left him at home.” When what to his watering eyes should appear but a soft, fuzzy rabbit with a bow on its ear. “It’s okay,” a little girl said. “Here, take my bunny.”
And suddenly, Billy’s tummy stopped feeling so funny. “Thanks,” whispered Billy, snuggling up for a nap, and just like that, he was asleep in a snap.
After nap time was over, he played with Charlie. “I’ll be the blue rings,” said Billy, “and I’ll be the green.” When out in the hallway, there arose such a clatter. Kids sprang to the door to see what was the matter.
Parents rushed in, wanting hugs and kisses. Billy’s mom brought Jerome and asked, “Did you miss us?” “See you tomorrow,” said Justin. “Wow, the first day was done!” “I’ll be back!” Billy shouted. “Preschool is fun!”
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*End of Transcript*
