Big Bad Goes Back to School
Back to School Anxiety
Dorktales Podcast: Episode 74
If your child is experiencing back to school anxiety, this story for kids will validate their feelings and build confidence before a new school year begins. We explore first day of school worries and share gentle ways to help anxious kids conquer their fear of the unknown.
A new school year has begun, and Big Bad Wolf is experiencing back-to-school jitters. He’s worried his wolf classmates will continue to make fun of him over his embarrassing incident during last year’s howl-at-the-moon final exam. Enter his Folktale Forest friends, including Serena the Capybara. They talk him through his new class nerves and guide him back to his calm, cool and collected canine self and send him off with the confidence he needs to become a Master Howler!
BONUS: Download My New School Year Adventure worksheet and Big Bad Goes Back to School color page!
PARENTS, TEACHERS AND HOMESCHOOLERS: A new school year often brings back to school anxiety. In Big Bad Goes Back to School, those emotions take center stage as Big Bad works through his worries with help from friends and calming strategies. This story gently encourages emotional resilience, self-regulation, and using your support systems. It features two guided mindfulness exercises for back to school anxiety, perfect tools for easing into the new school year. Read more about the 5 social-emotional lessons kids will take away after listening to the episode.
FREE PDF TO GET THE CONVERSATIONS STARTED!
Grab your free list of comprehensive questions for “Big Bad Goes Back to School” designed to spark thoughtful conversations, promote deep thinking and help young listeners relate the episode’s themes to their own experiences and perspectives.
If you liked this story with Big Bad and Serena the caring capybara, you may also enjoy episode 49, Big Bad’s Big Feelings, where you’ll discover more mindfulness exercises to help kids self-regulate their anxious feelings.
Podcast Episode Credits
Narration, Voice Over and Podcast Host: Jonathan Cormur
Scriptwriter: Amy Thompson
Script Editor and Show Producer: Molly Murphy
Sound Production, Audio Editing and Mastering: Jermaine Hamilton
Podcast Episode Illustration: Arthur Lin
Title Design and Layout: Jeri DeMartini
Special Guest Storyteller
Our caring capybara, Serena, is performed by Chanel Tsang, host of Peace Out Podcast, mindfulness stories for kids. Chanel is a Montessori educator, family supports practitioner, and yoga and mindfulness meditation guide. Her book, Peace Out: Calm Down Workbook for Kids has more than 40 creative mindfulness practices and gentle yoga exercises to help kids understand and express their feelings