First Day of School Social Story — Free Template
The first day of school combines many sources of uncertainty at once: a new building, new adults, new routines, and new peers. This template gives children the information they need to enter that experience with confidence rather than fear.
The Story
Page 1
[PENDING_CLINICAL: Story page 1 — introduce the school and why children go there]
Page 2
[PENDING_CLINICAL: Story page 2 — describe the arrival routine (bus, car, or walking)]
Page 3
[PENDING_CLINICAL: Story page 3 — introduce the classroom and where child's seat is]
Page 4
[PENDING_CLINICAL: Story page 4 — describe the teacher and how the teacher helps]
Page 5
[PENDING_CLINICAL: Story page 5 — perspective sentence about other children and how they might look]
Page 6
[PENDING_CLINICAL: Story page 6 — describe the main parts of the school day in order]
Page 7
[PENDING_CLINICAL: Story page 7 — describe lunch and recess]
Page 8
[PENDING_CLINICAL: Story page 8 — positive closing and the end of the day routine]
Clinical Notes
Why this story works — by the StoryRetriever clinical team
[PENDING_CLINICAL: 2-3 paragraphs from clinical team on the specific challenges of school transitions for children with autism, what to emphasize in personalization, and how to coordinate with the receiving teacher]
How to Use This Template
Start reading this template two weeks before the first day, not the night before.
Visit the school in advance and take photos of the actual classroom, hallways, and playground.
Meet with the teacher before the school year and get a photo to add to the story.
Share the story with the teacher so they know the child has been preparing.
Personalize This Story in StoryRetriever
Add your child's name, photos from the real environment, and audio recording. Share it with your SLP or family in one tap. Works on any device — iPad, Android, Chromebook, or browser.
Free plan includes 3 stories. No credit card required.