Back to School with Belonging in Mind
How Parents and Teachers Can Create Spaces Where Every Child Feels Like They Belong

The backpacks are packed. The bulletin boards are bright. The first-day photos are ready for posting. But beyond supplies and routines, every child carries a deeper need into the new school year — the need to belong.

Belonging is more than being included.
Belonging means feeling seen, accepted, and safe to be exactly who you are. It means being welcomed not despite your differences, but because of them. It means a child walks or rolls into their classroom, the bus, or the playground and knows, I have a place here.

As a parent, teacher, or caregiver, you have the power to shape that kind of space — one choice, one comment, one gesture at a time.

Four Simple Ways to Encourage Belonging This School Year

1. Name What Makes Us Different — and Celebrate It

Rather than pretending we’re all the same, help kids acknowledge and value differences in ability, culture, learning style, language, and family structure.

Teachers: Offer books and visuals reflecting a range of abilities, cultures, and experiences.
Parents: Talk openly at home about how every brain and body works differently — and that’s a gift.

“We all have strengths and struggles — and we all belong.”

2. Model Curiosity Over Assumptions

Instead of labeling differences as strange, teach kids to ask questions with kindness:

Try asking, “I wonder what makes them feel respected?”
Or, “Maybe they learn differently — how can we support that?”

Curiosity helps children move from unease to empathy.

3. Practice Invitation, Not Just Inclusion

Inclusion can feel passive. Belonging takes action.

It’s the extra, “Hey, do you want to sit with us?”
Let the classmate with an AAC device lead the circle time.
Invite a child with a visible difference to join a group game — and adjust the rules so it fits everyone.

Who isn’t part of the group yet — and how can we make room?

4. Read Stories That Spark Conversation

Books are powerful tools to plant seeds of empathy and belonging. Here are three wonderful titles for K–5 readers:

Different: A Great Thing to Be!

by Heather Avis
A joyful, beautifully illustrated book that celebrates uniqueness and shows kids how our differences make the world brighter.

Save Me a Seat

by Gita Varadarajan & Sarah Weeks
A middle-grade chapter book told from two perspectives — Ravi and Joe — who come from different backgrounds but find unexpected friendship and understanding during the first week of fifth grade.

You Are Enough: A Book About Inclusion

by Margaret O’Hair
Inspired by Sofia Sanchez, a young girl with Down syndrome, this book reminds every child that they are enough, just as they are — and that our communities are stronger when everyone is included.

Whether you're walking or rolling your child into school or welcoming 25 new faces into your classroom, you have the power to shape what belonging looks like this year.

Belonging isn’t about being perfect.
It’s about being intentional.

-Abby

Reflection Question:

What’s one small way you can create space for someone to belong this week?