For children, this past year has been a strange one. Suddenly people started not seeing each other, shops were shut and then school shut down and all their classes went online. For almost a year, the world of many children shrunk to the size of their homes. And just as suddenly as schools shut, they opened up again.

These sudden changes aren’t easy. Adjusting to schools reopening, going back to classrooms and group cliques and dinner lines and playtime with other children can easily get overwhelming. Going back to school can be just as difficult as starting from scratch. In a way, it is starting school all over again.

To help children who are going back to school after lockdown, here are some of the books and resources that will smooth these transitions. With a faith basis and plenty of tips for School life, children will be equipped to thrive in school after a year at home alone.

Going Back to Primary School

It's Your Next Step

Want to help a child starting school soon? Whether your own or one in your Church? Then this small guide will show in simple language what they can expect, and how they don't need to be afraid because God is always with them.

Starting school is a big milestone in a small child's life, and It's Your Next Step provides children and their parents/carers with an opportunity to work through any issues or anxieties. With a pull out section for the child to complete alongside the adult booklet, It's Your Next Step helps to promote healthy conversation about school and learning. It is ideal to give out to parents/carers at toddler groups, or within church children's group contexts.

Click here to find out more.

Pens Special Starting School

Squiggle and Splodge, the youngest of the Pens characters, are due to start school and Splodge is nervous, and is hiding under the bed covers. With the encouragement of the other Pens, especially Charlotte, who explains that God, their Special Friend, will go with them to school and will help them not to be scared, Splodge finds the courage to go - and has a wonderful day.

Three new characters are introduced - the teacher, Miss Fountain Pen, and two new pupils, Rowena Rollerball and Henry Highlighter, who are both starting school on the same day as Squiggle and Splodge. This new Pens story concludes with five days of Bible readings based on the story of David and Goliath.

Click here to find out more.

Going Back to High School

It's Your Move

It's Your Move! has been given to over one million Y6 children across the UK each year since 2001, as part of a programme helping them make the transition from primary to secondary school.

This revised edition features all-new real-life story profiles and articles, more interactive elements and an updated design.

It's Your Move helps:

• Gives help and advice to children as they make the move from primary to secondary school
• Gives children something fun with which they can remember their primary school
• Provides a starting point for lessons and assemblies about moving on up to secondary school

Click here to find out more.

YP's Guide To Starting Secondary School

New school. New challenge. Starting secondary school can also be a daunting experience. Kids go from being a big fish in a small pond to the reverse, seemingly overnight. It can be especially fraught for young Christians, many of whom are exposed to peer pressure ridicule and find their faith challenged.

This book can help, however. It's crammed with useful advice on leaving primary school friends, preparing well, making wise choices in the early weeks, and building faith and friendships. There is even a page dedicated to surviving parents' evenings and how to get on with your parents!

Click here to find out more.

The Chocolate Teapot: Surviving at School

Should you kick bullies?

What if all your friends swear?

What about girlfriends/boyfriends?

What about God?

Staying in shape when the heat is on isn't easy - ask any chocolate teapot!

So here is some practical help on how to live for Jesus at school. There's help with telling others about Jesus, touching base with other Christians, when you feel you've let God down, and how not to start your career at secondary school. All this wrapped up with fun and humour.

Click here to find out more.

To see even more brilliant resources for Children, visit our Scripture Union store. Scripture Union publishes a wide range of our favourite books and resources for children of all ages.