World Book Day 2022

Today marks the 25th anniversary of World Book Day. This year's message is 'You are a reader'. 

I'd like to raise awareness that alongside some parents and teachers who dislike this, there may be some confused and anxious neurodiverse students who may need more reassurance. 

While it is a day of fun, a celebration of books, our favourite characters, a change from the normal boring school day. There may be children who struggle with the change in routine, some may not fully understand why the day is necessary. 

Others may be overly anxious about the extra attention drawn to them. Some may have sensory issues with the clothing, if you have brought a new shop brought costume. They may need more time to process the exciting day.

Alternatively your neurodiverse students may just have one of their best days of school from the entire year. Just be aware of the potential issues today could bring. 

My children love dressing up but it has to be completely on their terms. Their first Halloween when they were old enough to fully cognitively participate ended in disaster. They could not cope with the expectation and unsaid rule which states you should dress up. They were completely overwhelmed. 

The next day however, they were so excited and couldn't wait to dress up! 

I learnt one of the most important lessons from my children over this experience. I, the neurotypical parent thought I had prepared them, allowed them time to process, talking about the event for a week before, counting down, building the anticipation. 

To my shame I realised I had actually achieved the opposite, the closer the countdown, the more anxious they got, as they did not know what to expect. The processing in fact did not begin until they were experiencing the day and then the full process overnight, meant that they were raring to go the following day. 

We now have provided them with a dressing up bag stuffed full of amazing costumes, which they are free to dress up in, whenever the mood takes them. They may dress up as Princess Sophia, Fireman Sam, or Catboy, inspired by books they have read. Kira has dressed in a fluffy white jumper before now so she could become the polar bear in a story.

I remember always dressing up as my favourite characters, who no one but teachers had ever heard of, as I was old fashioned in my reading choices. So it was a free for all bullying day. I never learnt my lesson and just chose something that was the 'in' character. I stuck to my principles, and was miserable for it. That was purely over the choice I made, I didn't have an issue with the day itself. 

It is a fantastic endeavour, to encourage the love of reading and imagination, however the extra stress on teachers, parents and for certain children should be acknowledged.

I truly hope your children have a fun filled day on their World Book Day, and if they go against trend, that their peers are receptive to learn about new genres of books they may not have experienced yet.



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