The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson: A Must-Read for Teachers, Parents, and Homeschool Families

Discover how The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson teaches empathy, inclusion, and courage. Explore SEL activities, homeschool ideas, and classroom tips, all in this book reviews.

Why This Book Matters for Families, Teachers, and Homeschool Groups

Children’s books can be powerful tools for shaping hearts and minds. In recent years, searches for social emotional learning books for kids, children’s books about empathy, and diverse children’s books have skyrocketed as teachers, homeschool parents, and families look for ways to build character and connection through literature.

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson is one of the best examples of how a simple picture book can teach courage, empathy, and inclusion. Whether you are a teacher planning inclusive classroom activities, a parent building character at home, or a homeschool family looking for a curriculum that integrates SEL, this book belongs on your shelf.

Why This Book Belongs on Every Shelf

Walking into a new classroom, homeschool co-op, or even a family gathering can feel overwhelming for a child. Will they belong? Will anyone understand them? The Day You Begin gently addresses these questions, reminding children that even when they feel different, sharing their stories can open the door to connection.

This book is more than a beautifully illustrated read-aloud—it’s an SEL resource for classrooms, homeschool curriculum, and family story time. It helps children practice empathy, courage, and relationship-building, aligning perfectly with character education goals at school and home.

About the Book

Author Spotlight – Jacqueline Woodson

Jacqueline Woodson, a National Book Award–winning author, is known for exploring themes of identity, resilience, and belonging. Her lyrical prose speaks directly to children’s experiences while empowering them with hope.

Illustrator Spotlight – Rafael López

Rafael López’s vibrant illustrations bring Woodson’s words to life. His art celebrates diversity and representation, showing children that differences are not barriers but bridges to understanding.

SEL Theme – Inclusion and Embracing Differences

At its heart, The Day You Begin is a book about inclusion, courage, and celebrating uniqueness. These are central to social-emotional learning (SEL) and character education in schools and homeschools.

• Self-Awareness: Recognizing when you feel different.

• Social Awareness: Understanding and respecting diversity.

• Relationship Skills: Building connections through storytelling.

• Responsible Decision-Making: Choosing to share your authentic self.

This aligns with SEL competencies defined by CASEL and meets growing demand for SEL activities for kids in both classrooms and homeschool settings.

Activities That Extend the Story

Hands-on experiences bring stories to life, and The Day You Begin is the perfect springboard for meaningful activities that go beyond the page. Children don’t just need to hear about inclusion and empathy—they need opportunities to practice these social-emotional skills in real and concrete ways. Whether in a classroom, homeschool group, or at the kitchen table, activities tied to this book create spaces where children can share their voice, recognize the value of others, and contribute to a sense of community.

These activities are designed to be simple yet powerful. They invite children to celebrate uniqueness, build empathy, and experience belonging firsthand. By adapting them for classrooms, co-ops, and families, you can reinforce the story’s message across all learning environments and make inclusion a daily habit, not just a lesson.

“About Me” Sharing Circle

A sharing circle gives children a safe space to talk about themselves and listen to others—essential for empathy and belonging.

• Classroom: Gather students in a circle and invite each child to share a detail about themselves—a tradition, favorite food, or hobby. This doubles as an easy first week of school activity for building classroom community.

• Homeschool Groups: Use a “talking stick” to give each child a turn. Encourage peers to ask one follow-up question, building conversation skills.

• At Home: Create a weekly “family circle time” where each member shares something unique. Parents can model vulnerability by going first.

SEL Focus: Builds confidence, develops listening skills, and promotes inclusion.

Community Connection Quilt

A quilt symbolizes unity—individual pieces stitched together to create something whole. This activity turns diversity into a beautiful visual.

• Classroom: Students design squares with words, drawings, or symbols representing their identity. Assemble into a quilt and display as part of inclusive classroom decor.

• Homeschool Groups: Families design squares at home, then bring them to co-op to assemble a “community quilt.” Perfect for a homeschool unit on diversity.

• At Home: Families create their own quilt of traditions, values, and dreams to hang as a reminder of belonging.

SEL Focus: Celebrates differences while strengthening community bonds.

Family Story Time

Sharing stories helps children see that everyone has moments of difference and courage.

• Classroom: Teachers send home a note encouraging parents to read the book and share family stories. Students bring back drawings or reflections.

• Homeschool Groups: Host a co-op “story circle” where families read aloud and share traditions.

• At Home: Dedicate one evening each week to Family Story Time. After reading, each member shares a memory. Capture these in a scrapbook or journal.

SEL Focus: Strengthens family bonds, empathy, and storytelling traditions.

“Welcome Wall”

A visible “Welcome Wall” helps children practice kindness and inclusion daily.

• Classroom: Create a bulletin board where students contribute ideas for welcoming classmates. Rotate weekly to keep it fresh.

• Homeschool Groups: Design a “Welcome Banner” for co-op spaces, adding new languages or symbols regularly.

• At Home: Families create a poster with welcoming drawings and phrases by the front door.

SEL Focus: Encourages proactive kindness and daily empathy practices.

Tips for Parents and Teachers

The conversations that follow a read-aloud are often more important than the story itself. Books like The Day You Begin open the door to authentic discussions about courage, empathy, and acceptance—but it’s the follow-up from parents, teachers, and homeschool leaders that helps children internalize these lessons.

These tips are meant to transform reading into actionable character education. They show you how to make the book part of your classroom routines, homeschool traditions, or family rituals. By pairing the story with open-ended questions and practical applications, you create opportunities for children to reflect, connect, and grow.

The beauty of this approach is its adaptability: a teacher can use it during morning meetings, a homeschool parent can weave it into group time, and families can bring it to life around the dinner table. Wherever the setting, the key is the same—keep the conversation going and model inclusion through your words and actions.

For Classrooms

Teachers can use the book during the first week of school to normalize conversations about differences. Pair it with other inclusive picture books like All Are Welcome.

Discussion Questions for Students:

• How do you feel when you’re in a new place?

• Why is it important to share your story?

• What’s one way to welcome a new classmate?

For Homeschool Groups

Homeschool co-ops are diverse, bringing together families with unique traditions and values. Use the book as a group-building opener, inviting each child to share their introduction story. Establish welcoming rituals to build community.

Discussion Questions for Groups:

• What is something unique about your family?

• How can we make new members feel included?

• How do we show kindness when someone feels left out?

For Families at Home

At home, the book offers parents the chance to model courage by sharing times when they felt different. Children learn empathy by hearing that even adults face these feelings. Families can also create welcoming traditions—like guest baskets or special greetings—that reinforce inclusion daily.

Discussion Questions for Families:

• Can you remember a time when you felt different?

• Who in our community could use a welcome right now?

• What makes our family special?

Reflection for Parents & Teachers

Reflection is where growth happens. Stories spark awareness, but reflection helps us connect those lessons to our own lives and the way we guide children. When adults pause to consider their own experiences of feeling different, excluded, or welcomed, they gain empathy not only for children’s struggles but also for the impact of small acts of kindness.

This step is essential because children learn most from the examples adults set. A teacher who remembers what it feels like to be new is more likely to create welcoming classroom rituals. A parent who reflects on a time they felt excluded will be more intentional about modeling empathy at home. Reflection ensures that the story’s message is not just something children hear, but something they see in action through the adults who care for them.

🛑 Pause and Reflect:

• Think of a time when you felt different. Did kindness—or the lack of it—change your experience?

• How can you use this book to build more inclusive spaces in your classroom, homeschool group, or family?

Final Takeaway

The Day You Begin isn’t just a story—it’s a tool for building empathy and courage across learning environments. For teachers, it sets the tone for classroom community activities where every student’s voice matters. For homeschool parents, it strengthens group bonds and confidence in co-ops. For families, it creates storytelling traditions that foster pride and empathy at home.

By sharing our stories, we take the first step toward belonging. When we encourage children to open up, listen, and celebrate differences, we nurture not only better students but also compassionate citizens.

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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase a book through the Amazon link provided, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend books and resources that I genuinely believe will benefit families, teachers, and homeschoolers.