Make back-to-school season a breeze with this list of practical tips for families
As the summer winds down and back-to-school season approaches, your family is probably experiencing a mix of emotions, meaning excitement and anticipation may be just as present as anxiety and stress.
Whether it’s concerns about fitting in, worry about increasing academic pressures or simply the life changes that come with starting at a new school, it’s common for kids of any age to feel overwhelmed ahead of that monumental first day. To make the transition as smooth as possible, we’ve put together a list of tips from parents and other experts that will help your family ace this upcoming school year.
1. Establish a morning routine early on
Liora Seltzer, a teacher, parent coach, and professional organizer, emphasizes the importance of figuring out, writing down and practicing a morning routine that works for you before school starts. “You and your kids will need some time to get it right, and you do not want to scramble on the first day of school,” she says. Outline and tweak the routine ahead of time to set your family up for success.
2. Refresh lessons over the summer
Licensed therapist and parenting coach Tammy Gold also recommends using school summer bridge books or other fun, educational activities to keep your kids in the mode of learning new things.
“Even five minutes a day can help prevent kids from forgetting or regressing in what they learned,” she says.
This simple practice can make a significant difference in easing the transition back into regular school assignments.
3. Try physical reminders of school
For younger kids especially, physical reminders of school can be really important. “Drive by the school often, walk around the perimeter, peek in the classrooms, or review school photos,” Gold suggests.
This can help your kids remember their school environment, making the transition less daunting when they have to go back.
4. Maintain social connections
Scheduling play dates or enrolling in summer activities together allows kids of all ages to stay connected to their school friends.
“Keeping these connections strong over the summer can ease social anxieties when school starts again,” Gold says.
Hopefully, the exciting prospect of seeing friends every day again will overshadow some of the nervousness about going back to school.
5. Make a school shopping strategy
School shopping can be both fun and stressful — you don’t want to go overboard, but you also want to make sure your child has what they need. Seltzer suggests buying the necessary items online and then letting your child pick a few fun, personalized extras at the store.
“This is also the time to check if their clothes for the fall still fit and figure out what you need to buy,” she says. Being prepared can prevent last-minute scrambles too close to the first day.
6. Practice important life skills
Try to get into the practice of incorporating life skills your child might need at school into your everyday routine. Seltzer advises finding time to let your younger kids in particular start tying their shoes or putting on their coats now, so they will be prepared to be independent in the rush of the classroom.
7. Keep lunch prep simple and realistic
In addition, Seltzer suggests making a list of lunch and snack options that you know will work for your child, remembering any school-specific rules like no nuts.
“Practice and make sure your kid can open all food containers and packaging on their own. Teachers might offer help, but your child might wait a while before they can get to them,” she notes.
Simple, tested foods are best, and avoiding overly-complicated Instagram trends can save time and stress.
8. Establish good sleep habits
Eva Lassey, a doctor of physical therapy who specializes in working with kids, recommends getting into your school sleep patterns a few weeks before school starts.
“This makes for an easier transition,” she explains.
You can try slowly moving bedtime back by intervals of 15-30 minutes over the course of a few weeks to ensure your child won’t be too exhausted for that first early morning call.
9. Encourage problem-solving
Mom and expert in the field of family development, Taylor Rathus emphasizes the importance of encouraging problem-solving, independence and confidence in children. The summer is a great time for growth and “if something seems difficult or your child is having a hard time with a friend, they can try to talk it out on their own first,” she says.
You will be there for guidance if needed, but leading your kids to work things out on their own builds the resilience and self-reliance that will improve their school experience.
10. Be a source of emotional support
Keeping communication lines open is key to understanding what might be bothering your child and helping them make the best of the school year.
Rathus would encourage parents to start conversations about the transition early, acknowledging that they can be hard, while emphasizing growth and learning over perfect results.
Practicing positive affirmations with your kids is a great way to start, or you can even connect with your child’s teachers in advance if you feel it would be helpful.
11. Managing your own feelings
Dr. Caroline Danda, a licensed child psychologist, highlights the importance of managing your own emotions as a parent.
“Let your child ‘borrow’ your sense of confidence and calm rather than transmit anxiety,” she suggests.
If your child can pick up on the fact that you are stressed, they are more likely to feel the same way. Using the tips from this list will help you feel more ready for the transition too, leading to an atmosphere of calm and confidence in the house.
This story was originally published August 6, 2024 at 1:30 PM with the headline "Make back-to-school season a breeze with this list of practical tips for families."
