As the weather starts to cool and the days get shorter, it means the first day back at school is right around the corner! And for most parents with elementary students, going back to school means one thing: adjusting to a new routine.
Your kids have probably gotten used to eating whatever they want, going to bed late, and not having a firm order to their days. And while that’s fine (and, let’s be honest, fun) to enjoy over the summer months, the start of school is often a crash back to reality that can be difficult for your little one.
While there is no way to make going back to school 100% perfect, here are helpful tips and tricks for making the transition a bit easier for both parents and children alike!
7 Tips for Getting Your Child Back Into a School Routine
1. Shift Bedtime and Morning Routines (Early!)
Don’t let the first day back to school be the first day of your back-to-school routine! The sooner you start transitioning your child to their new schedule, the better. We recommend that about two weeks before school starts, you slowly start to transition your child to an earlier bedtime and wake-up call.
Do this by:
- Moving their bedtime up in 10- to 15-minute increments
- Waking them up a little earlier every few days
- Sticking to morning routines (like getting dressed and brushing teeth)
- Revisit expectations (such as no screens 30 minutes before bed)
- Following this schedule yourself, if possible!
Ultimately, your goal is to get your child ready for the new routine and not make the transition so harsh on them. Another helpful trick is serving meals around the times they will be getting them in school, and trying your best to mimic what their days are going to look like.
2. Schedule Playdates With Classmates They Haven’t Seen
Oftentimes, our summers get so busy with vacations and family commitments that your kids may not have seen their “school friends” in quite some time. This can make the first day a little difficult because your kids might feel like they have to start all over again with those connections.
Getting together with other parents and planning some fun activities together can make the social aspect of school feel less scary and make kids more comfortable with each other come the first day. Try putting together a craft night, organizing a game, or just hanging out in the backyard!
3. Involve Them in School Supply Shopping
Although it would be much easier to just go to the store with your school-provided list of supplies and get out as fast as possible, a shopping trip can also be used as a beneficial step in getting everyone excited about school.
Try letting your child:
- Pick out their own folders, notebooks, and pens
- Select a new water bottle, lunchbox, or backpack (or all three if needed)
- Decide their first-day-of-school outfit
- Choose a few fun snacks to pack in their lunch
By letting your kids be involved in the decision-making, it lets them feel like they have some level of control. You can talk about all the fun things they are going to learn and projects they get to work on. (With older children, it may be helpful to sit down and talk through their class schedule together.)
4. Start Talking About What They Liked Last Year
Often, back-to-school means talking about all the changes they’re going to experience—like a new environment, classmates, or teachers. For many kids, only focusing on the differences can be overwhelming.
Instead, try talking to them about things that are familiar and enjoyable:
- “Are you looking forward to having Mackenzie in class with you again?”
- “Remember how much you liked the snacks they served at school?”
- “Do you think you’re going to read more books than last year?”
- “How often are you going to use the swings at recess?”
These small reminders will help them worry less about the new and instead get them excited about the old.
5. Warm Up Their Thinking Caps!
Although summer is a great time for rest and relaxation, you’re going to want to warm up your child’s brain before school starts. Now, that doesn’t mean you have to start making flashcards or worksheets—instead, try fun activities that encourage focus and problem-solving, such as:
- Read your favorite books together (or listen to an audiobook in the car)
- Finish a puzzle or paint-by-number
- Build something together, like Legos
- Play an educational game ( like Zingo!, which encourages word recognition)
- For older kids, listen to a podcast or watch a documentary
Remember: This isn’t about intense academic prep; it’s about getting them to use their thinking caps in a way that’s still engaging and fun.
6. Have a Plan for the First Day
After all that preparation, you don’t want everything to fall apart when it’s finally showtime. This is why you need a plan for the first day of school! Know exactly what time you need to be out the door, and make sure to explain to your child the importance of getting up and being on time.
Part of your plan should involve tying up all the loose ends in your child’s preparation. Make sure their backpacks are loaded up with everything they need, pack their lunch the night before, and decide ahead of time what’s for breakfast. The more of these things you plan for, the less likely you are to have a first-day mistake!
7. Be Understanding of Setbacks or Mixed Emotions
While the advice we have given above is a great way to minimize the impact of going back to school, just know that it is normal for children to still struggle. Adjusting to a new schedule isn’t easy for everyone, and the mixture of nervousness and excitement might have your child feeling stressed.
It can make you think that maybe this is just how it’s always going to be—but we promise, it won’t! Remember that children are resilient, and even though they might find the process tough at first, they will be back into their normal routine in no time at all. Make yourself available if they want to talk (and be understanding if they don’t).
Try saying supportive things like:
- “It’s okay to feel nervous about school. Lots of kids feel this way!”
- “Remember how you were scared last year, but felt totally fine by the second week?”
- “I’ll be there at the end of the day so you can tell me all about it.”
- “If something goes wrong, you can always ask your teacher for help.”
- “Is there something I can do to make drop-off less scary for you?”
Need Help Going Back to School?
If you want to make your back-to-school routine even more of a breeze, check out our before- or after-school programs, where we help with transportation to and from local schools. We also offer programs for infants, toddlers, preschool-aged children, and school-aged children. For more information, either contact us today or stop in for a tour of our facility at any time.
