Navigating the Back-to-School Transition

It’s August! As much as you want to soak up the last of summer, you’re probably preparing for the start of school too. You’re likely buying new school supplies and awaiting your child’s school schedule. But what about preparing your child mentally and emotionally for school too? If your child spent most of their summer at camp, it’s now time for them to re-learn how to sit still in the classroom instead of running around outside. Or maybe your child has enjoyed late summer nights, and now they need to re-learn how to stick to a traditional school routine. Whatever it is, August is the perfect time to start early and help your child get ready for the new school year. Plus, it’ll make the transition easier for you too. Here are some tips…

1. Re-establish a bedtime routine.
   You were probably more relaxed with bedtime during the summer. Whether it was long pool days, summer barbecues going a little too long, or just having a later family movie night, there were definitely times where everyone stayed up later than they should have. However, your child won’t be able to get back to an earlier bedtime overnight! Try to set your child’s bedtime a little earlier in August to help your child adjust back into the earlier bedtime and early school mornings. For older kids, try suggesting a shut off time for screens. Having everyone, including yourself, get into a routine will be helpful once the first day of school comes. Plus, a good night’s sleep will help everyone deal with those first day of school jitters!

2. Communicate with your child’s school ahead of time. 
   Make connections with faculty, guidance counselors, and teachers in the early school weeks. If there is an issue with transitioning to school, especially for new elementary or middle schoolers, they would be the first to know. Establish a connection with the school so they’re aware of any potential concerns. It’s also helpful for your child to know who they can go to for support, so they feel comfortable speaking up if there is an issue.

3. Set up a structure around homework.
   Establish a dedicated space for homework—a space just for homework that’s distraction-free. Having a designated space for homework can provide a sense of routine, which makes it easier for kids to complete their daily assignments. In addition, set a time for doing homework. Having a set routine around homework time can make the back to school transition easier. You can entice older kids to get on board with a homework routine by taking them to the store and having them pick out a few decorations for their homework space, or organization decor for their desk. This encourages kids to make the space their own and actually utilize it. 

4. Set up a (visual) calendar.
   Back to school usually means back to clubs, teams, and other extracurricular activities. Create a calendar to organize and plan out your family’s activities. It’s preferable to have a written-out calendar, either on a paper calendar or a whiteboard, that everyone in the house can see and use. That way, no one is surprised when soccer practice or a jazz recital comes up. Having your child see what is happening ahead of time can help them prepare for a week full of activities as opposed to the laid back summer of random playdates and camp days. 

Going back to school is rough for everyone, kids and parents alike. Kids don’t want to give up the freedom and carefree attitude that comes with summer. And parents don’t want to nag their kids to wake up early or get into an argument about doing their homework. By establishing a routine early and preparing your family ahead of time, you can smooth the transition back to school—and hopefully make the first week of school more manageable compared to last year!