How To Prepare Kids for School

Summer has a way of making things a little loosey-goosey. Bedtimes drift. Mealtimes are more flexible. Fun and sun fill the days.

Put it all together, and school can feel very far away.

But as a new school year approaches, a little planning can go a long way to helping you set your kids up for success, says family medicine physician Eric Boose, MD.

Dr. Boose shares his best tips for preparing for back to school.

9 tips to prepare your child for back-to-school

Every child approaches a new school year differently. Some are counting down the days until they see their friends again. Others may be feeling nervous about new beginnings.

A little preparation can help ease the transition. Dr. Boose recommends these strategies to help your child start the school year feeling confident and ready to learn.

1. Reset sleep schedules

If summer has meant later bedtimes and later wake-up times, don’t wait until the night before school to make a change.

“Good sleep is essential for learning and for your child’s health,” Dr. Boose says. “When kids are well rested, they’re better able to absorb new information, stay focused and perform their best in the classroom.”

Kids ages 5 to 12 need nine to 12 hours of sleep. Teenagers should aim for eight to 10 hours to function at their best.

If their summer sleep routine isn’t in line with the school day, Dr. Boose recommends adjusting their sleep schedule at least a week before classes. If a significant change is in order, ease into it over the course of two or three weeks by pushing bedtime up about 15 minutes every two or three days.

2. Practice the morning routine

Getting ready for school in the morning can be hectic, especially if everyone is out of practice.

In the week before school begins, go through the full morning routine with your child. That includes:

• Setting an alarm
• Waking up on time
• Getting dressed
• Eating breakfast
• Packing their backpack
• Practicing morning hygiene, like showering and brushing their teeth

“Start walking through what the morning looks like,” Dr. Boose advises. “Practice everything that needs to be done and when it needs to happen to be ready for school on time.”

A little rehearsal can help reduce first-day nerves and make those early mornings feel more manageable.

3. Plan ahead for school meals

School schedules can sometimes mean unexpected mealtimes. One child may eat lunch before 11 a.m., while another may not eat until midafternoon. So, it helps to know your child’s schedule and plan accordingly.

“If they have an early lunch period, they may not need a big breakfast,” Dr. Boose points out. “If lunch comes later, packing a mid-morning snack can help get them through the day.”

Before school starts, start stocking the fridge and pantry with school-friendly breakfasts, lunches and snacks. Aim for a mix of protein, carbohydrates, fruits and veggies to help keep your child fueled throughout the day.

Consider bringing your child along for the shopping trip and allow them to pick out a few things they’d like to eat at school. That can help make sure you’re choosing foods they’ll actually eat and help them get excited about going back to school.

And don’t forget hydration. If your school allows, plan for your child to carry a water bottle at school. Sipping throughout the day can help them feel less hungry and more alert.

4. Shop for supplies together

For many kids, picking out a pencil case, backpack or a new pair of shoes helps make the new school year feel like a fresh start.

“The newness of some clothes or supplies can help kids feel excited about going back to school,” Dr. Boose acknowledges.

As a bonus, shopping early can help you avoid scrambling for hard-to-find items at the last minute.

5. Talk about back-to-school worries

Even children who are excited about school can have concerns. Maybe they’re worried about a new classroom, making friends or finding their way around a new building. Some kids may also carry anxiety from challenges they faced the previous year.

Before school starts, make time for an open conversation.

“Ask what they’re excited about and what they’re nervous about,” Dr. Boose recommends. “Take the time to talk it through.”

Listening without judgment can help you better understand what your child needs and identify ways to support them.

6. Discuss goals

Dr. Boose also encourages parents to spend some time talking with their children about their hopes and expectations for the year.

For younger children, goals may revolve around making friends or joining activities. Older students may be thinking about extracurriculars, electives or even future careers.

“You can ask about what they’re looking forward to and what they could use your help in achieving,” he suggests. “Those conversations can help children feel more invested in the year ahead and remind them that school is about more than grades.”

7. Make the school feel familiar

If your school offers an open house, orientation or meet-the-teacher event, try to attend.

“Anything you can do to make the environment more familiar before they see it on day one can really be helpful,” Dr. Boose says.

For younger children, that might mean meeting their teacher, finding their classroom and seeing who’s in their class. For older students, it could mean walking the halls through their schedule and practicing opening their locker.

8. Get their brains back in learning mode

Summer is important for fun and relaxation. But long breaks from academics can make the transition back to school a little harder.

“There’s something called the ‘summer slide,’” Dr. Boose explains. “Kids can forget things they’ve learned if they aren’t keeping up with their academics over the summer.”

Reading is one of the best ways to help children stay engaged. If your school provides a summer reading list, encourage your child to choose books that genuinely interest them. If they struggled with a particular subject last year, reviewing some material before school starts can help boost confidence and lower anxiety.

The goal isn’t to turn summer into school. It’s simply to help shift their brains back into school mode.

9. Schedule checkups

Late summer is a great time to catch up on healthcare appointments before the school year gets busy. Depending on your child’s needs, that may include:

• Well-child exams
• Sports physicals
• Vaccinations
• Eye exams
• Dental appointments
• Hearing checks

Final thoughts

Back-to-school season is a big adjustment for your kids. But it can also be a big change for parents and caregivers. There are lunches to pack, forms to sign, schedules to juggle and emotions to navigate.

So, as you prepare your kids to go back to school, give yourself some space — and some grace. While you can't predict exactly what the future will bring, helping your child head to class rested, prepared and supported can help set the stage for a successful academic year.