The long days of summer are great for relaxing, staying up late, and forgetting what day of the week it is — but when back to school season rolls around, switching gears can be a challenge for children (and parents, too).
After weeks of freedom, getting back into early mornings, homework routines, and structured days doesn’t always come easy. The good news? With a little planning and patience, the transition doesn’t have to be stressful.
Alex Lawson, Head of Geography has teamed up with Discounts for Teachers to break down simple, practical ways to help your child ease back into school life feeling confident, calm, and ready to learn.
Start by adjusting the bedtime routine before term starts
As the end of the holidays approaches, many children find themselves staying up late and sleeping in — habits that can make the transition back to school challenging.
Re-adjusting your bed routine before the school term starts is essential for setting the tone for a successful academic year. A consistent sleep schedule helps improve focus, memory, and mood, all of which are crucial for learning and staying motivated
Lawson says parents can help children feel more rested and prepared to handle the early starts and hectic days of school life by gradually re-establishing habits before term begins.
“Spend the days before going back to school re-establishing bedtime, wake up and other normal routines. It can be really tempting to do 'one last late night' but that can then set them up to be very tired and off kilter in their first week back.”
Take some weight off their shoulders their first week
During the first week, students are swamped with new material and may feel overloaded. Lawson says: “The first week of term can feel like information overload with new teachers, classrooms, timetables, and expectations,”
At the end of the day, going over new information with them and taking notes together will likely be very beneficial so you know what they need to know as well. “Taking time each evening to sit down with children not only helps them stay organised but also reassures them that their parents are involved and supportive,”
Parents can focus on “creating checklists together or pinning key reminders somewhere visible at home can ease anxiety and ensure nothing important gets overlooked.”
Have specific conversations with them
“How was school?” frequently elicits a one-word response from children, but probing further with meaningful, open-ended questions can lead to genuine dialogue. Lawson says “who made you laugh today?” is one of the many questions you can use “that simply cannot be responded to with the word ‘fine’”.
In addition to improving parent-child connections, asking specific questions allows children to think back on their day, work through their feelings, and express their accomplishments or worries more honestly.
Celebrate their small wins
When parents acknowledge achievements — whether it's academics related or not — it sends a clear message that effort matters just as much as results.
These moments of recognition help children feel seen, valued, and encouraged to keep trying, even when things get tough. Over time, celebrating small wins fosters a growth mindset, teaching kids that progress is worth celebrating and that learning is a journey, not just a destination.
Lawson adds: “As the days are new and overwhelming, it's important to celebrate all the small wins of the first week with them. This could be eating lunch with new people, playing on a team during PE or starting new exercise books neat and tidy.”
