Carla Niada Stanton-Yonge
Summer is usually filled with long days, outdoor games, trips, and family moments. For children, it represents a break to rest, discover new interests, and grow outside the school routine. However, when the holidays come to an end, the return to schedules, backpacks, and classroom responsibilities begins.
The good news is that a planned transition can make this change much easier for the whole family.
One or two weeks before the start of classes, it is advisable to readjust sleep and meal schedules. Going to bed a little earlier each nite will help make the first day of school not so difficult. It is also a good time to reduce screen time, especially before bed, and replace it with activities like reading, family conversations, or preparing for the new school year.
Involving children in the preparations also increases their enthusiasm. Choosing school supplies, organizing the space where they will do their homework, or packing their backpack allows them to feel part of the process and face the return with greater confidence.
For many families, moreover, this return marks a new stage: the transition from elementary school to middle school or from middle school to high school. New teachers, classmates, and responsibilities can generate excitement and uncertainty. Reminding them that adapting takes time and that they will always have the support of their family provides them with security.
Each child experiences this transition differently. Some eagerly look forward to reuniting with their friends, while others feel anxiety about the unknown. Listening to their emotions, validating them, and offering them reassurance is usually more helpful than trying to solve all their concerns immediately.
The return to school also involves adjustments for parents, who reorganize schedules and family routines. It’s not necessary for everything to work perfectly from the first day. With patience, realistic expectations, and quality family time, the new school year can become an opportunity to learn, grow, and create new memories.
After all, each return to school marks the beginning of a new stage full of learning, challenges, and opportunities to keep growing.
