26 Jun Helping Your Child Transition Back to School After Summer Break
By Kelly Gillooly, UofL Health – Peace Hospital, System Director of Behavioral Health
The end of summer often brings mixed feelings, excitement for a new school year combined with emotions such as fear and anxiety. Transitioning back to school can be challenging. While it’s tempting to dive in with solutions and advice, just sitting with your child and helping them feel supported can go a long way. Big transitions aren’t easy for anyone. Remember that it may not be perfect and there may be some difficult moments, but there are some strategies you can try to make the process smoother and prepare your child for a successful year.
Here are some tips to help your child navigate and ease the transition.
1. Re-establish a routine
The summer always feels less structured than the school year, with evening sports practices, camps, and clubs at different times. One of the best ways to prepare for the return to school is to gradually re-establish a daily routine. Start a week or two before school begins by setting regular bedtimes and wake-up times.
2. Involve your child in the preparation process
Let them pick out school supplies, choose their outfits, and organize their backpack. This can build excitement for the new school year and help them feel more in control of the transition. For the first day, make sure you have a healthy breakfast planned. Preparing ahead of time can help them start the day with confidence and ease – and lay the foundation for healthy habits that last all year long
3. Get organized
Fall can be busy with music practices, sports, dance, school, and more. Set expectations for when school work and extracurricular activities will take place. Create one calendar where you can see everything coming up to avoid surprises and missed appointments. Take a moment to review your school’s attendance policy—it’s helpful to know what counts as excused or unexcused and how to report absences. Staying informed can prevent issues like truancy or educational neglect down the road!
4. Reestablish study habits
Get back into a study routine that resembles the regular school schedule a few weeks before the first day. After the relaxed pace of summer, the brain needs to shift gears into academic mode. Schedule a few trips to the library, read with your child and help them explore educational material online. This will help them regain focus and discipline.
5. Normalize their feelings
Have open conversations and talk to them about their expectations and emotions. Reassure them that it’s okay to feel nervous. Discuss what they’re looking forward to, what they might be worried about, and ways they can handle any challenges. Share dinner as a family and talk about your day – this is a great way to CONNECT and create a safe space for expressing emotions.
After several weeks of school, if you notice ongoing anxiety, sleep disturbances, frequent complaints of physical ailments (like headaches or stomach aches), or a marked change in behavior, it may be helpful to seek professional support. Early intervention, and individual therapy can provide children with strategies to manage stress, build resilience, and feel more confident in themselves.
If you or a family member ever struggle with feelings of hopelessness, depression, or anxiety you can also call, text or chat 988. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.