Back to School - Planning and Practicing for Success

Written By: Anna O'Connor Morin, Senior Director of Education

Preparing for the school year is essential to help your child feel confident, excited,

and ready to learn. Research shows that children who start school behind often

struggle to catch up, with about 75% never reaching the same level as their peers.

Early preparation, such as building routines, engaging in fun learning activities, and

fostering excitement about school, can make a big difference in your child’s success..

By preparing your child for the school year, you are setting them up for a strong

foundation in learning and life.

Here is a parent-friendly list of ideas to help prepare students for back to school:

Toddler to Pre Kindergarten

Fun Activities to Prepare for School

1. Visit the Zoo or Farm: Introduce your child to animals by naming them, discussing

their colors, and mimicking their sounds. This builds vocabulary and curiosity.

2. Explore Nature: Take a walk outside, let your child touch soft grass, and observe

colorful flowers. This encourages sensory exploration.

3. Play Hide and Seek: Engage in this fun game at home or in the yard to develop

problem-solving and social skills.

4. Splash Pad Fun: Visit a community park with splash pads. Ask your child to count

the spaces where water comes out to practice early math skills.

5. Star Gazing: Sit outside at night and count stars together. This activity fosters

curiosity and early counting skills.

6. Bedtime Reading: Read a book together before bed and talk about family

memories or upcoming school adventures. This builds literacy and emotional

readiness.

Preparing for the First Day

1. Visit the School: Plan a visit to meet your child’s teacher and administrator. Attend

back-to-school orientation to familiarize your child with the environment.

2. Practice Morning Routines: Rehearse getting ready for school, including breakfast

and driving to school, to establish a predictable routine.

3. Talk About Feelings: Discuss your child’s feelings about starting school. Address

any anxieties and share excitement about new experiences.

4. Create a Daily Routine: Establish a consistent schedule for mornings, afternoons,

and bedtime to help your child adjust to the school year.

5. Read Stories About School: Share books about classrooms, learning, and making

friends to build excitement and familiarity with the school setting.

Parental Involvement

1. Join School Activities: Inquire about the parent-teacher association, volunteer

opportunities, and field trips. Stay involved in your child’s education.

2. Establish Communication: Ask the teacher about their preferred communication

method, such as email or a classroom app, to stay informed and connected.

Elementary School

Build Excitement for School

1. Visit the School: Take your child to meet their teacher and explore the school

before the first day. Attend back-to-school orientation to help them feel comfortable

in their new environment.

2. Talk About School: Discuss your child’s feelings about starting school. Share

positive stories about making friends and learning new things to ease any anxiety.

3. Read Books About School: Choose stories about classrooms, learning, and making

friends to help your child feel excited and prepared.

Establish Routines

1. Practice Morning Routines: Rehearse getting ready for school, including breakfast

and the drive to school, to create a predictable and stress-free start to the day.

2. Set a Bedtime Schedule: Create a calm and consistent bedtime routine to ensure

your child gets enough sleep. Limit screen time before bed to help them wind down.

3. Organize School Supplies: Help your child organize their backpack and supplies.

Teach them how to keep their materials neat and ready for use.

Engage in Fun Learning Activities

1. Explore Nature: Take walks outside to observe plants, animals, and the

environment. Encourage your child to ask questions and share what they see.

2. Practice Math and Reading: Create a fun reading list or play games that involve

counting and problem-solving to keep their minds active.

3. Visit Community Spaces: Plan trips to parks, museums, or libraries to spark

curiosity and learning in a relaxed setting.

Encourage Social and Emotional Readiness

1. Talk About Friendships: Discuss how to make new friends and practice social skills

like sharing and taking turns.

2. Model a Growth Mindset: Encourage your child to try their best, learn from

mistakes, and celebrate their efforts to build confidence and resilience.

3. Plan Family Activities: Spend quality time together to strengthen your child’s

sense of security and readiness for new experiences.

Stay Involved

1. Join School Activities: Get involved in the parent-teacher association, volunteer

opportunities, or field trips to stay connected to your child’s education.

2. Communicate with Teachers: Establish open communication with your child’s

teacher to stay informed about their progress and needs.

Middle School

Build Excitement and Confidence

1. Visit the School: Take your child to meet their teachers and explore the school

layout. This can help them feel more comfortable and confident about navigating

their new environment.

2. Discuss Expectations: Talk about what middle school will be like, including new

responsibilities, making friends, and participating in activities. Highlight the exciting

opportunities they will have.

3. Encourage a Growth Mindset: Help your child focus on their strengths and the

importance of learning from mistakes. Celebrate their efforts and perseverance to

build confidence.

Establish Routines

1. Practice Time Management: Teach your child how to use a planner or calendar to

keep track of assignments, activities, and deadlines. This will help them stay

organized and reduce stress.

2. Set a Consistent Schedule: Create a daily routine that includes time for homework,

extracurricular activities, and relaxation. Ensure they get enough sleep and eat a

nutritious breakfast to start the day right.

3. Organize School Supplies: Help your child set up an organizer with sections for

each subject, including a calendar for assignments and space for work in progress.

Stock it with essentials like pens, pencils, and paper.

Engage in Learning Activities

1. Encourage Reading: Create a fun and meaningful reading list to keep their minds

active. Choose books that match their interests and challenge their thinking.

2. Explore Interests: Support your child in exploring hobbies or activities they enjoy,

such as sports, music, or art. This can help them feel more connected and engaged

in school life.

3. Visit Community Spaces: Plan trips to museums, parks, or community programs

that offer sensory-friendly or educational activities to spark curiosity and learning.

Foster Social and Emotional Readiness

1. Talk About Friendships: Discuss how to make and maintain friendships. Role-play

scenarios to help them practice social skills like starting conversations and resolving

conflicts.

2. Provide a Safe Space to Share: Listen to your child’s concerns about middle school

and brainstorm strategies to help them succeed. Reassure them that it’s okay to ask

for help when needed.

3. Encourage Peer Interactions: Arrange opportunities for your child to connect with

peers, such as group activities or community events, to build their social confidence.

Stay Involved

1. Attend Open Houses: Participate in back-to-school events to meet teachers, learn

about classroom expectations, and establish a connection with the school

community.

2. Communicate with Teachers: Maintain open communication with your child’s

teachers to stay informed about their progress and address any concerns early.

3. Support Independence: Encourage your child to take responsibility for their

learning by setting goals, asking for help when needed, and making decisions about

their education.