August 26, 2025

Back-to-Routine Reset: 6 Ways to Ease Back to School Transitions

Jennifer Horner, Director of Education Development

The back-to-school season can feel like a roller coaster—new classrooms, new schedules, big feelings. That’s normal. The goal isn’t a perfect first week; it’s a steady glide path. Use these quick wins to help children (and adults!) find their rhythm.

1) School-Night Sleep Routine

Parents: Shift bedtime 10–15 minutes earlier every night until you land on your school-year schedule. Build a calm 20–30 minute routine (lights low, bath, book, snuggle). Avoid bright screens for the last hour.

Teachers: Expect sleepy bodies the first weeks. Plan extra movement and outdoor time early in the day and a short calm-down after lunch.

Try this: Keep a small “quiet basket” (books, puzzles, fidgets) for the 30 minutes before bed or rest time.

2) Make Mornings Predictable

Parents: Post a visual schedule (pictures work!) for: potty → clothes → breakfast → brush teeth → shoes → backpack. Create a “launch pad” by the door for backpack, water bottle, and coat. Pack lunches and pick outfits the night before.

Teachers: Establish a welcome routine: greeting → find your cubby and put your things away → wash your hands → pick a center.

Consistency lowers anxiety.

Tip: Offer two good choices, when possible, to give them moments of control (“red socks or blue?”) to reduce power struggles.

3) Use a Short, Honest Goodbye

Sneaking out increases worry.

Parents: Keep it brief and predictable: “I’m leaving now. I’ll pick you up after snack. One hug and high-five.” Then go.

Teachers: Acknowledge feelings, then bridge to the next activity: “You’re sad to say goodbye. Let’s go see what fun things are in the sensory bin.”

Comfort items are okay. Loveys and blankets are developmentally appropriate. Label them and provide them for children when they need extra moments of comfort from home.

4) Connect Through Books & Play

Stories help children rehearse new experiences.

Parents: Read transition-themed books if school is a sensitive topic. Afterward, role-play arrival, goodbye, and pickup.

Teachers: Utilize the family-photo display in your classroom; asking each child about their families, pets, etc., to build your bond with each child.

Book ideas: My First Day at Doodle Bugs!, The Kissing Hand, The Pigeon Has to Go to School?, Llama Llama Misses Mama.

5) Ask Specific Questions for More Meaningful Post-School Conversations

Parents: Prepare a snack-and-chat reconnection ritual after school or at family dinner time (best part, hard part, something you’re excited about).

Teachers: Share, at minimum, one positive note daily so families know what to revisit at home and strengthen the home-school connection.

6) Build Independence with Small Jobs

Parents: Let children pack one item (blanket, water bottle) and carry their own backpack.

Teachers: Assign jobs (weather helper, napkin placer at lunch). Jobs create belonging and routine.

Quick Reference: First-Two-Weeks Checklist

☐ Gradually shift bedtime to school schedule in small steps

☐ Visual schedules posted at home and school

☐ Predictable goodbye script chosen and practiced

☐ Comfort item labeled, and expectations set

☐ Family photo sent to class

☐ Simple after-school reconnection ritual in place

When It’s Still Bumpy

Give it two or three weeks. If worries stay high, talk with your teacher about patterns you’re seeing and try one focused change at a time (earlier bedtime, shorter goodbye, or a new arrival job). Small, consistent tweaks beat big overhauls.

Bottom line: Be patient, be predictable, and be kind to yourself. Routines don’t click on Day one—they settle with practice, relationship, and time.