9 Back to School Tips for Parents and Kids

It’s back-to-school season, and the Target aisles are filled with washable markers, double-sided folders, and the smell of fresh pencils. It gets my teacher’s heart all excited. (Don’t get me started on my love for PaperMate pens.) But with the excitement of the first day of school also comes new routines, early start times, and new teachers. My head starts racing about two weeks out. So, rather than having 17 to-do lists all over the house, I simplified the upcoming year to 9 back-to-school tips you can print and have everything in one place.

RELATED: Have a rising kindergartener? I wrote you a parent’s guide to kindergarten.

Table of Contents:

1. Printable list
2. Canva Template for School Piles
3. Sheet Protectors
4. Read this first
5. Establishing a new routine
6. Organizing Supplies and Spaces
7. Preparing Emotionally
8. Healthy Habits and Routines
9. General back-to-school tips

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Printable list

Remembering what I need to do is half the battle. I created this list so you have everything in one place. Please use the Back-to-School list along with the blog post. Both share important information.

Canva Template for School Piles

I created this editable template for you on Canva. We like to put everything in one place the night before so the mornings aren’t rushed. Feel free to change fonts and images to make it better for your family.

Sheet Protectors

You’ll need to trust me when I say you will use these sheet protectors more than you could have ever imagined.

Read this first

The first week of school can be a loooooong one for kids, teachers, and family members adjusting to the new routine. Actually, the first month can feel really daunting. Young children may have an especially difficult time with the adjustment. Use this list of calming after-school activities to help ease into this time of year.

Establishing a new routine

Okay, I am just going to say it. Having a child go from late summer movie nights and endless flashlight tag to waking up at 6 a.m. is nearly impossible. As a former teacher and mom to three older boys, I struggle with this yearly.

Experts suggest we begin prepping kids weeks before the new school year. My children need enough sleep to make it through a long school day, but the reality is that the older they get, the more difficult it is to go to bed at sundown. Here is how I approach gearing into the new school season.

RELATED: If your child has a food allergy and you are unsure where to begin, read this parent’s guide to starting school with a food allergy.

1. Consistent Bedtime and Wake-Up Times

It would be ideal to begin easing into the new bedtime routine and wake-up times two weeks before the school year begins. One way to do this is slowly moving ten minutes earlier each night.

If this doesn’t feel doable for your family, pull back as much as possible to reestablish some bedtime routines that worked last school year. For us, I like to keep screen time mid-day rather than nightly movie nights to bring back our quieter routine.

I suggest getting your child an alarm clock they can use independently before the new school year. Share how to set it, and ask your child which time they would like to test out waking up before the start of school. Talking about the time will help your child prepare for the upcoming bedtime routine.

2. Morning and Evening Routines

Structured morning and evening routines can reduce stress and ensure everything runs smoothly. For example, you can prepare clothes and school bags the night before to save time in the morning.

I have a child that needs one spot to find everything he needs. The night before, we put everything into a pile to grab and go. This tip helps with time management. The bus comes before seven, so there is no time to find a matching pair of socks.

What’s in the pile:

1. Backpack
2. Epi (food allergy)
3. Lunch (add in the morning)
4. Socks
5. Shoes
6. Waterbottle

PRO TIP: If your child prefers to brush after eating, add a toothbrush and toothpaste at the same level as breakfast.

Organizing Supplies and Spaces

Just like creating a pile of everything you need to get out the door, having organized supplies and spaces to come home to is just as important.

3. Back-to-School Shopping

I know. New school supplies can cost a small fortune. Go early! Two weeks before the first day seems to be the sweet spot before the crowds. Ordering online can help stick to what is needed.

Your child will also likely have a list of supplies on the school website. It is typically under a tab called Supply Lists. Having this list printed to cross off as you go is a good idea.

Ask beforehand if your child’s name needs to be on the supplies. Often, supplies get pooled together to be shared.

Top school supply tips:

• Go early
• Order online to stick to the list
• Look at what can be reused from last year
• Use lists found on the school website

TEACHER TIP: Bring supplies to the open house in a bag with your name. This will help the teacher prepare before the first day of school.

4. Creating a Dedicated Study Space

A designated homework station can significantly enhance your child’s focus and productivity. Make sure the space is quiet, well-lit, and free from distractions. I like to offer the boys a hearty snack immediately after returning home. (Some kids will have lunch at 10 a.m.)

If you have an agenda to sign, put an X on the table with painter’s tape or use sticky notes to establish a routine for where to check the agenda each night.

REMEMBER: Don’t overthink this! You do not need to go buy out IKEA. The kitchen table works great to help prepare children for homework time.

5. Labeling and Organizing Supplies

Labeling and organizing school supplies can save time and reduce stress. Use labels to keep track of your child’s belongings and organize supplies in a way that makes them easy to find. I’ve used Name Bubbles, and the sheet lasted me three years.

Preparing Emotionally

Some children are ready to roll into the new schedule and see old friends, while others are apprehensive about new classes, early wakeups, and more school time. Stress levels can vary for different children.

Open houses are a helpful way for children to be reminded about a familiar space. Take a short walk to find the school nurse, lunch rooms, and new classroom.

• Attend open house
• Use your child’s teacher’s name in conversations at home
• Chat about what your child looks for in new friends
• Ask about old friends

6. Talk About the New School Year

Open communication is key to addressing your child’s anxieties about the new school year. Books can help encourage them to express their feelings and reassure them that nervousness is normal. It can also help start important discussions.

7. Social Preparation

Some children find social interactions challenging. Encourage your child to reconnect with school friends or join new groups to build their social skills. The back-to-school book list above has an excellent collection of books about friendships.

Healthy Habits and Routines

With the start of the school year, I want to maintain many independent play habits established during the summer season. Here are two things I focus on going into the new year.

8. What to Eat

Quick pro tip: starting a new school year is not the time to try something new. Provide nutritious meals (that you know they enjoy) and snacks to keep them fueled throughout the day.

Ask your child if they would like to eat school lunch or if they would like to take their own. If they would like to take their lunch, test a few lunchbox meal options out a few weeks before the first day to see if they are truly what your child enjoys.

IMPORTANT TIP: Ask your child’s teacher about any food allergies in the classroom and what you can do to help keep that child safe. Remember, food allergies are life-threatening and should be taken seriously.

9. Physical Activity and Extracurriculars

Physical activity is important! Especially after spending a large part of the day sitting. Encourage them to participate in sports or other extracurricular activities to stay active and engaged. I like to pick one day a week for a scheduled activity and the rest for downtime and playing with neighborhood friends outside.

General back-to-school tips

• Check School Policies
• Review the school’s policies on uniforms, attendance, and communication.
• Ensure you have completed and submitted all necessary forms and documents.
• Stay Organized
• Use a family calendar to keep track of important dates, such as school events and deadlines.
• Set reminders for things like parent-teacher meetings and school supply restocking.

Phew! Back to school feels like a lot because it is a lot. Transitions are never easy and always take a little extra effort to work out the kinks.

Wishing you a terrific school year! As always, I am an email away.