How can I help my child have a strong start this school year?
Starting the School Year Positively: Tips from a School Psychologist
It’s back-to-school time again…
And you might be wondering, “How can I help my child start the year off on the right foot?” The beginning of a new school year can be exciting, nerve-wracking, and everything in between—for both kids and parents. Dealing with new teachers, new classmates, and new routines can feel like an impossible task, especially if your child is prone to anxiety or has had challenges in past school years.
The good news? A smooth start doesn’t have to be left to chance. With a few intentional steps, you can set the tone for a confident, connected, and successful year.
1. Establish Consistent Routines at Home
Kids thrive when they know what to expect. Predictability reduces stress and helps them focus on learning rather than worrying about what’s next. As a parent, however, it can be hard to know where to start.
Practical tips:
Start early to prioritize sleep: Slowly shifting bedtime and wakeup times to the school schedule over the course of a week can help make the transition a little smoother. Try moving the wake-up time back 10 minutes per day for 5-6 days before school starts to ease into the new schedule.
Create a consistent, simple morning routine: Building habits takes time, but following the same order of events every day - something like “Wake up, eat breakfast, brush teeth, get dressed,” - can help build independence.
Consider hanging a few visual aides near the door: For kids who can read, posting a couple of checklists (“My morning routine,” and “My backpack is ready when…”) can boost their memory. For kids who are not readers, print a picture of what they look like when they are “ready to go” (hair fixed, shoes and jacket on, carrying backpack).
2. Build Positive Communication with the School
Strong parent–teacher partnerships help kids feel supported both at home and at school. You know your child best, and you can take the first steps to build that connection.
Ways to connect:
Find out how your child’s teacher prefers to communicate (email? app? phone call?), and send a short, friendly message sharing your child’s strengths and what helps them succeed.
If possible, attend back-to-school nights or parent orientations.
Share successes—not just struggles—throughout the year, and let the teacher know you’d love to hear about school successes, too.
Keep communication respectful, clear, and solution-focused.
Remember, teachers are people, too. They are in their role because they want your child to succeed, just like you. By offering collaboration, you can share excitement as well as problem-solving.
3. Recognize Early Signs of Anxiety in Your Child
Some nerves are normal, but persistent distress may indicate something more is happening.
Keep an eye out for:
Frequent headaches or stomachaches, especially on school mornings.
Sudden clinginess or refusal to attend school.
Changes in sleep, appetite, or mood.
Loss of interest in activities they usually enjoy.
If you notice these signs, begin by talking with your child about what you’ve noticed in a calm, validating way—listen more than you talk. Ask gentle, open-ended questions about their school day. Send their teacher a short message about what you’ve noticed at home, and ask them to let you know if they see anything similar.
If concerns continue for more than a couple of weeks, you may want to reach out for additional support. Asking the school to connect you with a counselor or social worker can be a helpful next step. You can also contact your pediatrician for their input and recommendations.
4. Manage Your Own Back-to-School Stress
Children pick up on their parents’ emotional states. By working to manage your own stress, you give your child a calmer, more reassuring start.
A few helpful tricks:
Prepare as much as possible the night before—lunches, clothes, backpacks. Anything to reduce the morning chaos!
Practice stress-reducing activities (deep breathing, short walks, grabbing a drink of water or a bite to eat). Modeling healthy coping strategies is a powerful way to support your children.
Connect with other parents for perspective and encouragement. You are not alone!
Making This School Year the Best Yet
Starting the school year off strong isn’t about perfection—it’s about creating a steady foundation, keeping communication open, and caring for both your child and yourself.
If you’d like support navigating school transitions—whether it’s building effective routines, managing anxiety, or finding strategies that really work—I’m here to help.
As a Chicago parent therapist, I offer online therapy and consultation for parents and educators, specializing in school year transitions, child anxiety, and supporting kids with developmental differences. Together, we can help your child feel confident, capable, and ready for the year ahead.
Helpful Resources:
Sarah Gebhardt, Ph.D., NCSP
Hi! I’m a licensed clinical psychologist and nationally certified school psychologist with over 15 years of experience in schools and private practice. I help overwhelmed parents and educators feel more confident, supported, and equipped to navigate and find peace in caregiving.