5 back to school tips for preschool parents

It seems like summer has gone by in a flash, and now it’s time for the kids to go back to school! As exciting as it has been to travel with and have some relaxation time with your kiddos, you may be quite ready to get back into the swing of things. That being said, it’s also completely normal to feel anxious or unprepared for the upcoming back-to-school season.

Fortunately, there are some simple tips you can use to make going back to school a much less stressful process for all involved. Below, we have compiled some of our favorite tips that we have found effective.

get back to your routine early

During the summer, it’s typical for your child’s schedule to change. Whether they’re in summer camp, traveling with the family, or staying at home, it’s likely that they have not been keeping in line with their usual routine while school’s been out.

Children are particularly sensitive to changes in their routine, and they thrive when things are more predictable. Therefore, establishing your new routine earlier can help them ease into the transition back to school. Start waking your child up and putting them to bed at the same time so by the time they are going back to school, their sleep schedule is what it needs to be.

encourage independence

The transition from summer to school is a lot smoother for independent preschoolers. Of course, your child can’t do everything on their own, but they probably can do a lot more than you realize. For example, there are many chores that your preschooler can help with that will help them become more independent, and therefore, more prepared to go to school every day. If you’d like more tips on how to foster independence in your preschooler, check out our previous article on this topic.

talk about school

Make sure to continually bring up school to your preschooler so it doesn’t come as a shock when they have to go back. Throughout the summer, open up the conversation so that they can ask any questions that they might need answered. Also share your positive experiences of school.

There are many picture books designed to help kids prepare for school, so you might consider reading them one of those to open up the conversation.

anticipate emotions

It’s normal for both you and your child to have some anxiety and other difficult emotions about them going back to school. Make sure that you are sensitive to this by giving your child the space they need to talk about what they are going through. Also, confide in an adult who you trust about how you are feeling so you can process your own reaction as well.

keep up with fun rituals

Just because summer is over, doesn’t mean that your family can’t have fun! If all the exciting traditions fall by the wayside when school starts, your child will associate back to school time with the end of fun. Keep up with the activities that you do as a family that are realistic with the school schedule, whether you do a weekly game night or have a special bedtime routine. This will ease the transition from summer to school.

Preschool is an exciting time in a child’s life, and it’s important that you can feel confident in your child’s teachers. At Cy-Fair Montessori School, we have an exceptional reputation as a Montessori preschool in Houston. If you’re looking for a place where your child can thrive, come tour our preschool in Houston today!