Back-to-school tips for families

Evenings are getting shorter, your house is full of half-finished summer projects and sand is a permanent feature of the car’s carpet. It can only mean one thing – school is just around the corner. Take a deep breath, set your morning alarms, and get ready with these back-to-school tips…

Hack your routine

Whether your kids are going to school for the very first time, or excitedly returning after a summer of fun, the change in routine can be a big transition. Get ahead of the game by starting new schedules early, giving kids a chance to adjust without the exhaustion of the first days at school.

Get the big three sorted first: sleep, snacks, and stuff. If your kids’ bedtime routines have changed over the summer, now’s the time to find a schedule that gets you to school on time. Work out what healthy breakfast will set them up for success, and get them used to packing a bag for the day.

Be prepared

Or at least, that’s what the Scouts say! Though your kiddos might not be heading straight to adventure camp, the motto certainly rings true for parents in late August. The best plan of attack? Break down the never-ending list of things to organise into small, manageable chunks.

Take little ones shopping for new supplies, if they need them. (Here’s our guide to sustainable shopping.) Make sure uniforms fit. Decide how your kids will travel to school. If they’re headed to a new place, give the journey a practise run so they know exactly what will happen on their first day.

Talk about what they might learn and brush up on skills like reading, which might have slipped over the summer. You could also encourage independence by creating a list or calendar of things to pack, like PE kit, snacks and books, that they can consult each day.

Check-in with your child

Going back to school can be an emotional time, so make talking a regular part of your routine. Ask your kids how they’re feeling about the transition. (Here’s why heading outside could make that conversation easier.)

Reassure them that nerves are normal, and help them focus on the positives. That could be seeing their friends (or making new ones), learning new skills and getting involved with hobbies.

If they still seem anxious, ask what they’re worried about and help them problem-solve to find safe solutions. Reach out to your child’s doctor or school if their concerns seem to go beyond jitters.

Stock up on snacks

It’s true that an army marches on its stomach – and so does a class full of kiddos! Set your kids up with a nutritious breakfast and make sure they have healthy snacks packed for the day. (Here’s how to include ‘brain foods’ to support their growing minds.)

Make sure your child has a reusable water bottle with them (decorate it with stickers to make sure it doesn’t get lost!) and pack snacks in eco-friendly reusable tubs where possible. Kids can also take some responsibility for snack time – try making these fun fruit treats together!

Looking for more fun food ideas or eco-friendly tips? Sign up to National Geographic Kids’ free weekly newsletter for family-friendly activities, advice, good news and more.

Get outside

One of our best back-to-school tips? Plan in some outdoor time. It’ll give them a chance to burn off some energy (promoting those healthy bedtime routines) and encourage bonds with new friends.

Outside time could be a trip to the park after school, a walk in the local wood for some gentle mindfulness, or a kickabout on the field, if your school allows it. And it doesn’t have to take long. Even an extra ten minutes on your journey home will give kids a chance to decompress.

Later on, it can be tricky to balance outdoor play and evening routines with clubs, homework, and screen time. So make the most of being outside while you can. It might help you destress, too!

Help with homework

Whether it’s tricky questions about climate change, maths problems based on a method you never learned, or good old-fashioned spellings, each year brings new challenges for kids (and parents!). Feeling stuck? These handy homework resources are a great place to start.

When their homework’s done, continue to encourage their learning through fun activities and experiences. That could be by playing family games, watching documentaries, chatting about their favourite books, or curling up with the latest issue of Nat Geo Kids magazine.

You’ve got this!

Do you have any back-to-school tips to share? Let us know in the comments, below!

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