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Back-to-School Kickoff!

Sharpen those pencils and routines—school's in session! This week, we’re sharing top strategies to simplify morning chaos and help your child feel confident on Day 1.

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ACADEMICS

Pre-Primary (3-5)

Start labelling your child’s belongings! Within a few weeks the lost and found begins to grow and children are often unable to identify their lost items. Have your child practice putting on their velcro shoes and jacket, opening and closing containers and putting their lunch bag in their backpack. Focus on the development of self-care by having your child use the washroom independently while washing their hands sufficiently afterwards.

The Night Before Kindergarten

Primary (6-8)

Your child’s classroom teacher will likely send out information in the first week of school as to which school supplies your child may need. However, on the first day consider sending a few new pencils and an eraser that your child has picked out to build excitement. They might be a little nervous about the academic expectations so gently remind them that school is about learning, having fun, and trying their best.

Remember to label all of your child’s belongings. The lost and found builds quickly in a school and children are often unable to identify their clothing.

Junior (9-11)

As children begin a new school year in the Junior grades, parents can expect to see some significant changes.One of the first changes is physical—students often move from familiar spaces to new parts of the school. This might mean a different floor of the building or a new section of the schoolyard. These shifts reflect their growth and readiness for new experiences. Junior students are becoming more independent, and many are excited to play and interact with older peers during recess. Another key change is class size. Families with children moving from Grade 3 to Grade 4 will notice that class sizes typically increase. While primary classes are capped at 20 students, Junior classes can have up to 31. This change can feel big at first, but teachers are well-prepared to support students through the transition—academically, socially, and emotionally.

Intermediate (12-13)

Spend some time looking over last year’s feedback i.e. final report card or just simply reflecting on the past school year and talk about areas they would like to improve on in terms of academic, extra-curricular and social-emotional goals to help them stay motivated when school starts. Think: What went well? What was difficult? What can you keep doing/change the next time? Be curious, focus on the ‘WHY”- why is this your goal? How will you achieve that? Keep the conversation light and positive. Writing it down makes it more likely to transpire.

Senior (14-18)

Over the summer teenagers are typically on their own schedule - going to bed late and sleeping in, not to mention lots of screen time. This is all about to change quickly! Setting the new routine the week before school starts can help to establish the new pattern and foster a heatlhy mind/body state that is ready for learning as well as adapting to all of the new challenges that come with the start of the school year.

SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL

Pre-Primary (3-5)

Start talking about the new routines. Share how you make new friends. Review how drop off/pick up will work. Visit the school and walk around outside talking about how exciting it's going to be. Here is a great book for your child if they are starting Kindergarten. https://youtu.be/Xhq5bAMSMMY?si=GtMvqZa0H9-uD-Hw. For Senior Kindergarten children, they are comfortable with most of the routines and much more confident walking into school this year. However, we know that there will be a lot of changes that could include different teachers and new kids in their class.

Primary (6-8)

If you notice your child asking more questions about school or showing changes in behavior, it could be a sign that they’re feeling anxious about the upcoming school year. This is completely normal, and there are simple ways you can help ease their concerns.

Start by reminding them of how well they handled new beginnings in the past—like when they started Kindergarten—and talk about the things they enjoyed. Validating their feelings is key. Share a personal story, or one from an older sibling or cousin, about feeling nervous before a big change and how things turned out positively.

If they’re worried about friendships, help build excitement by reminding them that there will be familiar faces in their class, and they might meet new friends who share similar interests like soccer, dance, or art.

A little reassurance and connection can go a long way in helping your child feel more confident and supported as they head back to school.

Junior (9-11)

For a Junior child, having even just one good friend can make a huge difference. Research shows it is not the quantity of friends children have that matters, it’s the quality of even one or two good relationships. You can help your child become better at making and keeping friends by teaching some essential social skills. This first is how to break the ice with kids he or she hasn’t met before. To teach these skills to a child, you must first figure out what the child is already doing right and then what they need to learn to do better. Specific needs vary from child to child and situation to situation. Watch your child in social settings and identify some positive things that they do and identify some of the skills your child needs to learn or use better. If they are open, you can do some role playing. If not, you can create examples that happened at work as kids love hearing real life examples.

Intermediate (12-13)

As children move into the final years of elementary school, they often experience a wave of changes—academically, socially, and physically. Friendships may shift as some pre-teens begin to mature at different rates, both emotionally and physically. This can be a confusing time, so we encourage you to share your own stories of how your friendships evolved growing up. It’s also important not to dismiss their physical concerns—whether it’s a boy feeling self-conscious about his height or a girl navigating the changes in her body, these worries are real to them and deserve gentle validation.

Senior (14-18)

Is your family’s lifestyle set up to support your teen’s healthy habits? It starts with meeting basic needs: sleep, nutrition, and relationships. Model good choices and talk about them—this helps your teen shape their own values. Set a few goals for yourself and share them. Our lifestyles are constantly evolving - reflect and celebrate the good stuff and learning that the summer has brought.

PARENT WELL-BEING

Back-to-School Season: Tips for a Smooth Transition

As the kids head back to school, it’s likely that your own routine will be shifting too. Whether you’re working from home or commuting to the office, the return of drop-offs, packed lunches, homework, and extracurricular activities can bring a new level of busyness. On top of that, many workplaces pick up pace after the slower summer months—so it’s completely normal to feel a bit of added pressure.

To help ease the transition, here are a few practical tips to consider:

Ease into the new routine early: Try starting your school-year schedule a few days in advance. This gives you time to adjust and find a rhythm that works for everyone.
Capture first-day memories ahead of time: Take those cherished first-day-of-school photos over the weekend. Everyone will be more relaxed, and you’ll have time to get the perfect shots without the morning rush.
Plan lunches together: Sit down with your family to brainstorm lunch ideas or even create a fun weekly schedule—like “Wrap Wednesdays.” Thermos lunches are a great option too, especially when you can repurpose leftovers from dinner.
Encourage shared responsibility: Start delegating small tasks to your kids to help them feel involved and valued. Simple chores like setting the table or unloading the dishwasher (even dividing the racks between siblings) can foster teamwork and lighten your load.
Refresh your dinner menu: Create or update a list of easy, prep-ahead dinner ideas to make those busy evenings more manageable.

With a little planning and teamwork, the back-to-school transition can be smoother and more enjoyable for the whole family.

HIGHLIGHTS

Coach of the Week: Rosanna Bottero

Rossana Ipsum
Coach, Lorem Ipsum

Rosanna, a passionate advocate featured in our recent blog, supports parents during major life transitions—whether workplace changes or new school environments. Her thoughtful guidance ensures families feel seen and supported every step of the way.

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