How to Prepare Your Child for Going Back to School (Without Losing Your Sanity!)
- Steffi Hesketh-Spells
- 5 hours ago
- 5 min read
Can we all agree that the summer holidays somehow fly by?
One minute you’re enjoying lazy mornings, not knowing what day it is and surviving on ice creams and picnics… then suddenly it’s time to hunt for school shoes, discover that last year’s trousers are three inches too short and realise you’ve no idea where the PE bag disappeared to!
Going back to school is exciting for some children, but for others it can feel like a really big deal.
New teachers.
New classrooms.
New routines.
Harder work.
New friendships.
That’s a lot for anyone to get their head around.
As a former teacher (and someone who’s worked with hundreds of families over the years), I can promise you one thing…
The children who settle the quickest usually aren’t the ones who’ve spent the whole summer doing worksheets.
They’re the ones who’ve had lots of reassurance, a bit of routine and adults around them reminding them that they’ve got this.
So, if your child is heading back to school soon, here are a few things I’d recommend.
1. Don’t Leave the Routine Until the Night Before!
We’ve all done it…
Suddenly it’s 10pm the night before school starts and your child, who’s been happily staying up until all hours, announces they’re “not even tired.”
Cue panic.
Instead, start shifting things gradually about a week before school starts.
Try:
Moving bedtime back by 15–20 minutes every couple of nights.
Getting everyone up a little earlier.
Having breakfast at a more normal time.
Swapping late-night screens for a book or a quiet activity.
It doesn’t need to be perfect.
Even small changes make that first Monday morning feel much less painful!
2. Focus on the Exciting Bits
When children are worried, our instinct is often to ask:
“Are you nervous?”
Instead, try asking things like:
“Who are you most looking forward to seeing?”
“What’s going to be the best thing about moving into your new class?”
“Which subject are you excited for?”
“What are you hoping to learn this year?”
It gently shifts the focus onto the positives.
Of course, if they do tell you they’re worried, don’t rush to fix everything.
Sometimes they just need to hear:
“I get it. I’d probably feel a bit nervous too.”
Feeling listened to is often far more powerful than having all the answers.
3. A Little Bit of Practice Goes a Long Way
Please don’t feel like you need to spend the last week of the holidays recreating school at your kitchen table.
Children need a break.
That’s exactly what the holidays are for.
But… doing a little bit here and there can really help boost confidence.
For younger children, that might be:
Reading together before bed.
Playing number games.
Practising times tables.
Writing postcards to grandparents.
Doing a bit of baking and measuring ingredients.
For older students:
Reading a few chapters of their English text.
Brushing up on maths skills.
Watching a science video on YouTube.
Looking back over last year’s notes.
Fifteen or twenty minutes is plenty.
If everyone is getting fed up… stop!
Learning should never end with everyone in a bad mood.
4. Check the Uniform… Now!
Can I let you into a little secret?
Children have a habit of growing when you’re not looking!
Don’t leave trying on uniforms until the Sunday evening before school starts.
Ask me how many parents I’ve spoken to who’ve discovered shoes suddenly don’t fit… 🙈
A few days before school starts, check you’ve got:
Uniform that still fits.
School shoes.
PE kit.
Backpack.
Pencil case.
Calculator (if they need one).
Water bottle.
Lunch box.
Trust me… future you will be very grateful.
5. Let Them Do More Than You Think
It can be tempting to do everything for them because it’s quicker.
I get it.
But children grow in confidence when they feel capable.
Depending on their age, encourage them to:
Pack their own bag.
Tick things off a checklist.
Set an alarm.
Fill their water bottle.
Organise their homework.
Check they’ve got everything ready the night before.
Will they occasionally forget something?
Absolutely.
Will they learn from it?
Usually!
6. Don’t Put Too Much Pressure on September
I think social media has a lot to answer for sometimes.
It can feel like everyone else’s children are walking into school perfectly organised with colour-coded folders and a five-year life plan.
Reality?
Most families are just trying to remember whether it’s PE on Tuesday or Wednesday.
The first few weeks aren’t about perfection.
They’re about settling in.
Focus on:
Building confidence.
Creating routines.
Celebrating effort.
Encouraging curiosity.
Getting everyone through the mornings with matching shoes.
Everything else will come.
7. Keep an Eye on How They’re Really Feeling
It’s completely normal for children to be tired or a little emotional during the first couple of weeks back.
But if they’re still really struggling after they’ve had chance to settle, it’s worth digging a little deeper.
Things to look out for include:
Saying they’re “stupid” or “can’t do it.”
Becoming anxious every morning.
Avoiding homework.
Losing confidence.
Complaining of tummy aches before school.
Getting upset over work they used to manage.
Sometimes all they need is a little extra support before those worries become much bigger.
8. Celebrate the Little Wins
Not every success comes with a certificate.
Celebrate things like:
Being brave.
Making a new friend.
Putting their hand up.
Completing homework without an argument.
Trying their best.
Walking into school with a smile.
Confidence doesn’t appear overnight.
It grows one little success at a time.
One Last Thing…
If the first week back feels a bit chaotic…
Welcome to the club.
Someone will probably forget their PE kit.
Someone will leave their water bottle at home.
Someone will remember at 9pm that they need a costume for tomorrow.
It happens.
Please don’t put pressure on yourself to be the “perfect” parent.
Your child doesn’t need perfection.
They need encouragement, patience, cuddles when they’re needed and someone cheering them on.
You’re probably doing a much better job than you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
My child says they don’t want to go back to school. Should I be worried?
Not necessarily.
Lots of children feel nervous before going back, especially if they’re starting a new school or moving into a new year group.
Listen to what’s worrying them, reassure them that those feelings are normal and keep talking.
If they’re still really anxious after they’ve gone back, have a chat with their teacher.
Should my child be doing lots of schoolwork before they go back?
No.
A little bit of reading or practising key skills can be helpful, but the holidays are also for relaxing, making memories and recharging.
There’s no need to spend six weeks doing worksheets!
When should I think about tutoring?
Tutoring isn’t just for children who are struggling.
Some children need help building confidence.
Some want stretching because they’re flying.
Others just benefit from having someone explain things in a different way.
If you’ve got that little feeling that your child could do with some extra support, it’s always worth having a conversation.
How We Can Help
At Steffi Hesketh Tutoring, we know every child is different—and that’s exactly how it should be.
Our team of qualified UK teachers supports children from Primary right through to A-level, helping them build confidence, enjoy learning and achieve their potential.
Whether your child needs a confidence boost, help filling a few gaps or support throughout the school year, we’d love to help.
We offer:
Free 30-minute 1:1 trial lessons
Qualified UK teachers
Online 1:1 tuition and small group classes
Primary, KS3, GCSE, IGCSE and A-level support
Friendly tutors who genuinely care
If you’d like to find out more, we’d love to chat and help you find the right tutor for your child.
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