The first day of school comes and goes so quickly. But any parent or caregiver knows that getting into the school year takes a little longer.
Way to Grow’s Programming staff spend their days alongside children and families. They help families navigate changes, build routines, prepare for school, and figure out what to do when something isn’t going quite right.
So, as families start a new school year, we asked our Family Educators, teachers, supervisors, and Programming leaders what they want families to know. You’ll hear from several of them below, and you can meet our contributors at the end of the article.
One thing came through clearly: children and parents don’t have to have it all figured out right away.
Start With the Rhythm of the Day
Ask our educators what makes a difference at the beginning of the school year, and you’ll hear one thing again and again: routines!
Start with sleep. Eveline and Maria both point to the importance of rest. Eveline recommends gradually easing into a school bedtime. As Olivia explains, “Children need their rest in order to be ready to learn.”
Make mornings predictable. Santa suggests a simple visual checklist for things like brushing teeth and getting dressed. Choosing clothes and packing bags the night before can help, too.
Think about the whole day. Nataya encourages families to build routines around before school, after school, and bedtime. Tony agrees and encourages families to keep talking through what the school day looks like.
It doesn’t have to run perfectly. A little predictability can go a long way. And if your family is still finding its rhythm a few weeks into school, that’s okay. Routines take time to build.
Small Details Can Build Confidence
Adults have years of experience with school. Children don’t. Things that seem obvious to us may be brand new to them.
Our educators suggest talking through and practicing a few basics:
- Practice opening lunch containers.
- Make sure your child knows their full name and yours.
- Visit the bus stop together.
- Talk through how they’ll get home each day.
- Make sure they know who will meet them at the end of the day.
These are the kinds of details Nataya, Ariel, and Nichole encourage families to practice ahead of time.
Knowing the plan can make a new day feel a little less new.
A Hard Start Can Still Lead to a Great Year
Crying at drop off, saying they don’t want to go, worrying about the bus, or not making a friend right away are all possibilities. These things are worth noticing, but they don’t necessarily mean something is wrong. Your child may simply need some time to adjust.
“It is perfectly normal for your child to be nervous,” Olivia says. “School can be a big adjustment.”
She also reminds families not to get discouraged if a child doesn’t love school right away or make friends immediately. Some children simply need more time to get comfortable with new people, places, and routines.
And sometimes the worry is very specific. Nataya notes that a child may wonder whether their parent or caregiver will come back. A bus ride can feel like a huge unknown. Talking through exactly what will happen can help make those unknowns feel more manageable.
Parents have feelings about these transitions, too. Children notice how the adults around them respond to school, and our reactions can help shape theirs.
Give the Beginning Time
There’s a lot riding on the first day of school in our imaginations. Our educators would like to take a little of that pressure away.
Ariel reminds families that everyone walks into a new school year with some mix of nervousness and excitement. Take the pictures, she says, and feel confident in your child.
And for the parent wondering if they prepared enough or forgot something, Nataya has a simple reminder: give yourself some grace. You’re adjusting to a new school year, too, and you don’t have to get everything right from the start.
One Programming staff member also emphasized something that matters long after those first day photos are taken. Getting to school every day and on time helps children build routines, stay connected to their classroom, and establish strong attendance habits.
Children don’t need to have school figured out on day one, or even day ten.
They need time to learn the rhythm, and they need adults who listen when something feels hard. Growth often happens little by little, with people around them who understand that.
Meet Our Educators
The Way to Grow Programming Staff who shared their experiences for this article include:
| Way to Grow Programming Staff | |
| Eveline, Family Educator | Maria, Family Educator |
| Santa, Family Educator | Nataya, Family Educator |
| Ariel, Family Educator | Tony, Associate Supervisor |
| Olivia, Lead Preschool Teacher | Nichole, Director of Education |
More From Our Educators
The ideas shared here come from the same experience our Family Educators bring into families’ homes every day and our Preschool Team brings into the classroom.
Want more resources like these? Follow Way to Grow or subscribe to our blog for more “From Our Educators” throughout the year!
Interested in Way to Grow’s free programs and services? Learn more about our work or find out how to enroll.
