By Anthony Richards
The return to school brings a lot of newness—new teachers, subjects, classmates and experiences. These changes often stir up a range of emotions, from excitement to nervousness. But there are steps parents can take to help set their children up for a successful school year.
According to Rhonda Rose, assistant superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of St. Augustine, establishing routines is one of the most important steps—and it begins in the weeks leading up to the first day.
“I’m sure that children have been staying up late, sleeping late and eating whenever,” Rose said. “But school is all about getting back to a routine. They should start working on gradually earlier bedtimes and wake-up times until we get to that first day of school.”
Setting consistent mealtimes, especially for breakfast, is also key. Many children sleep in during the summer and aren’t used to eating until around 10 a.m., followed by a late lunch. During the school year, that schedule shifts dramatically.
“They will be hungry by the time they reach that point and will have already been awake and in school for a couple of hours,” she said.
With 36 years of experience as a teacher, principal and now diocesan administrator, Rose said younger students often struggle the most with adjusting from summer schedules.
“Breaking those routines can be especially tough for elementary students, and it can make for a difficult first week due to the exhaustion that comes with schedule adjustments,” she said. “It’s not unlike springing forward or falling back when the time changes—it’s something that can affect you for weeks.”
To ease the transition, Rose recommends creating a family calendar that includes school and after-school events. This helps everyone stay informed and prepared.
Parents can also build routines around finishing summer reading assignments. Setting aside daily reading time and creating a designated study space can help children ease into school-year habits.
“It’s also important for parents to be talking to their children now about the various aspects of school and to let them know it’s OK to be nervous and to have jitters,” Rose said. “Let your children tell you what their concerns and worries are, and let them know it’s normal—that everybody’s going through it.”
Fostering a positive mindset and supportive atmosphere makes a big difference, she added. That support should also include family prayer.
“Tell them to pray for their teachers, their principal and their classmates,” Rose said. “Because when your children take the time to pray for somebody, it makes it more personal—and they are more invested.”
