15 First Day of School Tips to Ease the Jitters

Preparing your child for the first day of school can greatly reduce separation anxiety and fear of the unknown. Here are 15 first day of school tips to help your child transition smoothly – plus a free checklist you can print and stick on the fridge.

The first day of school is a big day for you and your child. Whether your child is going to preschool, TK, or Kindergarten, the first day means a new environment, new friends, and a new routine — oh my!

The good news? You have all summer to get your child ready for the first day of school. These first day of school tips will help you prepare your child emotionally and pay special attention to his social-emotional skills so he can make friends and feel confident in a classroom setting.

To avoid your child crying at drop-off and clinging to your leg for dear life, here’s exactly what to do.

Quick Checklist: First Day of School Prep

• Adjust sleep schedule 1–2 weeks ahead
• Practice the morning routine at least 3 times
• Do a dry run of drop-off (or the bus stop)
• Shop for school supplies together
• Tour the school and meet the teacher if possible
• Read a few first-day-of-school books
• Pack a comforting item in the backpack
• Lay out clothes and pack lunch the night before

Start Adjusting Your Child’s Sleep Schedule

A sleepy child equals a grumpy child; you don’t want a groggy, exhausted child on the first day of school.

If your child is used to going to bed late and waking up late, start adjusting his sleep schedule a few weeks before the first day of school. Move bedtime up by 15 minutes each day until your child is able to wake up at the desired time in the morning.

A well-rested child is a happy child. An early wake time gives your child enough time to eat a healthy breakfast and go through the morning routine at his own pace.

Even though having your kid wake up early sounds like a horrible idea, it’s better than rushing him through the morning routine and being sleepy and hangry by the time he gets to school.

Practice the New Morning Routine

Kids thrive on routines because knowing what to expect gives them a sense of security. A morning routine allows children to learn how to take care of their own responsibilities (e.g. get dressed, brush their teeth, etc.) without you bossing them around. The last thing you want is an epic power struggle with your kid minutes before you need to leave for school.

Practice makes perfect! Establish the new morning routine at least a few times before school starts to prepare your child mentally and build healthy habits.

Click here for a handy visual Ready for School Checklist that you can post on your wall for your child to follow!

Practice Pick Up and Drop Off

Just because you are out the door doesn’t mean you’re done for the morning. Walk or drive your child to school and practice the drop-off. Show your child where you’ll be dropping him off and where he should go after mommy leaves. Then show him where you’ll be waiting after school lets out.

Practicing drop-off is especially important if your child has separation anxiety — he needs to know that getting dropped off at school means mommy is going to go away, and come back.

If your kid is taking the bus, rehearse getting to the bus stop and riding the bus. Many schools offer a “First-Time Rider” program that lets kids meet the bus driver, practice boarding from the bus stop, and get off the bus at the end of the day.

Remember: the less unknown, the more confident your child will be on his first day of school.

Shop for School Supplies

Permission to spend money? Yes, please! Your child will be thrilled to have a say in what school supplies he gets to use. Some essentials to get his input on:

• Lunchbox
• First Day of School Shirt
• Fun pencil box
• Backpack

Your child will be so excited to use all his new things and show them off to his friends on the first day.

Fun add-on: turn supply shopping into a themed afternoon – pair it with a batch of easy back to school crafts so your child can decorate a pencil box or make a first-day sign to go with the new gear.

Act It Out

If your child loves pretend play, this is the perfect chance to act out a typical day at school. Set up a pretend classroom at home and play teacher so your child gets used to sitting at his desk and listening during “class.”

Instead of a typical lunch at home, pack your child’s lunch in his lunchbox and pretend you’re having lunch at school. This way he can practice opening the lunchbox, getting out his food, and eating independently.

Make Friends Before School

If you see neighbors with kids around your child’s age, chances are they’ll be going to the same school. Introduce yourself and set up a playdate. Your child will feel much more enthusiastic about school knowing his friends will be there too.

If you’re having trouble finding neighborhood kids, try reaching out on social media. Your town or neighborhood may have Facebook pages where you can post a request for playdates. Don’t be shy – plenty of moms in the same boat will be happy you asked!

Play at the School Playground

You may not get access to the classrooms or indoor facilities, but when school isn’t in session, you can take your child to the school playground for some afternoon or weekend fun. Better yet, plan a playdate with your child’s new friends there.

Associating school with positive emotions boosts your child’s confidence and makes him look forward to the first day.

Tour the School

If possible, schedule a time for you and your child to visit the new school. Your child can peek at his new classroom, the gym, the library, and other facilities he’ll use throughout the year. It also gives you a chance to ask staff any questions or express any concerns.

Touring the school should be exciting – don’t be surprised if your child asks to go back after the tour!

Meet the Teacher(s)

When people ask me how I choose a preschool for my kids, I always say the most important thing is the teacher. It doesn’t matter if the school has state-of-the-art facilities or the most advanced teaching software – what makes or breaks how much your child enjoys school comes down to the teacher.

Have your child meet his teacher on the tour or another day when the teacher is available. Most schools have a back-to-school night or a teacher meet-and-greet specifically for this purpose.

Have the teacher spend a few minutes with your child so they can get to know each other. Ask the teacher to show your child around the future classroom and encourage him to ask questions.

You should talk to the teacher too. Let’s face it, you’re probably more nervous than your child! Ask for any advice or tips. Knowing your child is in good hands will put your mind at ease.

Read Books about the First Day of School

Reading illustrated books about the first day of school helps your child imagine and mentally prepare. I recommend reading these throughout the summer so your child feels well-prepared by the big day.

Countdown to the First Day of School

Just like counting down to Christmas, you can count down to the first day of school with your child! Use a printable calendar, mark the first day, and cross off each day as it passes.

I recommend planning special days and marking them on the calendar so your child has a visual of what’s coming – like a day to shop for supplies. This gives you a built-in checklist, and your child will hold you accountable for doing everything on schedule.

Don’t forget to mark the school tour and teacher meet-and-greet too! And while you’re printing out the calendar, grab a set of free back to school coloring pages. They’re an easy, low-prep way to keep your child excited (and occupied) as the countdown ticks down.

A good book to read about counting down to the first day:

Prepare the Night Before

Rushing to school on the first day is no way to start off the year.

Set up everything your child needs the night before so the morning goes off without a hitch. Make sure to involve your child in the process! Things to do the night before:

• Lay out the first day of school outfit
• Pack the backpack with school supplies
• Prep as much of breakfast and lunch as possible

Pack a Comforting Item

Your child may be anxious about being away from you. Have him bring something comforting – a teddy bear, a family photo – in his backpack so he can take it out whenever he misses you.

Make the First Day of School Special

The big day is here! Start it off with a breakfast of your child’s choosing. Be positive (despite your own nerves) and praise your child on how great he looks and how much fun school will be with his friends.

Start a “First Day of School” tradition by taking photos with a personalized sign that captures your child’s grade and current interests. A reusable chalkboard sign works great and you can reuse it every year.

Talk to Your Child

When all is said and done, what really matters is how your child feels about the first day. Talk to him about his feelings. Ask what questions he has about starting at a new school and meeting new friends.

Prepare Yourself

Sometimes we’re more nervous than our children about the first day of school. If you’ve done everything above (and possibly more), you’ve done all you can to prepare your child for this milestone.

Smile! Going to school is a big milestone, and it’s time for him to exercise his independence. Hey, do you hear that? That’s right – silence in the house. Relax, enjoy your alone time, and check off some self-care items on your list. Before you know it, it’ll be time for pick-up!

Homeschooling instead this year? These tips still apply for easing first-day nerves, but you’ll want a different game plan for structure and supplies. Check out 15 back to school ideas for homeschoolers for homeschool-specific prep.

FAQ

What should I do the night before the first day of school?

Lay out your child’s outfit, pack the backpack with supplies, and prep as much of breakfast and lunch as you can. Keep the evening calm and predictable – read a first-day-of-school book together and stick to the regular bedtime routine.

How do I get my child ready for school in the morning?

Practice the full morning routine – waking up, getting dressed, eating breakfast, brushing teeth – at least a few times before school starts. Kids do best with routines they’ve already rehearsed, so a dry run (or two) makes the real morning far less stressful.

How far in advance should I start preparing my child for school?

Start adjusting sleep schedules and practicing routines about 2–3 weeks before the first day. That gives enough time to shift bedtime gradually and rehearse drop-off without cramming everything into the final week.