Summer is winding down, and school is just around the corner. The carefree days of summer often mean less structure and more free time, which can make going back to school challenging. Many children stress over a sudden change in routine along with other common back-to-school fears, including social worries (like making friends or following the rules), sensory triggers (bright lights or crowds), and emotional difficulties (feeling overwhelmed by all the sudden changes).
If you use these last few weeks of summer to practice school-ready habits, it can build predictability and confidence. Studies show that gradually introducing transitions reduces anxiety and improves behavior. By starting with small changes now, you can help your child feel ready and less stressed when the school year begins.
Start by talking openly. Ask your child what scares them about school. This builds trust and shows you’re on their side. Keep a journal to track their patterns of behavior. For example, does your child get fidgety during changes?
Tools can help make a difference here. To get started, try a visual schedule planner. It’s a picture chart that shows what’s going to happen next, helping kids visualize the day ahead. These are great for reducing “what if” worries.
For those with sensory sensitivities, try noise-canceling headphones, which block out overwhelming sounds. Use these during practice sessions. They come in fun colors so your child can personalize theirs.
Another helpful item is a fidget toy set. These small gadgets, like squishy balls or spinners, give hands something to do during anxious moments. They are perfect for helping kids stay focused.
Building Daily Routines to Mirror School Days
Routines are anchors for neurodiverse children. In the last weeks of summer, start shaping your days to look like school ones. This helps avoid the shock of sudden changes. Step by step, try a morning routine: brush teeth, get dressed, then a quick walk to mimic going to school. After, have pretend school with short “learning blocks” and fun tasks as homework. Reading for fifteen minutes is an awesome goal. Use rewards, such as stickers for completing steps, to keep it positive.
Wind down with quiet time in the evenings. Ease into changing your evening routine to match the coming school year. This can reduce sleep issues once school starts.
The Time Timer Visual Timer is a clock that shows time disappearing, helping kids see how long tasks last. It’s great for visual learners! Pair it with a kids’ reward chart, where they earn stars for routines. These are silent motivators.
Turn routines into journeys, like “The Adventure of Getting Ready.” When resistance occurs, adjust, slow it down to just one change a day. Over time, this builds independence. Parents often see less morning chaos and more smiles. By the start of school, your child will be used to the routine.
Creating Comfort in New Environments
Sensory prep is crucial for neurodiverse kids, as school can overload their senses with lights, smells, and crowds. Use this time to practice in safe ways, making the real thing less scary. Start by visiting the school. This is a wonderful time to walk the halls or playground to get used to the feel without the hustle and bustle of the day. Chose a time when few people are around. After your visit, recreate the scene at home. Set up “school zones” that match what you saw at school, like a desk with bright lights to mimic the classrooms.
For tactile senses, create sensory bins with items like rice or fabric to practice textures. Gradually introduce school supplies, like holding pencils or wearing backpacks. This helps kids with sensory processing disorders build tolerance.
Try using a weighted blanket to provide deep pressure (like a hug) to help your child remain calm during practice. Weighted blankets weigh 5-10 pounds and are perfect for reducing anxiety. Another item that can help is a sensory chew necklace. Chewelry are safe, chewable jewelry for oral sensory needs.
Incorporate all the senses during practice: play sounds you many hear at the school or use pleasant scents in a diffuser for relaxation. Track what works in your journal. With patience, these steps create comfort, turning unknowns into familiars.
Practicing Social Skills and Emotional Regulation
Social skills and emotions go hand in hand for neurodiverse kids heading back to school. Start with role-play: act out saying hello to a teacher or sharing toys. This builds confidence, clarifies social cues, and teaches impulse control.
Try small playdates with one friend to practice turn-taking. Use board games to discuss winning and losing. Emotional regulation means teaching ways to calm down, like deep breaths or counting to ten.
You can also spend some time with emotion flash cards that show faces to help your child learn to identify moods. Do this daily and in the evening have check-ins to talk about feelings and how the day went. This sets the stage for the school year where you can encourage your child to share their day with you. Over time, it becomes a ritual and an awesome moment to connect with your child, allowing them to share their feelings and build resilience.
Academic Warm-Up
Use the last weeks of summer to gently warm up for academics. Focus on fun, short sessions to avoid stress, like ten to fifteen minutes. Read books aloud or do puzzles. Incorporate learning into play, like counting during typical tasks. This promotes focus and processing. We recommended a dry-erase workbook set for reusable practice.
Slow and steady works wonders. Stay flexible and positive. With routines and prep, transitions can be smooth. Celebrate progress and embrace the new school year!
