09/01/2026
Back-to-school season is upon us. Whether you’ve already survived the first week or so, or are about to dive in, it can feel chaotic for many families. But it doesn’t have to.
Take this advice from our board-certified behavior analysts to make things a little easier.
1. No one likes abrupt changes. Gradually adjust routines like wake-up times, bedtimes and daily expectations and then make it consistent and predictable.
2. Practice makes perfect. Rehearse things like walking to school or the bus stop, using lunch boxes, wearing backpacks and unlocking combination locks for lockers. It’s these little details that often get forgotten.
3. Prepare for big feelings. Don’t try to remove the anxiety, sadness or frustration. Instead, listen to your child and validate their feelings of concern or worry.
4. Plan time to reconnect during a busy week, like a family game night, movie night or nightly walks as a family. This communication opens the door for trust and to identify concerns before they become bigger challenges.
5. Read our latest blog to learn more strategies from pediatric specialists to help your child transition back to school, like how to set screen time boundaries, when to incorporate extracurricular activities and the extra support that may help children with special needs. Link in comments.