Back-to-school routines are one of the best ways parents can help children settle into the new term with confidence and ease. As the summer holidays begin to draw to a close, many parents start to think about how best to get their children ready for the return to school. While new uniforms and schoolbags are often top of the list, one of the most valuable things you can do for your child at this time of year is to re-establish strong routines. Good habits built in August and September can carry through the year, helping children settle quickly and approach their learning with confidence.
Early Nights
One of the most effective back-to-school routines is ensuring your child gets adequate sleep. Over the holidays, bedtimes often drift later, and while there is nothing wrong with that during the summer, children benefit greatly from being well-rested when school begins. A regular bedtime and a calm wind-down routine, such as reading a story together or listening to gentle music, can make mornings less stressful and give your child the best start each day.
Read Read Read
Reading is another habit that is worth giving attention to. Encouraging your child to read a little each day, whether it is a storybook, a comic, or even a recipe, helps maintain and strengthen comprehension skills. Asking questions about what they have read, or inviting them to predict what might happen next, can also build those all-important skills of inference and critical thinking. These are the skills that not only help in English lessons but across the whole curriculum.
Homework Routine
Homework is another area where habits matter. It is useful to establish a regular time and place for homework, free from distractions such as television or mobile devices. Some children work best straight after school, while others may need a short break before they can focus. By experimenting and finding the right rhythm for your child, you can avoid battles and instead make homework a manageable part of the routine.
Confidence is Key
Confidence plays a huge role in children’s learning. Children who believe they can succeed are more willing to take on challenges, persevere through difficulties, and bounce back when things go wrong. As parents, you can support this by praising effort as much as achievement. Comments such as “I can see you tried really hard on that” or “You didn’t give up, well done” teach children that persistence is valued and mistakes are part of learning.
Promote Independence
Alongside reading and homework, it is important to give children opportunities for independence. Asking them to pack their school bag, organise their PE kit, or help prepare their lunch can foster responsibility and self-management. These small daily habits help children feel capable and prepared, which carries over into their schoolwork.
Curiosity is Key
Another valuable habit is encouraging curiosity. Taking an interest in the world around us—whether by noticing patterns in nature, looking at road signs together, or chatting about something in the news—creates natural opportunities for learning. Asking open-ended questions such as “Why do you think that happened?” or “How could we find out the answer?” helps children develop problem-solving skills and a love of discover
The Best for Our Kids
Like many parents, I am facing these transitions myself this year. My eldest child is about to start play school, and although I spend my days helping other families prepare their children for school and exams, I am new to this stage as a parent. It has reminded me that no matter what age or stage our children are at, we all share the same hopes: that they feel happy, confident, and ready for the next step.
For families with children in the older years of primary school, routines can also be used to build the skills needed for more demanding work gradually. For example, setting aside a short daily slot for times tables, spellings, or quick-fire mental maths can make a noticeable difference over time. These small efforts add up and help children avoid feeling overwhelmed when topics become more complex.
Balance is Best
Finally, it is important not to overlook balance. Children need time to play, relax, and enjoy themselves outside of schoolwork. Whether that is sports, music, art, or simply playing with friends, these activities contribute to overall wellbeing and resilience. A child who feels rested and happy is far more ready to learn than one who feels pressured or exhausted.
By introducing strong back-to-school routines that encourage curiosity and balance work with play, children can begin the new school year with confidence and clarity. Whether your child is starting play school, Primary 3, or preparing for the Transfer Test, the habits you put in place now will help them feel secure, capable, and ready to achieve their best.