How to Prepare Your Child for Going Back to School After the Summer Holidays
Simple ways to help your child feel ready for the new school term
The summer holidays always seem to fly by.
One minute you're celebrating the end of the school year, and the next you're wondering where the six weeks have gone, digging out school uniforms and wondering if last year's shoes still fit.
For many families, going back to school brings a mixture of excitement and nerves. Some children can't wait to see their friends again, while others feel anxious about a new teacher, a new classroom or simply getting back into routine.
As parents, it's easy to feel the pressure to get everything "right."
The new pencil case.
The name labels.
The school bag.
But one thing that often gets forgotten is preparing your child's body and mind for the return to school.
The good news?
You don't need to overhaul your whole routine overnight. A few gentle changes in the weeks leading up to school can make the transition much smoother for everyone.
Start Small (You Don't Need to Change Everything Overnight)
One of the biggest mistakes I see parents make is waiting until the night before school starts to suddenly bring bedtime forward by an hour.
For most children, that feels like a huge adjustment.
Instead, think about making gradual changes around two weeks before school starts.
If your child has been waking later during the holidays, begin bringing their wake-up time forward by around 10–15 minutes every few days.
These small adjustments give their body clock time to adapt naturally, making those early school mornings much less of a shock.
Remember, every child is different. Some naturally wake early regardless of bedtime, while others enjoy those slower holiday mornings. There's no perfect schedule—it's about helping your child gently move back towards the routine they'll need for school.
Focus on the Morning First
It might sound surprising, but when it comes to sleep, the morning is often more important than bedtime.
A consistent wake-up time helps regulate your child's internal body clock. Once mornings become more predictable, bedtime usually begins to settle too.
If your child needs to wake around 7am once school begins, gradually work towards that over the last couple of weeks of the holidays.
There's no need to rush.
Slow and steady is often far more successful than making one big change.
Bedtime Is About More Than the Clock
Parents often ask me,
"What time should my child go to bed?"
The honest answer is...
It depends.
Children have different sleep needs, and bedtime isn't just about what time they're asleep.
It's about how bedtime feels.
Children thrive on predictability. A calm, familiar routine helps their brain recognise that sleep is coming, making it much easier to settle.
Your routine doesn't have to be complicated.
It could be as simple as:
A bath or quick wash.
Brushing teeth.
Putting on pyjamas.
Reading a story together.
A cuddle and a chat about the day.
Lights dimmed and screens put away.
These little moments become sleep cues, helping children feel calm and secure.
Connection Before Bed Matters More Than You Think
One of my favourite reminders for parents is this:
Connection before correction.
The summer holidays are often busy.
Days are filled with trips out, family visits, activities, childcare, or trying to juggle work while keeping everyone entertained.
Sometimes, by bedtime, everyone is simply running on empty.
If your child is resisting bedtime, becoming emotional or struggling to settle, it can be worth asking yourself:
"Have we really connected today?"
Sometimes children don't need a stricter bedtime.
They need five minutes where your attention is completely on them.
A game.
A cuddle.
Reading together.
Talking about the funniest part of their day.
These small moments help fill their emotional cup, and they often make bedtime feel much calmer.
Remember That Big Feelings Are Normal
Going back to school is a big transition.
Even children who are excited can feel worried.
They may be thinking about:
A new teacher.
New classmates.
Making friends.
Moving into a different year group.
Learning new routines.
Children don't always tell us they're worried.
Sometimes those feelings show up through behaviour instead.
You might notice:
More emotional outbursts.
Difficulty settling to sleep.
Waking during the night.
Becoming clingier than usual.
Seeming more tired.
These responses are completely normal.
Rather than seeing bedtime struggles as something to "fix," try viewing them as your child asking for reassurance.
Keep Enjoying the Summer
I also want to reassure you about something.
Please don't spend the whole of August worrying about school.
Go for the late evening walks.
Watch the sunset together.
Eat the ice cream.
Have the family barbecue.
Make the memories.
One later bedtime won't undo months of healthy sleep habits.
Children are wonderfully adaptable.
The goal isn't perfection.
It's consistency over time.
A Gentle Reminder
Preparing for school isn't just about buying the right stationery or making sure uniforms are washed.
It's also about helping your child feel emotionally and physically ready for the transition.
Small, gradual changes often have the biggest impact.
Be kind to yourself.
Be patient with your child.
And remember that routines aren't built in a day—they're built through small, consistent moments that help children feel safe and supported.
Your Next Step
If your child is going back to school in the next few weeks, choose just one thing to start today.
Maybe that's adjusting wake-up time by ten minutes.
Maybe it's reading an extra story before bed.
Or maybe it's simply spending five uninterrupted minutes connecting before bedtime.
Small steps really do make a difference.
About Amy
I'm Amy Mazur, a gentle sleep consultant, birth and postnatal doula, and the founder of Next Steps Together. I support families through pregnancy, postpartum and childhood sleep with practical, evidence-based guidance and compassionate support, helping parents feel confident every step of the way.
