The 10 Best Ways to Prepare Kids for a New School Year

KNGT | Lake Charles, LA — I don't know about y'all, but it feels like summer just started, and now we're already talking about getting the kids ready to head back to school.

Around here in Southwest Louisiana, the time has come that we all hate, the dreaded "Get back to the Routine" days. This normally happens a few weeks before school start so the entire house gets flipped upside down. New routines are implemented and both parents and kids are on edge and worried how the new school year will go.

In an effort to make sure this year goes smoother than the past, I searched the innerweb to see what it thought I should do to prepare. According to Child-Focus.org, this is the Top 10 things to do to get the kids ready for school.

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Preparing for the First Day

10. Be Prepared as a Parent
Don't let your feelings get the best of you in this stressful time. This is the part where we have to be adults and try to diffuse the situations.

9. Encourage making new Friends
This is one of the hardest things for some kids. Making new friends can be so stressful for a shy kid. Help them out by encouraging them, practice greetings, sharing, and taking turns.

8. Lunches and Snacks
Pack them those comfort snacks and lunches. This can help calm a nervous kiddo because that little piece of the day feels normal to them.

7. Read Books about starting School
There are a ton of books on the market that explain all of these topics better. And is this is you kids first day of school there may be a better way to explain it than just this list.

6. Morning Routines
Routines, surprisingly this helps more than you think. Making that plan and sticking with it everyday. This away you child knows what is expected of them and they learn faster.

READ MORE: When Does School Start? Full 2026-2027 SWLA Back-to-School Schedule

5. Practice Separation
Some kids dont like to be away from mom and dad. This is a hard habit to break so anytime you can leave them with a friend or relative is always a plus.

4. School Supplies
Bring them with you when you have to buy the supplies, let them pick out their own things. This helps them break out of their shell and gets them excited about school.

3. Talk about School Expectations
Just a simple discussion about the Do's and Don'ts are always the best practices. This away they know what is expected of them on the first day.

2. Visit the School
Take a ride by the school, let them see it before that dreaded first day. Go to the school with your child to look around, find their classroom, and, if you can, meet their teacher.

1. Start Early
This is something you need to start at least 2 weeks before the first day. By doing this it get the routine built into our brains and it helps the school year to be a success.

The biggest thing to remember is that your kids are watching you. If they see you feeling excited and confident, they'll probably feel the same way. Before long, there will be school buses on the roads, football games on Friday nights, and parents wondering where the summer went.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go figure out how it's already back-to-school season. Seems like we were just talking about summer vacation.