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Ease Into the School Schedule. Start transitioning to the school-year sleep schedule one to two weeks before classes begin. If your ������ο��Ƶ has been sleeping in during the summer, the shift to waking up before 7 a.m. can be tough—making the adjustment early prevents a rough first week.

Show them their new routine. Give your ������ο��Ƶ time to visit their new school before the first day. Exploring classrooms, hallways, and common areas can help them feel comfortable with the layout. If your ������ο��Ƶ will ride the bus, show them where the bus stops—this can give them extra peace of mind.

Address Anxiety and Build Coping Skills. The transition to school—especially for younger students—can cause ������ο��Ƶren to feel nervous.

“Kids can feel apprehensive about fitting in with peers, who they will sit with at lunch, finding their locker, or navigating a new school,” says , a ������ο��Ƶ and adolescent psychiatrist at Huntsman Mental ������ο��Ƶ Institute (HMHI) at the ������ο��Ƶ of Utah.

Many may experience a degree of separation anxiety.

“For students who experience some form of depression or anxiety, careful planning and coping strategies are especially helpful and can be a safeguard to their mental health,” Holzbauer explains.

Youth programs at HMHI teach coping strategies before anxious or negative thoughts set in. Students create a “coping kit” they can discreetly carry in their backpack.

“Knowing they can use the tools we practice in our program gives kids reassurance that they can handle challenging situations,” she explains. “The kit contains items designed to meet important physical needs and emotional health—both equally important.”