The First Month of School is Behind You - Now What? Tips and Resources for a Smooth Year

You did it! Your family has successfully made it through the first month of school! This may not seem like an accomplishment worth celebrating, but it truly is. After all, you’ve managed transitions to new routines, new schedules, new teachers, and possibly even new schools. That is a lot of change in a short amount of time. 

With the year in full swing and all of those first month of school transitions behind you, now is a great time to check in and assess how everyone is adjusting and settling in. You may find that certain components of your routine would benefit from tweaking, or that you want to explore resources to support your child’s learning and well-being. 

Not sure what to look for or where to begin? Continue reading for our suggestions. 

Sleep and Morning Routines

A solid bedtime and morning routine can start the school day off on the right foot.

By the end of the first month of school, you may notice if mornings or evenings feel rushed. Don’t be afraid to evaluate those morning and evening routines and adjust as needed. After all, reinforcing consistent sleep and wake times can help children regulate energy, focus, and mood throughout the school day. More energy and positive feelings not only make for a better school day, but they also make it easier to get out the door each morning.

Build in Down Time

The school day can feel very long to children, especially for those who spend most of it working hard to engage socially or stay on task. Building even a little downtime into your child’s afternoon can offer much-needed opportunities to de-stress and recharge. This could include some post-school story time, a leisurely walk around the neighborhood, or whatever your child needs to relax and connect.

Balancing Extracurriculars

Some children look forward to extracurricular activities that help them burn off extra energy, while others can feel overwhelmed by a packed after-school schedule. Now is a good time to assess whether your child’s schedule feels manageable, or if shifting certain components could reduce stress and free up time for family and rest.

If it’s too late to change extracurricular activities now, consider how plans and schedules could look different in future seasons or semesters. Sometimes a simple switch to a low-stakes after-school club can give your child a comfortable way to engage while still providing the after-school supervision your family needs.

Social Interactions

Some children may feel frustrated if they are no longer in class with their friends, while others may struggle to make friends in a new environment. Finding occasional time for a play date can help maintain those old bonds or foster budding relationships.

Executive Functioning Support

After the first month of school, homework tends to ramp up in older grades. If you find that homework and organization are becoming stressful for your child,  consider introducing tools like planners, visual schedules, or checklists to build independence and reduce conflict. Your child’s teacher may already have suggestions for organizers and study tools, and platforms like myHomework or MyStudyLife can help to keep older students organized.

Tutoring

Review time nears its end around the first month of school as many classes dive into their curriculum for the year. If you notice your child is struggling in a particular subject area, working with a tutor might be a helpful way to provide support. There are a number of tutoring options out there, but here are some local examples:

Finding the right resources can go a long way toward helping your child feel successful in school.

• Fairfax County’s Family Resource Center maintains a list of FCPS teachers who tutor after school.

• There are many private tutoring centers in the area that cater to different academic areas. Consider conducting an internet search and reading reviews for options in your community.

• Brainfuse HelpNow offers free online tutoring resources if you have access to a valid library card.

  
  

Neuropsychological Testing

If your child is experiencing anxiety related to the social, emotional, academic, or structural components of school that affect their ability to be successful during the school day, neuropsychological testing may be an option. Testing can offer valuable insight into why a child feels, behaves, or performs the way they do in the school setting, leading to recommendations for strategies and resources tailored to your child’s needs. If you notice signs that testing might be right for your child, feel free to reach out to us for more information.

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The above list is not meant to feel overwhelming – it is simply a resource of options to consider if you notice something isn’t quite working for you or your children after the first month of school. Even if you decide to make some adjustments, we hope your family finds a cadence that works for you. If the daily school routine continues to feel challenging or overwhelming, don’t hesitate to contact us for additional support.