By Lisa Efron, PhD, pediatric psychologist based in Fairfax, Virginia.
Summer offers a welcome break from the packed schedules of the school year — bedtimes get a little later, mornings start a little slower, and families often enjoy more flexibility in their day-to-day routines.
While it can be tempting to throw structure out the window altogether, maintaining some routines throughout the summer can make life easier for everyone and set children up for a smoother transition when school begins again.
Luckily, back-to-school readiness doesn’t require a dramatic reset. Small, consistent routines can make a subtle yet impactful difference so kids can feel more confident, regulated, and prepared for the changes ahead.
Why Are Routines So Important?
Whether school is in session or not, most children do best when they have a predictable framework for their days. Routines provide stability and help children understand what to expect, which can reduce stress and improve behavior.
Structure doesn’t mean scheduling every minute. Rather, it gives children consistent expectations around things like sleep, meals, chores, and family responsibilities. Without some level of structure, children may struggle to use their time wisely, and some are more likely to engage in troublesome behavior when they have too much unstructured time.
When kids know what’s coming next, daily routines tend to run more smoothly for both children and parents while also supporting the development of important life skills.
Start with Sleep
One of the most important routines parents can maintain during the summer is a consistent evening routine, even if bedtimes and wake-up calls are a little later than usual.
To maintain good sleep hygiene, follow a similar pattern of activities in the hour or two before bedtime year-round. A typical routine might include taking a shower, putting on pajamas, and doing a calming activity such as reading, doing puzzles, or playing a quiet board game before lights out.
What’s most important isn’t necessarily the exact bedtime — it’s maintaining the flow of the routine, so children’s bodies and minds recognize the signals that it’s time to wind down.
If summer bedtimes are later than school-year schedules, parents should begin adjusting them at least one week before classes resume. Rather than making a sudden change the night before school starts, gradually move bedtime and wake-up times earlier in 15-minute increments until children are back on their school schedule.
Simple Habits that Pay Off All Year
While healthy sleep habits provide a strong foundation, they’re just one piece of a consistent structure. Keeping up with several everyday routines can help children start the school year on the right foot.
- Keep chores consistent. If children have household responsibilities during the school year, try to maintain them during the summer. This prevents children from having to relearn expectations in the fall while providing opportunities to build independence and responsibility.
- Maintain some academic work. If required reading is part of the upcoming school year, establish a plan early in the summer rather than waiting until the week before school starts back up. If there is no required work, consider another academic practice, like reading or math worksheets, as part of a regular daily or weekly routine.
- Prioritize one-on-one parent-child time. Summer is a great opportunity to establish a routine of regular, enjoyable activities together. Whether it’s taking a walk, playing a game, or sharing a weekly outing, dedicated one-on-one time strengthens parent-child relationships and creates opportunities for meaningful conversations.
Make Emotional Check-ins Part of the Routine
Not every routine has to involve schedules or chores. Building a regular habit of checking in about your child’s emotional well-being can help them feel supported throughout the year, especially during times of transition like heading back to school.
Rather than waiting until the weekend before classes begin, make time in the weeks leading up to the first day of school to ask children and teens how they’re feeling. Discussing the upcoming changes in advance can help prepare kids mentally and emotionally for the transition.
Parents and caregivers know their children best and are often the first to recognize signs of stress or anxiety, including difficulty falling asleep, increased irritability or mood changes, becoming less communicative than usual or repetitive nervous habits or behaviors.
A simple question such as, “How are you feeling about school starting again?” can open the door to meaningful conversations and normalize these feelings. Starting a new grade, meeting new teachers, or navigating changing social dynamics can be stressful for many children.
At the same time, families can help build excitement about the year ahead by focusing on positive aspects of school, such as seeing friends, meeting teachers, participating in sports, choosing electives, or returning to favorite subjects. When emotional check-ins become part of a family’s regular routine — not just something that happens during stressful moments — children are more likely to feel heard, understood, and supported.
The Bottom Line
While summer generally offers families a nice break from the jam-packed schedules of the school year, maintaining some structures and routines are generally helpful, not just for making the summer better but also for easing the transition back to school in the fall. If a child seems particularly anxious about returning to school, consult with their pediatrician or a mental health professional.
Families looking for additional support can turn to programs like the Children’s National Hyperactivity, Attention, and Learning Problems Clinic (HALP), which helps parents manage and navigate children’s challenging behaviors.
Want to hear more from Children’s National experts? On The Lead in Peds podcast and Rise and Shine blog, pediatric leaders share the stories, science, and practical tips shaping children’s health, from major breakthroughs to everyday care.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
