Helping Your Elementary Child Adjust to Full-Day School
As your little one grows, so do their responsibilities and expectations at school. As they enter first grade and beyond, they will have to learn to adjust to new routines they may not have experienced in kindergarten or preschool. That includes making it through a whole day without a nap and starting to work on homework assignments.
Karen Manotas, MD, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Huntsman Mental Health Institute at the University of Utah, shares some tips on how you can help guide your kids through some common challenges so they can thrive in elementary school.
Common Elementary School Challenges
“When a child transitions to a full day of school, parents can help them build the stamina they need by focusing on gradual preparation, healthy routines, and emotional support,” Manotas says. “By steadily building healthy habits, increasing stamina, and offering both structure and recovery time, parents can help their child adjust successfully to the demands of a full school day.”
First-Day Jitters
Is your child getting anxious to head back to school? Even if they are starting a new year at the same school, it can still be a bit scary to go back to a structured environment after months off for summer break. Maybe they found out their best friend will be in a different class, or they’re nervous about having a new teacher.
- Validate their feelings. It’s totally normal for them to have some anxiety about starting a new school year with a new teacher and new classmates.
- Tell them you understand why they feel that way and reassure them that you are proud of them.
- Talk positively about school, but also be sure to listen to their concerns.
If you can, meet their teacher and schedule time to visit the classroom before the first day.
Homework Help
The concept of homework might be new to your elementary schooler, but it doesn’t have to be a nightmare.
The following tips can help homework seem less stressful and teach your child healthy time management strategies:
- Be interested and helpful with their assignments without being overbearing.
- Set up a designated homework spot in your house that is quiet and distraction-free.
Set aside a window of time for completing homework based on when your child works best, such as in the afternoon after a snack or break, or after dinner.
Powering Through the Day
For many kids, elementary school is their first experience with a full school day. Other kids may have attended full-day kindergarten or preschool but took an afternoon nap. If you’re worried about your child having enough energy to make it through the day, Manotas recommends:
- Practice having structured time. For kids who aren’t used to long stretches of structured activity, Manotas says scheduling playdates, attending library story times, or other half-day programs can help get them accustomed.
- Get them on a schedule. A couple weeks before school starts, get your child on a back-to-school routine. Set bedtime and wake-up times, and avoid an afternoon snooze. Several days of this schedule will allow your child’s body to adjust before the first day. According to Manotas, kids in this age range need 9 to 12 hours of sleep each night to stay energized and focused throughout the day.
- Food is fuel. An important part of your child making it through the day without crashing is ensuring they are properly fueling their bodies with a balanced diet. Offer them breakfast high in protein and complex carbohydrates but low in added sugar. Instead of sugary cereals, offer eggs with whole-grain toast, fruit, and a cup of milk.
A healthy lunch is equally important to avoid afternoon sleepies. Pack your child food that is energizing but light, like a turkey-and-cheese sandwich on whole-grain bread, carrot sticks with hummus, and some apple slices. Encourage them to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water instead of sugary drinks like juice or soda. - Down time is important too. Let your child have time to relax when they get home. Learning how to rest and recharge is an important skill to master as they grow older.
“Once school starts, parents should watch for signs of fatigue and plan for quiet, unstructured time after school—rather than overscheduling with extracurriculars right away,” Manotas says. “Encouraging open conversation about what they enjoyed, what felt hard, and how their body feels helps children learn to self-advocate and recognize their own needs.”
Steadily increasing healthy habits and offering a combination of structured activity and down time will help your child successfully adjust to a full school day.
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