First-Day Jitters & What to Expect: Helping Your Child Start the School Year with Confidence

The first day of school can feel overwhelming—for both students and parents. A new environment, unfamiliar faces, and shifting routines are a lot to navigate. Understanding what to expect and how to manage emotions can make a significant difference in helping your child feel calm and prepared.

Here’s how to support a smoother transition:

• Normalize their feelings: Let your child know it’s completely normal to feel nervous or unsure. Many students feel the same way, and those feelings usually pass quickly.

• Talk through the day: Explain what the first day might look like—meeting the teacher, finding their desk, doing fun icebreakers, and learning the new classroom schedule.

• Practice routines together: Start going to bed and waking up on a school schedule. Review the morning routine, pack their bag, and lay out clothes the night before to reduce morning stress.

• Highlight the positives: Emphasize the exciting parts—reuniting with friends, using new school supplies, or joining a favorite subject or activity.

• Reassure them of support: Teachers, aides, and school staff are there to help. Let your child know they can always ask for help and that you’ll be there at the end of the day to hear all about it.

Knowing what to expect and feeling supported can turn first-day anxiety into enthusiasm. With just a bit of preparation and encouragement, your child can walk into school with confidence and curiosity.