Back-to-School Guide
Please note: This article focuses primarily on tips for adoptive, kinship, and customary parents and caregivers of elementary school-aged children. Some of these tips may also be helpful for families with older children and youth.
The sun is still shining, the trees are still green, and summer isn’t quite over yet—but fall and the back-to-school season are just around the corner. A little preparation beforehand can help make this important transition into the school year more manageable. This guide brings together tips and reminders from voices in our community to help you tune into your family’s back-to-school rhythm.
Before school starts: Getting Ready for the Transition
Before backpacks are packed and the first school bell rings, there are a few things caregivers and families can do to help create a more familiar and supportive start to the school year.
Get familiar with the school. If possible, consider connecting with the school ahead of time to arrange a visit or meet the teacher. Seeing the classroom, meeting key people, knowing where the washrooms are, or spending some time at the playground can create a few anchor points with familiar people and spaces, making a new routine feel a little less new. Take a look at the school calendar, too. Knowing about upcoming events, field trips, after-school activities, and other programs can help you and your child get a sense of what’s ahead and plan for opportunities they may want to participate in.
Help the teacher get to know your child. Include your child in the conversation. Talk with them about what they would or wouldn’t like their teacher to know about their story, then consider sharing information that may help support them throughout the school day, such as their interests, ways of communicating, sensory or regulation needs, and what helps when things feel difficult.
Many children benefit from having a one-page profile shared with the school ahead of time, including their strengths, needs, and strategies that work for them. There are many templates available online that can be adapted to fit your child and family.
For children and youth with FASD, our FASD & Me: Strengthening My Community Worksheets are another helpful resource that children can complete with their caregivers and share with teachers or other professionals to build understanding.
Know where you can turn to for support. We have many different support groups, webinars, and educational resources to help you learn, connect, and prepare for the upcoming school year. Your Interwoven Peer Connector can also help you find resources for navigating the school system and supporting your family along the way.
When School Starts: Finding a New Rhythm Together
In addition to preparing before school starts, the transition continues in the hours after the school day—when parents and caregivers can create a safe space for children to release their emotions. It’s also an important time to reconnect, recharge, and find a rhythm that works for this new chapter.
Bring a little piece of home. A small, familiar item can offer a sense of comfort and connection throughout the school day. This could be a family photo, a keychain attached to their backpack, a small object that fits in their pocket, or a note tucked into their lunch bag.
Make space for the after-school release. At the end of the day, your child may want to talk about their experiences or share concerns about homework, classmates, or teachers—or they may not feel ready to talk at all. Consider giving them time to settle in rather than jumping straight into questions or homework. What they need may look different from day to day: a snack, movement, quiet time, sensory tools, or some space to decompress. Children and caregivers can also explore regulation activities together. Our Self-Regulation Toolkit can be a helpful starting point.
Create routines at home. Having a plan for meals, mornings, getting to and from school, and after-school activities can add some predictability to the day. Make sure to schedule time for rest as well, for children and caregivers alike. Small moments of downtime matter.
Keep the first few weeks lighter where possible. Back-to-school itself brings many changes in routines, environments, expectations, and relationships. Where possible, reducing additional demands can leave more time and capacity for everyone to adjust.
Collaborate with educators. The first few weeks can offer useful clues about what is working and where your child may need more support. Pay attention to patterns or changes you notice at home, and when possible, check in with teachers and school staff about what they’re noticing at school. Keeping track of these observations can help build a fuller picture of your child’s experience and prepare you for future conversations, meetings, or discussions about their learning and support needs.
Make space for yourself, too. Back-to-school brings changes to caregivers’ routines and a range of emotions along with them. Give yourself time to adjust and check in with what you need throughout the transition. Rest, connection, and support aren’t only for children. Caregivers need them, too.
A new school year can bring change, uncertainty, and challenges alongside new opportunities and experiences. For families formed through adoption, kinship and customary care, navigating the school system may also come with unique considerations. Whatever this transition looks like for your family, give yourselves time to adjust, find your rhythm, and
You don’t have to navigate it alone. Our in-person and online support groups offer opportunities to share experiences, learn, and connect with other caregivers and families who understand. Our Peer Connectors offer personalized, one-on-one support for families formed through adoption, kinship and customary care and can help you find resources and approaches that work for your needs. We’re here to walk alongside you throughout the journey.