The carefree days of summer are made to be savored. Like many New Englanders, we make the most of our warmest season—lingering at the beach until dinner; creating pockets of time to enjoy a few good books; traveling when possible; and playing outside with neighborhood friends, long after dark. The restorative power of sandy feet and unscheduled time can’t be overstated.

We know how hard it is to transition from a good thing like summer—no matter how much we’ll enjoy the next good thing. As educators, we think a lot about successful transitions, so we’ve compiled a few tips to ensure that when the time comes, your children and teens will be ready to embrace the new school year—prepared for all of the good things that it brings.

1. Get back on a schedule. Late summer is an excellent time to re-establish a routine that mirrors a school day schedule. Adjust your child’s wake time by a few minutes each day. By the time the first day of school arrives, your child will be better prepared to get up and go.

2. Reconnect with friends. Re-establishing social connections with school friends is an easy way to shift focus toward the upcoming school year. Make plans for your child to get together with a few school friends. If new students are joining your child’s class, invite them to come along, too.

3. Visualize what’s new. If your child is starting at a new school, practice walking or driving the route; talk about and then imagine the first few experiences of the first day of school. If possible, ask if you can visit the classroom together before summer ends. 

4. Practice lunchtime self-reliance. Give young children time to practice opening tricky lunchbox containers such as Thermoses, packaged food, Bento boxes and yogurt drinks. They’ll feel more confident knowing they can manage snack time without assistance.

5. Designate a space for school items. Create a dedicated space for backpacks, folders and charging stations for devices.

6. Identify a few key places for homework. For some, a neat desk with reliable quiet can be the ideal place to complete homework, while others do well with the buzz of family life nearby. And for some, variety is the best way to tackle assignments with a range of needs for focus, creativity, and connection. 

7. Evaluate organization needs. If your child participates in athletics, consider a second bag for athletics clothing, footwear and equipment. 

8. Clear the family schedule. Everyone will benefit from a few unhurried days before the new school year begins.