Back to School: 10 Tips for Parents to Help Kids Adjust
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Time to read 8 min
The start of a new school year always feels like a fresh chapter. Full of possibility, but also full of nerves. Kids feel it, and so do parents. Whether your child is walking into preschool for the first time, moving up in elementary school, or facing a brand-new classroom, the back-to-school transition can stir up big emotions.
That’s where the right back-to-school supplies and strategies come in. More than just backpacks and pencil cases, familiar items like dolls, stickers, or favorite accessories can offer reassurance and remind kids they belong.
To make this season smoother for everyone at home, here are ten practical parenting tips to ease the back-to-school transition.
Table of contents
1. Ease Your Child Into Earlier Bedtimes 2. Practice Bus and Pedestrian Safety 3. Involve Them in Back-to-School Supplies Shopping 4. Create Predictable Morning Routines 5. Normalize Nerves by Talking About Feelings 6. Visit the New School or Classroom 7. Encourage Independence with Simple Responsibilities 8. Stay Involved 9. Balance Work and Play at Home 10. Celebrate Milestones Big and Small School Anxiety vs. Normal Nerves Representation in Back-to-School Prep Join Our VIP List Summary Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About The Author You May Also Like
1. Ease Your Child Into Earlier Bedtimes
About two weeks before school starts, shift bedtime and wake-up times closer to the school-year schedule. This helps reset their body clocks and prevents that first early morning from being such a shock.
Pair the routine with calming rituals like reading together or letting your child cuddle with a favorite soft doll to signal bedtime is near.
2. Practice Bus and Pedestrian Safety
If they’re riding the bus or walking, review the basics: looking both ways, waiting for the bus to stop completely, and crossing with a buddy when possible.
Turning safety into a game, for example, rewarding them with a collectible sticker for kids when they follow the rules, can make it fun and memorable.
3. Involve Them in Back-to-School Supplies Shopping
Choosing their own back to school supplies, from colorful folders to a favorite sticker sheet, gives kids ownership and excitement about the new school year.
This is also a powerful opportunity to celebrate their cultural identity. For many children, especially those navigating different cultural environments, seeing pieces of their identity in everyday school life can ease feelings of disconnection.
Encourage your child to choose items that reflect who they are and where they come from. You can incorporate them by:
- Giving them a mini cultural doll to put in their backpack
- Decorating their supplies with notebook stickers showing Korean dolls, Filipino dolls, Chinese dolls, or other dolls
- Customizing their lunchbox design with cultural stickers
- Buying a pencil case decorated with cute cultural designs
By weaving cultural pride into something as simple as shopping, you’re helping your child start the year not only prepared but also anchored in who they are.
4. Create Predictable Morning Routines
You can also help them practice “ school mornings” a week or two before the first day: wake up on time, get dressed, eat breakfast, pack lunches, and grab their backpack and pencil case before heading out the door, even if it’s just a walk to the park.
For younger kids, reduce stress by picking out outfits together for the whole week. This small step helps them feel prepared and avoids last-minute battles. As you go through the routine, talk openly about what to expect at school and ask how your child feels.
5. Normalize Nerves by Talking About Feelings
Remind your child that almost everyone feels nervous on the first day. Share a story about when you felt the same way as a kid. Encourage them to pack something comforting in their bag, like a mini Vietnam doll, so they have a familiar companion nearby.
6. Visit the New School or Classroom
If your child is starting preschool or moving to a new school, schedule a walk-through. Allow them to see the classroom, playground, and even meet the teacher if possible.
Let your child carry their new backpack and pencil case on the visit so the experience feels more real and exciting.
7. Encourage Independence with Simple Responsibilities
Give your child small responsibilities that match their age, like zipping their backpack, laying out clothes the night before, or helping pack snacks for the day. These tasks build confidence and a sense of ownership. The more kids practice handling little responsibilities at home, the more capable and ready they’ll feel at school.
8. Stay Involved
Ask about school every day:
- What made them smile?
- What felt tricky?
- Who did they play with?
- What happened at recess?
Kids feel reassured knowing you’re there to listen and help solve problems.
9. Balance Work and Play at Home
Don’t overload afternoons with academics. Childhood play is just as important as homework for growth and confidence. Set aside time for open-ended play with the best dolls for kids, like Joeydolls’ Asian cultural dolls, to help your child unwind and strengthen cultural identity after a busy day.
10. Celebrate Milestones Big and Small
The first day of school, finishing a piece of homework, and making a new friend. These moments may seem small, but to your child, they’re huge. Take the time to notice and celebrate them. A smile, a hug, or a few kind words like “I’m proud of you” can mean more than any reward. What matters most is showing your child that their effort counts, not just the outcome.
School Anxiety vs. Normal Nerves
It’s normal for kids to feel nervous about the first day of school. A few butterflies, restlessness the night before, or needing extra reassurance are all signs of healthy adjustment.
But if the worries don’t ease after the first week or show up as:
frequent stomachaches
headaches
trouble sleeping
outright refusal to go to school
…it may be more than just jitters. These can be physical signs of school anxiety. The key is to look for patterns: does your child seem stressed only on school mornings, or are the worries constant throughout the day?
If you’re concerned, start by creating space for your child to talk openly about their feelings. Gentle questions and validating their emotions go a long way. And if anxiety continues to interfere with daily life, consider reaching out to a teacher, school counselor, or pediatrician for support.
Early support helps kids manage stress before it grows.
Representation in Back-to-School Prep
At Joeydolls, we believe every child deserves to feel seen and celebrated. Representation in toys isn’t just important, but it’s also essential for building confidence and fostering belonging.
We’re more than just a doll brand. We’re a movement to create meaningful cultural connections through play. Joeydolls offers the world’s most diverse line of Asian cultural dolls, thoughtfully designed to reflect the vibrant traditions and heritage of Asia. Unlike other brands, our soft, playful dolls are made for all ages, combining cultural authenticity with fun and cuddly appeal.
By celebrating diversity and inspiring pride, Joeydolls brings families together, encouraging conversations that nurture understanding and inclusivity at home, at school, and everywhere in between.
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Summary
Prepare Early – Ease kids into school routines with earlier bedtimes, morning practice, and small responsibilities that build confidence.
Support Emotions – Normalize first-day jitters, talk openly about feelings, and watch for signs of school anxiety like repeated stomachaches or refusal to attend.
Celebrate Identity & Wins – Let kids choose supplies that reflect their culture, balance work with play, and celebrate milestones big and small.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Joeydolls?
Joeydolls is a line of Asian cultural dolls created to celebrate representation, heritage, and inclusion for all children.
What ages are your dolls and downloads for?
Our plush dolls are safe for ages 3+, and our printables are designed with preschool and early elementary learners in mind.
Do I need to be of Asian heritage to use these resources?
Not at all! Our products are for everyone – whether you're celebrating your own culture or introducing your child to new ones.
What are the benefits of doll play for children?
Doll play supports social-emotional development, creativity, and storytelling. When children play with diverse dolls, they learn to appreciate differences, develop empathy, and build cultural awareness in a natural, joyful way.
Why are cultural dolls important?
Cultural dolls help children see themselves reflected in play and learn to appreciate cultures beyond their own. Representation fosters confidence, empathy, and inclusion from an early age.
What makes Joeydolls different from other dolls?
Each Joeydoll is thoughtfully designed to celebrate a specific Asian culture through traditional clothing, symbolism, and storytelling. We collaborate with cultural insiders and families to ensure authenticity and care in every detail.
What cultures do Joeydolls represent?
So far, our collection includes dolls inspired by Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Japanese, Indian, Korean, and Cambodian heritage. We're excited to continue expanding with even more Asian cultures and the upcoming launch of boy dolls!
What is the mission behind Joeydolls?
Joeydolls exists to celebrate Asian cultures, foster belonging, and create joyful moments of learning and pride for all children. We believe every child deserves to feel seen and valued in their everyday play.
Where do you ship?
We ship across the USA, Canada, and internationally to selected countries.
Where can I get the other dolls?
You can meet all of our dolls here . Each doll comes with educational content on its background and design inspired by its unique culture.
About The Author
Samantha Ong
Samantha Ong is the founder of Joeydolls, a Canadian-based toy brand on a mission to celebrate Asian cultures through joyful, inclusive play. Inspired by her own experiences growing up without cultural representation, Samantha designs dolls that help children feel proud of who they are while sparking curiosity and empathy in others. Since launching in 2023, Joeydolls has empowered thousands of families to bring culture, identity, and love into their everyday lives—one cuddle at a time.
