If you’re like most foster, adoptive, or kinship caregivers, summer break is both a blessing and a whirlwind. The school-year stress may have faded by now, but the long days bring their own kind of chaos. As you wade through beach towels, half-eaten popsicles, broken goggles, and another round of misplaced sandals, you may wonder: is it too early to start thinking about Back to School?

Groundwork Now Eases Transitions Later

Our short answer is “Nope.” The longer answer is that this is an excellent time to lay some quiet groundwork at home to ease the transition later, for your kids and you.

1. Start with a Clean Slate—Literally

Before you launch into the next school year, take a moment to close out the last one. You’re not alone if you’re staring at backpacks stuffed with crumpled worksheets, dried-up markers, and rogue Goldfish crackers. This is the perfect opportunity to clean out, sort, and reset.

Take time with your kids to unpack each child’s school bag. If they are old enough to carry a backpack, they are old enough to help!

Sort what’s reusable (like scissors, calculators, and notebooks with blank pages) from what’s ready for the trash. Hang onto meaningful items like their artwork, awards, or writing samples. But don’t feel bad about letting go of the bulk of the flood that comes home at the end of the year. If it helps, or if storage is limited, create a “memory bin” or snap photos of special pieces before letting them go.

Clearing out last year’s clutter keeps your home more organized and helps your child mentally close out the school year. Similarly, the rituals of a tidy desk, clean or new backpack, or fresh school supplies can go a long way in signaling a fresh start.

Creating Traditions and Rituals that Anchor Our Kids

2. Maintain a Gentle Summer Routine

One of the most helpful ways to support kids impacted by trauma, prenatal substance exposure, or neurodivergence is to maintain a loose but reliable summer routine. We’re not talking about rigid wake-up times or math drills before breakfast. Think more in terms of rhythm than schedule.

Transitions are typically challenging for kids in our foster, adoption, or kinship circles. So, try to keep consistent times (within an hour or so from the school year schedule) for your family’s regular rhythms.

  • Waking up
  • Going to bed
  • Snacks and mealtimes
  • Activities – individual and family
  • Childcare drop off and pick up
  • Down time or quiet time

That way, when August rolls around and alarms return, it won’t feel like you’re turning the whole household upside down.

Kids who’ve experienced trauma often feel safer with predictability, even if they push against it. Creating simple visual schedules or daily anchor points can help reduce anxiety without making summer feel like a boot camp. It can be as simple as a dry-erase checklist or pictures on the fridge:

  • Breakfast
  • Screen time
  • Outside play time
  • Lunch
  • Quiet time
  • Dinner
  • Family activity

3. Sneak in Some Learning (Without Calling It That)

“Summer slide” is a valid concern, especially for kids facing learning challenges. But that doesn’t mean you have to replicate school at home. Instead, build in gentle learning moments that feel natural and fun.

Reading together, visiting the library, listening to audiobooks on long drives, or cooking together (hello, fractions!) are all excellent ways to keep your kids’ brains engaged. If your child struggles with academics, focus on building their confidence through fun-to-them activities like puzzles, word games, computer learning games, or programs they enjoy. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s staying in the groove.

It may be helpful to see if summer support is available for kids who receive services like speech or occupational therapy during the school year. You could also ask your provider for simple exercises to incorporate into your routine.

4. Support Kids with Unique Needs

For children with ADHD, learning disabilities, or trauma histories, summer can be both freeing and disorienting. Without a school-day structure, some kids thrive while others lose their sense of place.

One way to lay the groundwork now for a smoother transition with our kids is to talk early and often about what to expect. Start by referring to the upcoming grade, the teacher (if you know who it is), or the new school as summer progresses. Visit the school playground, drive by the building, or look at photos online to build familiarity.

If your student will be entering a new building or district, you might consider setting up a personal tour. This may help your child feel less pressure or anxiety than if they wait until a larger orientation or the first day.

You might also create a simple countdown when the first day is a few weeks away. A visual counter, like a paper chain or calendar, can help your children conceptualize time and reduce last-minute panic.

If your child had an IEP or 504 plan last year, review it this summer and make some notes for yourself. What worked? What didn’t? Was the plan followed? Gathering your thoughts now means you’ll be more prepared when meetings start back up in the fall.

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5. Don’t Forget to Prepare Yourself

As caregivers, we tend to focus so much on our kids that we forget to support ourselves. But let’s be real. Back-to-school season can be hard on us adults, too.

Think about how to improve Back to School to help you feel more in control as summer winds down:

  • Is your drop-off routine smooth and pleasant?
  • Do you have a dependable after-school plan?
  • Was homework last year chaotic and emotionally charged?

This summer is the perfect time to learn about other ways to do things, brainstorm with your partner and kids, and consider what changes will improve the school-year experience for all of you.

Oh, and take it from me: don’t wait until August to finish all those school or fall sports physicals, clothing restashes, haircuts, or school supply lists! Ask me how I know this.

Tackling a little bit each week makes the return to school feel manageable, not overwhelming.

So… Is it Too Soon?

Not at all. If anything, the earlier you begin to ease into a plan (even a slower, gentler summer plan), the more empowered and less rushed you—and your child—will feel. Summer doesn’t have to be all or nothing. It can be a season of slower days with subtle steps forward.

And remember, nothing must be perfect. Just intentional. You’re already doing a lot to support your kids every day. Taking a few thoughtful steps now to help make the Back to School transition easier is just one more way to say: “I’ve got you.”

Stay tuned to our weekly podcasts and articles for July and August, as we bring you new Back to School resources and highlight some of our previous, most popular content too!

Image Credits: Canva @soswellstudio; Yan Krukau; Kampus Production