Five Skills to Practice Before School Starts (That Have Nothing to Do With Academics)
As summer begins to wind down, many parents start thinking about how to prepare their children for the new school year.
It's easy to focus on reading, math facts, or completing summer assignments. While academics certainly matter, they're only one part of a successful school experience.
For many children—especially those with ADHD, anxiety, autism, or executive functioning challenges—the biggest obstacles at school have little to do with intelligence or academic ability. Instead, they're related to managing routines, navigating emotions, organizing responsibilities, and adapting to change.
The good news? These are skills that can be practiced in everyday life long before the first day of school.
1. Following Routines
School days are full of routines.
Getting dressed, packing a backpack, turning in homework, transitioning between classes, and preparing for bedtime all require executive functioning skills.
Rather than expecting children to suddenly adjust when school begins, start practicing predictable routines a week or two before school starts.
You might practice:
Packing a backpack the night before
Choosing clothes before bed
Following a simple morning checklist
Creating a consistent bedtime routine
The goal isn't perfection. It's helping routines become familiar before they become necessary.
2. Problem Solving
Children encounter small challenges every day.
A favorite shirt is dirty.
A sibling takes the last snack.
Plans change unexpectedly.
Instead of immediately solving every problem, consider asking questions such as:
"What are a few different ways we could handle this?"
"What do you think might work?"
"What could you try first?"
Helping children think through solutions builds confidence and flexibility—skills they'll use throughout the school year.
3. Asking for Help
Many children struggle silently because they worry about bothering adults, looking different from their peers, or not knowing the "right" answer.
Summer is a wonderful time to practice asking for help in low-pressure situations.
This might look like:
Ordering their own meal at a restaurant
Asking a librarian where to find a book
Requesting help during a community activity
Letting an adult know when something feels confusing
Learning that asking for help is a strength—not a weakness—can make a significant difference once school begins.
4. Managing Disappointment
Not everything goes according to plan.
Games are lost.
Plans change.
Friends are unavailable.
These everyday moments provide opportunities to practice coping with frustration before larger school-related challenges arise.
Supporting children through disappointment doesn't mean preventing difficult feelings. It means helping them experience those feelings while knowing they can move through them.
Phrases such as:
"That was really disappointing."
"I can see why you're upset."
"Let's figure out what comes next."
help children feel understood while continuing to build resilience.
5. Building Independence
Independence doesn't happen overnight.
It develops through many small opportunities to practice responsibility.
Depending on your child's age, this could include:
Packing their lunch
Setting an alarm
Checking a visual schedule
Remembering a water bottle
Completing one household responsibility each day
Using a checklist instead of verbal reminders
The goal isn't to eliminate support. It's to gradually shift some responsibilities in ways that match your child's developmental stage and individual needs.
Remember: Progress Looks Different for Every Child
Children develop executive functioning skills at different rates.
For neurodivergent children, these skills may emerge later than expected, even when they are bright, motivated, and capable.
Comparing your child to classmates—or siblings—rarely provides useful information.
Instead, focus on growth.
Ask yourself:
"What is one skill my child is more confident with today than they were six months ago?"
Small gains often lead to meaningful changes over time.
A Strong Start Isn't About Being Perfect
Every child enters the school year with different strengths and challenges.
Preparing for school isn't about creating the "perfect" student. It's about helping children feel confident, supported, and capable of navigating the routines and expectations they'll encounter each day.
By practicing everyday life skills—not just academics—you can help reduce stress, build independence, and create a smoother transition back to school for the entire family.
Looking for additional support before the school year begins?
At Anderson Counseling & Wellness, we work with children, teens, and families to strengthen executive functioning, emotional regulation, and school success through therapy, ADHD evaluations, and parent consultations. Whether your child is entering kindergarten or high school, developing practical life skills can make the transition back to school feel more manageable.