Summer’s Last Stand: Easing Back Into the School Rhythm
By Alisia McCabe, 4th Grade Teacher at Mountain Song Community School
It’s that time again. Flip-flops are starting to compete with backpacks, and the smell of sunscreen is mixing with freshly sharpened pencils. As much as we’d love summer to last forever, the first day of school is just around the corner. The good news is that you don’t have to flip the switch overnight. With a few simple shifts, you can help your kids ease into the school routine while still enjoying the tail end of summer.
1. Start the Sleep Reset
Let’s be honest. Summer bedtimes tend to drift later and later. A week or two before school starts, begin moving bedtime earlier by 15 to 30 minutes every few nights. Do the same with wake-up time. That way, the first day won’t feel quite so jarring.
2. Rebuild Daily Rhythms
Waldorf educators like me often talk about the importance of rhythm. Predictable routines help kids feel secure and focused. Try reintroducing a little structure into your days. Regular mealtimes, reading after breakfast, or an afternoon walk can go a long way. It doesn’t have to be rigid. Even a loose rhythm can help kids settle back in.
3. Make Supplies Part of the Fun
Let your child pick out a lunchbox, choose a special pencil case, or decorate their water bottle with stickers. It helps them feel a sense of ownership and excitement about the school year. You can also start using their new backpack on outings so it becomes familiar before the first day.
4. Make Something Meaningful Togethe
As a teacher, I love inviting families to make something special ahead of the first day. One of my favorite traditions is creating matching friendship bracelets and bookmarks with students and their parents during our back-to-school meet-and-greet. It’s a simple, hands-on way to ease first-day jitters and build connection. The bracelet gives your child something tangible to wear as a reminder that you're with them in spirit, and the bookmark becomes a keepsake for the year ahead. These small moments help set the tone for a school year rooted in care, creativity, and community.
5. Savor the Last Bits of Summer
Don’t forget to celebrate the season’s end. Plan a sunset picnic, a backyard s’mores night or a family hike to soak in the last golden days. Kids pick up on our energy. If we treat the transition as something meaningful rather than rushed, they’ll feel more at ease too.
Back-to-school doesn’t have to mean letting go of all the fun. With a little intention and a few small shifts, your family can head into the new year feeling calm, ready, and excited.
Alisia McCabe has been part of the Mountain Song Community School family since 2014. With a background in social work and certifications in both Montessori and Waldorf education, she’s guided one class all the way from first through eighth grade—an experience she calls one of the most profound of her life. Alisia now teaches her second class and brings warmth, wisdom, and a deep love of the Waldorf model to her work. Outside the classroom, she enjoys reading, yoga, cooking, and spending time outdoors.
