The Back-to-school routine is a crucial moment in the lives of children and their families. It marks a fresh start, a new opportunity to improve routines, set goals, and promote a balance between study, leisure, and emotional wellbeing. While the beginning of the school year can be exciting, it is often accompanied by organisational stress, especially in households with multiple children or numerous commitments.
At Best Schools in Spain (BSS) schools, the start of the year is accompanied by welcome protocols, family meetings, and clear planning that helps each student begin with confidence, motivation, and structure. This article offers practical advice for parents looking to organise this phase effectively, focusing on their children’s wellbeing and a planning approach suited to each family’s reality.
Why is proper planning for back-to-school so important?
Good planning not only reduces stress but also lays the foundations for a smooth school year, leaving room for unexpected events and moments of rest. Some clear advantages of getting organised from the start include:
Facilitates the child’s adaptation to changes in their schedule
Prevents overload from accumulating tasks or commitments
Helps identify free time to strengthen family bonds
Improves time management and academic performance
Boosts the child’s autonomy and responsibility
Step one: organise the family calendar
Before the official start of classes, it’s essential to have a clear view of what the weekly routine will look like. Recommendations:
Mark key dates on the school calendar (start dates, holidays, evaluations, meetings)
Define class schedules, transport, and possible reinforcement or support services
Review the family’s work calendar to plan for absences or adjustments
Leave open spaces for rest and flexibility
A good idea is to create a visual calendar that is easily accessible to all family members. You can download a template here.
School routines: balance and consistency
School routines help children feel secure and know what to expect each day. Establishing habits from the start makes for a smoother transition:
Get the child used to waking up early a week before school starts
Set fixed times for meals, homework, and sleep
Limit screen time during the afternoon
Prepare backpacks, clothes, and school materials the night before
Dedicate a moment each day to talk about how the day went
BSS schools support this transition with specific strategies to help students gradually adjust, particularly in sensitive stages like Early Childhood and Primary School.
Extracurricular activities: Choose wisely
Choosing the right extracurricular activities can enhance complementary skills and boost children’s self-esteem, but it can also create an overload if not planned carefully.
Tips for a Balanced Selection:
Listen to the child’s real interests
Avoid overloading the schedule: 1 or 2 activities per week are usually enough
Choose activities that complement emotional development (music, art, sports)
Review each term whether the activity is still useful or motivating
Ensure there are free days or afternoons without structure
BSS schools often offer a wide range of high-quality extracurricular activities, including creativity, technology, languages, sports, and personal expression.
Study, leisure, and rest: Finding the balance
The balance between study and leisure is key to sustainable academic performance and emotional wellbeing. Some strategies that may help:
Set up a tidy, quiet study space free from distractions
Establish reasonable homework hours based on the child’s age
Allow free time for unstructured play and creative boredom
Plan family activities that aren’t related to performance: walks, cooking, shared reading
Respect nightly rest as a pillar for daily performance
Preparing for the return, building the year
The return to school is not just an administrative task. It’s an opportunity to review what works, adjust what doesn’t, and start the year with energy and balance. Good planning ensures the family functions as a team, with each member playing their role, respecting individual times and needs.
At Best Schools in Spain, we support this process from day one, offering educational proposals that prioritise autonomy, wellbeing, and the active participation of families. Because organising the start of the school year is, at its core, about laying the foundations for a year full of possibilities.
Visit www.bestschoolsinspain.com to explore BSS-certified schools that can help you take this step with confidence.
