How did half of the summer fly by already? We’ll never know.
As a speech-language pathologist in Forest Hills and someone who works closely with children and families in need of speech therapy across Queens, NY, Kelly Chan knows how big transitions like ‘back to school’ or ‘first day of school’ can feel. “With a little bit of preparation, you can help your child feel ready, confident, and even excited about heading into a new school year, or maybe even school for the very first time,” she tells Forest Hills Mom.
Here, Chan, founder of her own practice, Sprout Speech, shares simple, supportive strategies to prepare your child for school and ways to stretch them farther. With a diverse background spanning private practice, schools, skilled nursing facilities, and Early Intervention, Kelly brings a well-rounded perspective to therapy and education. Here are her tips to help parents and children alike prepare for the big day and ease-in to the new school year!
1. Make Buying School Supplies a Fun Day Out
I know how easy it can be to simply order everything from Amazon, but think back to how exciting it was when you got to walk through the store to pick out your new supplies. Think about a time where you allowed your child to bake or cook with you. Were they extra excited to eat that meal? The same concept applies here. If you allow your child to be an active participant in purchasing school supplies, they are more likely to get excited about them and about going back to school to use them.
Take the opportunity to turn school supply shopping into an engaging experience which then turns into a positive memory. You can turn it into a following directions task (or even a scavenger hunt!) by telling them what to find once you’re in the store (“go find tissues and markers,” “go find three notebooks”). If they can read, let them read and check items off of the list independently. If your child is too young to stray away to complete these tasks, you can work on labeling items and describing what the items are used for. If your little one is non-verbal, you can hold up two options of the same item and have your little one point to the one they want (if they’re verbal, they can label the one they want).
Sprout Speech Stretch: Spend some time at home exploring the new supplies before school starts. Practice zipping up backpacks, putting items in and out of the bag, and opening and closing lunch containers. If you put your child’s name on their supplies, let them help. Familiarity builds confidence—and reduces stress on the first day.
2. Ease Back Into a School Routine
Summer often brings later bedtimes, flexible meal times, and less routines overall. Some kids can bounce back into their routines with a few moans and groans but others struggle a bit more. If your child is one that thrives off routines, begin to gradually adjust back to their school day routine. Try shifting bedtime and morning routines by 10–15 minutes earlier every few days until you’re closer to the school schedule. Try to offer them snacks and meals around the same time that you anticipate them eating during the upcoming school year.
Sprout Speech Stretch: Visual schedules or picture routines can be super helpful for young children, especially those with language or sensory needs. Schedules can be as open or detailed as you see fit. An at-home example of a schedule for a 3-year-old may look like this: wake up, get ready for the day, eat breakfast, engage in floor time play, eat snack, read books, eat lunch, nap, go outside, eat snack, engage in table toys, eat dinner, bedtime routine.
3. Review Last Year’s Work (in a Fun Way!)
Pull out old artwork, writing samples, or homework from the last school year and celebrate your child’s progress. “Remember when you didn’t know how to write your name, and now you can write a whole story?” It’s empowering for children to see how far they’ve come.
Sprout Speech Stretch: Sprinkle in a little “light review” through play—like writing/spelling with fun mediums (new markers, finger painting in sand/pasta sauce/yogurt, Play Doh), storytelling games, or adding/subtracting with fun toys as counters.
4. Ask Big Questions—and Listen
The end of summer can stir up all kinds of feelings: excitement, worry, curiosity, and even dread. Create space for your child to talk about it. Ask open-ended questions like:
- “What are you most excited about this school year?”
- “Is there anything you’re nervous about?”
- “What’s something new you hope to learn or try?”
Sprout Speech Stretch: Read books and/or watch videos about going back to school. Point out the different emotions that the characters in the books or videos experience. These conversations not only build emotional awareness but also help strengthen language and communication skills—which is always a win in our book!
Final Thoughts from a Speech Therapist
Transitions are hard—even good ones. But with small steps, plenty of encouragement, and a sprinkle of fun, you can help your child feel grounded and ready to sprout into their next stage of learning. If your child needs extra support with communication, transitions, or routine-building, don’t hesitate reach out. Sprout Speech is here to walk alongside you every step of the way.
About Kelly Chan: Kelly Chan founded Sprout Speech, PLLC, in 2025. She received her master’s degree from St. John’s University. She is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and has her Teacher of Students with Speech-Language Disabilities (TSSLD) certification. She is a dedicated and experienced speech-language pathologist with a passion for helping individuals of all ages find their voice. To learn more about Kelly and Sprout Speech, visit her website.
