Back to School for Littles, Routines and Traditions

August 18, 2021

Embracing the Back-to-School Spirit with Young Kids

back-to-school routines, family traditions, positive affirmations, learning environment for kids

The back-to-school season can be exciting, even if your little one isn’t quite school-age yet. This time of year offers a great chance to introduce nurturing routines and start family traditions that build joy and connection. Reflecting on my own childhood, I always wished we had more routines, positive affirmations for kids, and family traditions, so I’m thrilled to establish these with my daughter, Carolynn. The learning environment for kids, and habits we start now are laying the groundwork to help her feel secure and valued, readying her for school when the time comes.

Here are some of the ways we’re creating routines and traditions that make the back-to-school season feel special, preparing her for school and filling our days with warmth and intention.

1. Morning Goals for a Positive Start

Starting each day with a small goal helps little ones understand that even small accomplishments matter. With Carolynn, we set goals that are simple and age-appropriate, such as being kind to others, listening to directions, or finding joy in a new activity. Even though she’s only 15 months old, these small goals add up, helping her understand that the day is full of possibilities and purpose.

Examples of Simple Morning Goals

“Today, we’ll practice sharing kindly with friends and family.”
“When things feel tough, let’s work on taking a deep breath together.”
“Today, we’ll be brave and try a new activity or toy.”

While these goals are simple, they teach a big concept: that each day brings new opportunities to learn and grow. We celebrate each goal she reaches, clapping or hugging, making her feel valued. This small start to the day builds her resilience and self-confidence—two qualities that will carry her through school and beyond.

How to Make Morning Goals Part of Your Routine

Creating goals can easily become a daily habit. For instance:

Create a morning mantra board: A small chalkboard or whiteboard in your kitchen or entryway where you can jot down the daily goal. Let your child pick a sticker or draw something next to it when they’ve met their goal.
Incorporate reward-based encouragement: Small rewards, like picking a favorite book or an extra snuggle session, can be a fun way to end the day, letting kids know their efforts are noticed.

back-to-school routines, family traditions, positive affirmations, and learning environment for kids

Download the Gentle Parenting Morning Routine Checklist for a Calm and Positive Start to Your Day!

2. Positive Affirmations to Build Confidence

At first, I’ll admit, positive affirmations for kids felt a little over the top, but I’ve come to see their power. Practicing positive affirmations is a way to set a foundation of self-worth and kindness that can last a lifetime. Each morning as we get dressed, I say positive affirmations for kids with Carolynn, mixing in phrases that align with our faith as well. These simple phrases reinforce the idea that she’s strong, capable, and loved.

Daily Affirmations We Use:

“I am strong. I am kind. I am loved.”
“I can do anything with God’s help.”
“I am important, and my thoughts matter.”

The beauty of positive affirmations for kids is that they become a guiding voice inside their heads, helping children face challenges with positivity. As children get older, these phrases will come to mind when they encounter tough situations, reminding them that they have inner strength.

Tips for Incorporating Affirmations:

Make it playful: Use gestures or dance moves along with each phrase to make affirmations fun and memorable.
Add seasonal or specific affirmations: For example, “I am ready for new adventures at school!” or “I am excited to make new friends.”
Personalize affirmations: As kids grow, help them create their own affirmations that resonate with them.

3. Creating a Learning Environment at Home

Learning at home doesn’t have to feel like formal school—it can be as simple as encouraging curiosity and exploration. I like to incorporate learning into play by talking to Carolynn about different items, their names, colors, and where they go. This gives her a base of understanding, establishes a learning environment for kids, and helps build her vocabulary naturally.

Making Reading Part of Play

Carolynn loves books, so we read daily, usually around eight books each day! Making reading a regular part of her playtime has made her excited about stories and learning new words. We keep her books in a low basket that’s easy for her to reach, encouraging her to explore on her own. This habit of reading together is one of our family traditions that is also an amazing bonding experience.

Adding Simple Learning Tools

We use the Animal Island Learning Adventure Sit & Play (AILA), an interactive learning device with games focused on shapes, colors, and animals. It’s a great resource for guided screen time and has become a regular part of our routine. Choosing educational but fun tools helps balance screen time while fostering a love for learning environment for kids is crucial.

Tips for Creating a Learning Environment

Designate a learning corner: Fill it with age-appropriate books, toys, and art supplies. This could be a small corner in the living room or her bedroom.
Switch up learning tools regularly: Rotate toys and books every few weeks to keep things fresh and exciting.
Celebrate new skills: When your child learns something new, celebrate it with praise or a fun activity, like making a craft that showcases the new skill.

4. Creating Traditions for the First Day of “School”

Even if your little one isn’t going to “big school” yet, celebrating the first day of the school season creates excitement. Traditions like taking a photo, grabbing a special treat, or giving a small “school” gift (like a new book or toy) make this time of year feel magical.

First-Day Traditions We Love:

A first-day breakfast celebration: Start the day with family traditions like favorite breakfast, like pancakes or waffles. Adding fun toppings, such as fruit or sprinkles, creates a special atmosphere.
A small gift for back-to-school: Gift something related to learning, like a new book or a colorful set of crayons.
A celebratory outing: If we have the time, I take Carolynn out for ice cream or a smoothie to mark the first day of the school season its one of our family traditions. This small gesture shows her that learning and routines are things to celebrate!

Making Traditions a Meaningful Part of the Year

Traditions don’t have to be big or expensive. Over time, these small gestures help children feel grounded and secure, with fun family rituals that they’ll look forward to year after year.

5. Building a Calm Evening Routine to End the Day

An evening routine helps children wind down, reflecting on their day and feeling at ease before bed. For us, this routine involves a simple sequence of dinner, bath time, stories, and snuggles. Ending the day with books and bedtime stories not only improves literacy but also fosters a love for learning.

Tips for a Relaxing Evening Routine:

Incorporate family gratitude: We each say one thing we’re grateful for from the day. Even though Carolynn can’t quite answer on her own yet, this practice will eventually teach her to reflect on positive moments.
Use calming scents or soft music: A lavender diffuser or gentle lullabies make bedtime extra soothing.
Create a routine around pajamas and brushing teeth: These small, comforting actions can help kids feel more in control and settled as they transition into sleep.

6. Keeping the Momentum Going: Adjusting Routines Over Time

One of the biggest challenges with routines is maintaining them. Children grow, schedules change, and some routines may need tweaking. As Carolynn grows, we’ll adjust these routines to keep them age-appropriate and meaningful. For instance, her morning goals might evolve from “sharing kindly” to “finishing a small puzzle,” giving her new challenges that fit her age while still sneaking in that learning environment for kids.

Tips for Adapting Routines:

Check in monthly: Take a few minutes each month to think about what’s working or what might need a change. Are there new challenges you can address with a morning goal?
Involve your child: As kids grow, let them suggest their own goals or positive affirmations for kids.
Celebrate small milestones: When a child grows out of one routine (like practicing sharing), celebrate it! They’ll see it as a new chapter and look forward to whatever’s next.

Getting All Wrapped Up for Back To School:

Building back-to-school routines and family traditions for little ones is an opportunity to bring joy, security, and structure into everyday life. It’s also a way to create a great learning environment for kids as well as memories they’ll carry with them, even into adulthood. I hope these ideas inspire you to create moments of connection with your own family, helping everyone feel a little more excited about the rhythm of the school season.

If you’re looking for even more ideas and tips, check out these blog posts from other amazing moms who have embraced back-to-school traditions with young kids!

Seketa’s 5 Easy Tips for a Successful School Year

Here’s to a wonderful back-to-school season filled with love, learning, and new memories!

Lexie Noelle Undem

I'm Lexie, and The Undem Family Adventures is where our real life shows up. You'll find easy, allergy-friendly recipes, family travel, gentle parenting, crafts, and the little systems that keep us going.