Hey friend, it has been a while. With the new academic year around the corner, back to school routines are on my mind.

This year I took a really long summer holiday, because my little boy is about to start Reception next week. What better way to celebrate such a milestone than to spend time in the motherland — Bulgaria.

It was a proper family holiday — grandparents, cousins, friends, but most importantly, family. I wanted my son to connect with his roots and finally feel confident speaking Bulgarian. Although both of us (his parents) are Bulgarian and we speak it at home, his first language has always been English. Watching him start to pick up Bulgarian more naturally this summer has been so special.

It also made me reflect on how children acquire language and skills in general. We often talk about teaching and learning, but not enough about the power of simply observing, listening, and absorbing. Children are masters of picking things up just by being immersed in them.

Now we are back in the UK and facing a new chapter. A brand-new routine is waiting for us. For my son, it means going off to “big school” for the first time. For me, it means adjusting as a mother to this new season.

Routine is something children truly thrive on. That is why, this week, I am starting to incorporate small changes into our daily life — earlier bedtimes, a calmer morning rhythm, and gentle reintroductions to handwriting and reading practice. These little steps will ease him into the school term, help him feel settled, and give me the breathing space I need to process everything, too.

You might think that being a teacher would make this transition easier. The truth is, it does not. The emotions and anxieties are still very real. Letting go of the nursery years feels huge. Watching your child step into independence feels even bigger.

So here’s to new beginnings, fresh routines, and giving ourselves grace as parents while our children step into their next adventure.

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Parent Tip Box: 3 Ways to Ease Your Child into a School Routine

• Shift bedtime gradually – move bedtime 10–15 minutes earlier each night until your child is rested and ready for busy school days.

• Create a calm morning flow – lay out clothes, pack the bag, and set a breakfast plan the night before. It reduces stress for everyone.

• Build mini practice moments – just 5 minutes a day for handwriting, reading, or simple maths keeps skills fresh without overwhelming your child.

Handwriting Ideas by Year Group

• Reception – Show your child one letter a week. Model how to write it while saying the sound (not the name), then play “I Spy” with that sound. Example: A = apple, alligator.

• Year 1 – Spend 5 minutes practising reading and writing three- or four-letter words. Turn them into simple sentences together.

• Year 2 – Read a short text and encourage your child to write down the answers to the questions you ask about it.

• Year 3 and up – Ask your child to write a short blurb about their favourite summer book and explain why they would recommend it to a friend.