NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As the back-to-school season approaches, education experts from Middle Tennessee State University offered tips on WKRN-TV’s “MTSU on 2” segment to help parents prepare their children for a smooth and successful return to the classroom. 

Robyn Ridgley, associate dean and professor in MTSU’s College of Education, and Amanda Akers, a school counselor at Homer Pittard Campus School, appeared on “Local on 2” on Friday, July 25, to offer strategies for managing children’s back-to-school stress and ways to build healthy routines ahead of the upcoming academic year.

Watch the segment below.

“Families can feel confident that teachers and school personnel have been working hard to prepare for the new school year,” said Ridgley. “They’re ready to help kids get acclimated and settled in.” 

Ridgley emphasized the importance of re-establishing daily routines before school starts. 

“Routine, routine, routine is key,” she said. “Getting your kids back on a regular sleep schedule — waking up, going to bed, and eating meals at the same times each day for a week or two — can make a big difference.” 

She also advised parents to reduce screen time, which typically spikes during the summer months.

“Kids may have had more screen time over the break, but they won’t have that luxury during the school day,” Ridgley said. “Cutting back now helps reduce their dependency on digital stimulation and gets them ready for a structured environment.” 

Akers talked about the emotional side of the back-to-school transition, especially for children starting at a new school or entering unfamiliar classrooms. 

“Kids might not always say they’re nervous, but it can show up in other ways — bellyaches, restlessness or irritability,” she explained. “It’s important for parents to recognize those signs as typical anxiety.” 

To help ease that nervousness, Akers suggests creating space for calm and open conversations. 

“Wait until they’re calm before you talk,” she said. “You can go for a walk, get some ice cream, and then ask what’s on their mind. Talk through their day, look up their teacher’s photo on the school website, review their schedule if it’s available.” 

Akers also stresses the importance of parent-school communication. 

“As a counselor, I encourage parents to reach out to their child’s teacher or counselor,” she said. “If something’s going on at home — a move, a family illness, academic concerns — let us know. The more we understand, the better we can support your child.” 

To learn more about MTSU’s College of Education and how to pursue a career as a teacher, counselor, librarian, or school leader, visit education.mtsu.edu.  

— Kristen Keene (Kristen.Keene@mtsu.edu)