Going to school for the first time or starting a new grade can be unnerving for a lot of kids, who are naturally inquisitive — sometimes to the point of making themselves anxious. Children’s counselors encourage parents to listen to their children’s concerns and help them express their thoughts to set the foundations for logical reasoning and independent problem-solving later on, Mari-Jane Williams writes for the Washington Post.

Staying organized is key to smoothing the transition from laidback summer days to the structure of early mornings and homework-filled evenings, says parenting blogger Becky Mansfield. She suggests taking the time to plan ahead on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis by preparing everything from meals to outfits to study schedules, and creating a designated workspace for homework and studying. Older students should also be encouraged to take the lead in creating their own plans and schedules to stay organized without requiring helicopter parenting.