Back to School Success – Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology Tips for a Smooth Start

The start of a new school year is an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming for many children and families. Changes in routines, expectations, environments, and social demands can impact a child’s ability to settle into school confidently. Occupational therapists (OTs) and speech pathologists (SPs) support children across all ages to build the skills needed for a successful and positive return to school.

Preschool

For preschoolers, back-to-school often means their first experience away from home or adjusting to longer days and group environments. At this stage, therapy focuses on building independence, emotional regulation, and early communication skills.

• Encourage independence with self-care tasks such as putting on shoes, managing hats, and opening lunch containers

• Support emotional development by naming feelings and reading books about starting preschool

• Build early communication skills through play, singing, and shared reading

• Use visual schedules and consistent routines to help children understand what to expect during the day

Occupational therapists support fine motor development, sensory regulation, and independence, while speech pathologists help develop early language, listening skills, and social communication.

Primary School

Primary school brings increased expectations for attention, learning, and independence. Children are required to follow instructions, complete classroom tasks, and manage social interactions more independently.

• Strengthen fine motor skills needed for handwriting, cutting, and classroom tasks

• Support receptive and expressive language skills for understanding instructions and sharing ideas

• Encourage independence with school bags, homework routines, and classroom organisation

• Teach emotional regulation strategies to manage frustration, transitions, and peer interactions

OT and SP support can help children feel confident in the classroom and better equipped to manage academic and social demands.

High School

High school students face increased workloads, complex social expectations, and greater responsibility for managing their time and learning.

• Support executive functioning skills such as planning, organisation, and time management

• Develop self-advocacy skills so students can communicate their needs to teachers

• Improve expressive language for written assignments, presentations, and group discussions

• Support emotional wellbeing by developing coping strategies for stress and anxiety

Early support during this transition can prevent small challenges from becoming ongoing difficulties.