Back to school: Top tips every parent or carer should know

Whether a child is starting kinder or Prep or just another school year, it was an important milestone.

Australian Catholic University (ACU) early years expert Victoria Minson said that made parental positivity crucial.

"In the days leading up to school or kindergarten, talk about it in a positive way. It's so important to set the tone from the outset of education being an exciting, valuable, and fun lifelong experience," Dr Minson said.

"Use fun everyday moments to build familiarity with the school context, such as packing and using lunch or snack boxes [and] wearing new shoes or clothing."

ACU assessment expert Steven Lewis said study was a key part of school but setting up balance and healthy habits were equally important, especially for older kids.

"The senior years of secondary school are important, but it is equally important to balance studies with activities that help sustain mental and physical health and wellbeing," Associate Professor Lewis said.

"Work out a schedule that allows time for study, rest and the things [they] enjoy, such as playing sport or socialising with friends.

"It's also worth remembering that while [they] might have a career goal in mind for life after school, there are always many pathways to get there, and they don't all hinge entirely on [their] ATAR."

The experts said setting structure and habits was essential to making it through the school year, whether a child was in Prep or Year 12.

"Setting up sleep and wellbeing routines to help your little one have the energy and ability to deal with their newfound independence," Dr Minson said.

ACU inclusive education expert Matthew White said the familiarity of a good routine was often a lifesaver for kids who were reluctant to return to school.

Dr White said parents should talk to their school as early as possible about the year ahead especially if they had children with additional needs.

It was crucial for parents and teachers to be on the same page.

"Before engaging the school, reflect on the achievements of the previous year and consider what goals you wish your child to achieve over the course of the year," Dr White said.

"Consider the reasonable adjustments the teachers might make for your child to achieve those goals."

But perhaps the most important thing parents could do was open an ongoing dialogue with their child.

ACU Institute of Child Protection Studies director Daryl Higgins said asking "how was school?" didn't often yield much of a response but it was part of a process.

"That dialogue is something you have to build up and maintain, so you develop an emotionally attuned conversation," Professor Higgins said.

"It means that when you ask them how school, or a play date, or sleep over, went, you'll be able to notice that look in their eye or movement that hints something didn't go right."

Professor Higgins said parents had to resist "flipping out", pushing too hard or getting defensive in these conversations.

"That kind of reaction shuts the whole thing down and makes it less likely they'll open up next time," he said.

"You can even be a little bit vulnerable yourself, show that you empathise and that you were once a child in the same situation."

He said it was often best to chat while doing something else, rather than face-to-face or over the dinner table.

"Don't try to have intense conversations as the first or only discussion, try to open out dialogue when you're doing something else, like shopping, or driving, or going for a walk," he said.