School is back! While it may be difficult to comprehend that summer vacations are already in the rearview mirror, it’s time to get your kids back into learning mode. Although summer break is an excellent time for families to slow down, travel together, and have fun, studies show that “summer learning loss” is common during those months off. A recent study by Scholastic found that kids in grades 3 to 5 lose about 20% of their school year gains in reading and 27% of their gains in math. Getting your children back into a schedule is tough no matter what, but if you are a single parent, you must be both the fun parent and the enforcer of the rules. Here are some tips on how you can help your children transition more effectively from summer-fun mode back into learning mode.

First, establish a routine. Start by reintroducing a school-year routine at least a week before classes begin. This includes setting a consistent bedtime and wake-up time, planning regular mealtimes, and scheduling study periods without phones, tablets or TV. A predictable routine helps children feel secure and makes the early days of school less stressful. Another way to prepare your children for back-to-school is to incorporate activities like reading or educational games, which can help re-ignite their learning minds.