As summer winds down, a family entertainment expert shares practical ways parents can ease children into earlier mornings, structured days and the emotional demands of a new school year.

The return to school is often presented as a fresh start, but for children, it can also mean a sudden shift from relaxed summer days to early mornings, packed schedules and a new set of expectations.

Rather than expecting children to settle immediately, parents can ease the transition by giving them time and space to adjust. Jennifer Hogan, Director of Family Entertainment at Hattan Group and Lemonade Play, says the first few weeks can be particularly demanding as children navigate new classrooms, teachers, friendships, routines and responsibilities.

Why children may struggle after school

A child who appears perfectly settled at school may behave very differently once they get home. According to Hogan, this can be because children spend much of their school day concentrating, managing emotions, following instructions and navigating social relationships.

By the time they return home, they may simply be out of emotional and cognitive energy.

Home can also be the place where children feel safe enough to release emotions they have been holding in throughout the day. That can mean irritability, tears, silence or resistance to even simple requests.

One way to help is to introduce a 20- to 30-minute decompression window after school. Instead of immediately asking about homework, activities or how the day went, give children time for a snack, quiet, movement or simply being together.

Five ways to make the transition easier

1. Give them time to decompress

The period immediately after school does not have to become another structured part of the day. Allow children to snack, move around, relax or spend some quiet time before homework and questions begin.

2. Do not push for a full report

“How was school?” may be met with “I don’t know” or a shrug. Instead of repeatedly asking questions, give children time to process their day. They may open up later when they are ready.

3. Make space for play

Simple, open-ended activities such as colouring, building blocks or magnetic tiles can give children an opportunity to transition out of school mode. The emphasis is on letting them choose what they want to do rather than turning play into another lesson.

4. Let them repeat themselves

Children often repeat games and activities because repetition helps them develop mastery, predictability and confidence. Parents do not necessarily need to step in or tidy everything away as soon as a game appears to be finished.

5. Connect before you correct

A snack, a cuddle, a laugh or 10 minutes of play can sometimes be more effective than immediately giving another instruction. Connection can help children feel settled before parents address behaviour or responsibilities.

Making room for child-led play

Hogan also encourages parents to resist the temptation to fill every moment after school.

“Children do not come home from school empty. They come carrying a whole day of experiences,” she says.

Some children may want to talk, while others may need to move, play or simply be still. Giving them opportunities for child-led play allows them to choose, repeat, imagine and experiment at their own pace.

For parents, the goal is not necessarily to eliminate every difficult afternoon or prevent every meltdown. Instead, understanding what may be behind a child’s behaviour can help families create enough time, space and connection for children to reset.

This approach is also central to Lemonade Play, where discovery zones are designed around hands-on, open-ended play rather than structured lessons or performances. Families can incorporate play into the school-week routine through pay-and-play visits, flexible play plans and memberships.

Lemonade Play has locations at Arabian Center and Triple 777 Center in Dubai, and Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi. Lemonade Play