Whether you’re sending a child to school for the first time or getting them back into the groove of yet another year of learning, you can set them up for success with some simple strategies.

With a new school year quickly approaching, now is the time to revisit past routines, stock backpacks and have some heart-to-heart conversations.

“Getting into a routine is key whether you’re preparing a younger or older child for school,” says Dr. Lucretia Carter, medical director of Tidelands Health Pediatrics.

A new school year can be scary for a first-timer or a returning student. Here are seven quick tips to get your child school-ready:

Getting adequate and quality sleep is essential for learning and preventing moodiness and bad behavior when school is back in session. Dr. Carter suggests resuming bedtime routines at least a week before the start so they’re in a good pattern.

“A bedtime routine is important,” Dr. Carter says. “If you have a night owl, you might have to start even earlier.”

In the weeks before school, reduce screen time and exposure to electronic devices, and instead encourage your child to read books or help build something that requires their full attention and focus.

Kids will experience frustration at home and at school when things don’t always go as planned. To help hone self-control skills, teach a child to take a few deep breaths to reset and regroup.

“Try to find out what they need to help them refocus and communicate with the teacher about what’s acceptable for your child at school,” Dr. Carter says. “What works at home might not work at school. Talk to your child’s teacher to see what might work best at school.”

Talk with your child about any hesitations or anxieties they may have about the upcoming school year. Dr. Carter says little things that may seem insignificant to you can be a big deal to them.

“Talk with them about why they feel a certain way and talk strategies on how to overcome,” she says. “Let them know they can come to you about anything without being judged. Allow them to have a free space to vent.”

Discuss rules and expectations about schedules, homework and curfews long before school starts so everyone is on the same page.

“If you do this, you have to stick to it and give consequences for failing to obey,” Dr. Carter says. “You could even put it in black and white like in a written contract. That can be helpful for all involved.”

Children who eat a nutritious breakfast do better in school and demonstrate sharper concentration, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. A breakfast containing protein is best, but if time is limited, send them off with a packable snack such as a granola bar or a banana and a pack of nuts.

On school nights, encourage your child to pick out their outfit for the next morning and pack their bookbag with essential supplies, including homework. Set timers or provide checklists to keep them on task. To hone planning skills, let them have a say in what’s served at mealtimes at home so they feel empowered and give them a role at the grocery store while shopping for the menu.

Setting up your child for a successful school year should begin long before the first bell rings. Parents can help them succeed by simply being their biggest cheerleader, Dr. Carter says.

“Make sure they have school supplies and are getting good sleep,” she says. “Keep the lines of communication open and let them know you’re going to be there for them no matter what.”