Book Now
Back-to-school season often kicks off with the same checklist: new backpack, freshly sharpened pencils, color-coded binders, and maybe even a shiny planner full of promise. These items give us a sense of control, like we’re gearing up for success. But the truth is, what sets students up for a successful year isn’t what’s in their backpack—it’s what’s going on in their mind.
Mindset Over Materials
While organization systems can support learning, they’re not the magic fix many families hope for—especially for neurodivergent learners. What’s far more powerful (and often overlooked) is the mindset a student brings into the classroom. Emotional regulation and flexible thinking—the cornerstones of executive function—are what truly help students stay on track when plans change, mistakes happen, or anxiety creeps in.
Consider this: What good is a color-coded binder system for a child who struggles to stay organized? To curb the unraveling, rehearse the likely scenario that their favorite teacher is absent? Executive function skills like emotional regulation allow kids to stay calm under pressure. Cognitive flexibility helps them adapt when things don’t go as planned. These mental tools are worth far more than any set of supplies.
Simple Strategy: “Name it to Tame it”
One of the simplest but most powerful tools for emotional regulation is the practice of naming emotions out loud. Coined by Dr. Dan Siegel, “Name it to tame it” allows children to build awareness of their emotional state without judgment. When a student can say, “I’m feeling overwhelmed” or “I’m frustrated because this is hard,” their brain begins to shift out of fight-or-flight and into a place of problem-solving.
It’s like pressing a reset button. And you can model this too. Next time your child is spiraling, try reflecting back: “It sounds like you’re feeling anxious about math. Let’s take a deep breath and figure out what step comes next.”
PAUSE Before Planning
Another powerful mindset tool is something I call “PAUSE before planning.” Instead of rushing straight into solving the problem or fixing the emotion, teach your child to pause and notice what they’re thinking and feeling. Are they catastrophizing (“I’ll never get this done!”)? Are they assuming the worst (“The teacher must think I’m lazy”)?
Helping kids slow down in those moments teaches metacognition—thinking about their thinking—and builds resilience. Only after pausing can planning become productive.
A New Back-to-School Mindset
So what does it really mean to build a back-to-school mindset? It means preparing your child emotionally and mentally, not just academically. It means shifting from “What supplies do we need?” to “How can we build habits of awareness, adaptability, and self-compassion?”
When we equip kids with a mindset that supports growth, they begin to realize: It’s okay to make mistakes. I can handle unexpected changes. I don’t have to be perfect to succeed. That’s the kind of confidence that carries them through the school year—long after the newness of their backpack wears off.
The Takeaway
This year, let’s still grab the folders and highlighters—but let’s also carve out space to talk about feelings, expectations, and the brain tools that matter most. A regulated, flexible, and growth-oriented mindset is the ultimate back-to-school supply.
Because in the end, it’s not about having the most organized binder.
It’s about having the mindset that says, “I’ve got this—even when things don’t go exactly as planned.”