Your kid says they don't want to go and you honestly can't tell if it's real. The answer everyone gives you is anxiety. Sometimes it is. Often it's one of three other things, and the response that helps one of them does nothing for the rest.

A preschool director told me something on the first day of school that has explained every August since. Not just for three year olds. For every age, every year, after every long break, whether its after summer break, winter break, or spring break.

Your child didn’t forget everything over the summer. They just haven’t had enough safe, supported chances to recall it. Here’s the science-backed truth about memory, school readiness, and why your calm—not cramming—is what actually helps.