After a summer of fun, helping children start the school year with the right attitude can make or break their level of success that year. In 151 Ways to Start the School Year Off Right, Robin McClure offers parents easy-to-do strategies and activities for helping children start the year off on the right foot: Begin adjusting sleep schedules at least three weeks prior to the first day of school. Proclaim the day before the school year starts as belonging to your child. Role play with your child what the school day will be like. Families with school-age children average $563.49 on back-to-school merchandise.