MNLS BLOGS
Starting school is a big transition—for kids and parents. We’re cheering you on, and we’re here if you need support.
September, 2025
Remember how exhausting it feels to start a new job?
The new schedule. The new people. The pressure to learn everything quickly while pretending you’ve got it all together.
That’s what back-to-school feels like for many of our kids.
New teachers. New routines. New expectations. New content.It’s no wonder your child is more tired, more emotional, or maybe even more resistant right now. They’re doing the mental and emotional equivalent of starting their first full-time job.
Let’s give them a little grace. And a lot of support.
Here are a few tips to ease the transition:
Extra sleep – Their brains and bodies are working overtime to adjust. Early bedtimes help. Limit after-school plans – Keep evenings simple at first. They need time to recover. Focus on connection, not correction – Instead of jumping into homework talk, try: “What was something fun or weird that happened today?” Trust your gut – If something feels off, it probably is. You don’t need to have all the answers—but you can follow your instincts.
And let’s not forget: starting a new school year can be hard on parents, too.
You’re juggling new routines, re-learning how to pack lunches (again), managing emotions (theirs and yours), and maybe even wrestling with your own back-to-school memories. Be kind to yourself. Your nervous system is adjusting, too.
A few gentle reminders for you:
You don’t have to have it all figured out right away Take shortcuts where you can (hello, frozen meals) Celebrate small wins, yours and theirs You’re doing better than you think
We’re cheering you and your child on as you begin this new school year. And anytime you feel like you might need a bit of support, we’re here.
Warmly,
Tracy
Email us a picture of one of your clay models that you would like to be shared in an upcoming newsletter.
Help us celebrate Jax for completing his Davis Dyslexia Mastery Program!
One of the words Jax explored during the week was intention, and that couldn’t have been more fitting. Jax showed up each day ready to learn, focused on his goals, and determined to grow.
He came in wanting to improve his handwriting, spelling, and reading fluency. By the end of the week, he had made progress in all of those areas and more. Jax now feels more confident in his writing at work, has tools to spell any word he needs, and can read his own handwriting with ease. He shared that spelling and handwriting were his biggest wins—and his mom was so proud she even took a picture to send to his nana. 
Special shoutout to Connect 4, their favorite break-time game. Jax kept Sydney on her toes the whole week!
Way to go, Jax! 
We’re giving a big shoutout to Lainey for all the growth she experienced during her reading program at Minnesota Learning Solutions!
Lainey came in wanting reading to feel less scary, to feel more confident during tests, and to actually understand what she was reading. She met each of those goals and then some.
She improved her reading level by a full grade, no longer needs her finger to follow along, and learned how to hop off the hamster wheel of confusion by using her focus tool to reset. Her parents were so surprised (in the best way) when they saw her catch confusion early and move through it with confidence, something that used to end in frustration and tears.
One moment that really stood out was when Lainey mastered the word Gigantic and still remembered how to spell it the next day. That’s the power of Davis tools. When we focus on true mastery, the learning sticks.
Lainey, you were such a joy to work with. We’re so proud of your courage, your growth, and your new story around reading.
Help us celebrate Emmett and all that he accomplished during his reading program. His goals were to make reading easier, be able to spell and write his last name, and even learn how to snap his fingers. He met every single one.
Along the way, Emmett also improved his handwriting and discovered his own “reset button” to use whenever he feels confused. On top of that, we had plenty of fun breaks with Jenga.
It’s amazing how an understanding of how one learns and a few cool tools can completely change how a person feels about learning and themselves.
Way to go, Emmett!
Rosie loves to build and create, but after one “failure” she hides her inventions away. With the encouragement of her great-great-aunt, she learns that mistakes are not the end, they are the first step to success.
This story reminds me so much of the kids I work with. Many come to me feeling discouraged, hiding their brilliance because learning has not clicked yet. But when they discover tools that work with their unique mind, they realize confusion is not failure, it is the beginning of clarity.
A must-read for sparking conversations about resilience, creativity, and confidence.
