While this week marks the return to school for students across the ACT, there will be several hundred who will be pulling on their school uniforms and heading into classrooms for the first time.

Among them is Sam Graham, 5, who will be attending Trinity Christian School in Wanniassa.

"I'm looking forward to doing reading and writing so I can play Pokemon on my own," he said.

Sam, who is the second child in the Graham family to attend school, said while he doesn't know what to expect he does know it will be different to preschool, with being able to play in the playground among the key differences.

Preparations for the first day have been underway since last year, with an orientation at the school as well as the chance to see his classroom and teacher last Friday.

Meanwhile, Charlotte Maher has been practising walking the short distance between her house and Sacred Heart Primary School in the lead up to the start of kindergarten on Monday.

The five-year-old said she was looking forward to making new friends as well as continuing her love of reading.

"I like to read chapter books like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," she said.

"It will be different to preschool because you are learning different things."

Her school uniform, bag, books and lunch box is all ready for the start of school, and her mum Jennifer said she was ready to go.

"She's excited to go to school, so it's a bit hard to be nervous about it," she said.

"She's the first child [in the family] to go to school so it will be very emotional."

Senior lecturer in early-childhood education at the Australian Catholic University Dr Cathie Harrison said it was important for parents not to become too stressed while getting back into the school routine.

"It's about not being too wound up about it, and for the parents, it's all about making sure they are in a calm space," she said.

"Children can pick up on adult stresses and when [adults] are frenetic, children can absorb that."

Dr Harrison said while it can take time to readjust to school life after the summer holidays, preparation the night before was the key.

She said getting enough sleep was also a way to ensure a smooth transition.

"The really important thing that people are forgetting in living busy lives is to ensure that children get enough sleep," she said.

"It's also important to encourage parents not to have a busy weekend so that children are rested."