The sisters have got their school bags, new uniforms and colouring pencils ready to go.

Victoria, 5, will have a few of her preschool friends starting with her in kindergarten while Alexandra, 3, will experience some more structure in her days at preschool.

"I just keep reminding them that, you know, very soon you're going to start school ... reminding them what to do so that they won't get the shock after such a long break," their mother Candie Ng said.

University of Canberra associate professor of psychology Dr Vivienne Lewis said the last week of holidays should be spent getting back into a regular routine.

"Make sure that they're getting used to going to bed at a reasonable time, that they're getting enough sleep, and they're getting up in the morning at the time that they might be going to school so that when it comes to that school week it's not a big shock," she said.

If your child seems to get easily upset and irritated or doesn't seem like themselves it could indicate that they're nervous about their first day of school.

Dr Lewis said it was important to have an emphasis on things to look forward to, such as seeing friends again and what they might get out of this year.

She said having something to look forward to after school, like a special afternoon tea or a favourite dinner, could ease first day nerves.

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Laurien Beane, an Australian Catholic University lecturer and co-ordinator of undergraduate early childhood courses, said it was important to foster independence in younger children.

"It's sometimes challenging for children, they'll get ... a brand new lunchbox and water bottle and everything and they can't always manage to get the lids off themselves, for example," she said.

"Just making sure that they've got practice if everything's new, and making sure they can do all of that themselves so [they can] sit down next to a friend and start their lunch rather than needing assistance from nearby adults."

She suggested making sure that young children can put on and remove their shoes and socks by themselves and go to the toilet independently.

It's also a good idea to visit the school grounds before the first day and try to meet up with other children in the class for a play date if possible.

Talking to young children about their interests can help them to make friends and prepare them for the foundation year, which starts with talking about the environment and children's own experiences.

"Often kids, they're not very good with small talk and things like that so even practising 'What are you going to say when you see somebody new?' and practicing things like 'Say hello' or 'How was your holiday?'" Dr Lewis said.