Get the school year off to a great start with productive routines
It’s the beginning of a new school year—the perfect time to set the stage for learning success. Try these simple strategies with your child:
- Get a head start. Many families find that organizing at night prevents morning “rush hour.” You can review school papers, pack and refrigerate lunches, set backpacks by the door and agree on outfits.
- Establish sleep routines. Choose a reasonable bedtime so your child is rested when it’s time to wake up. Elementary schoolers need between nine and 12 hours of sleep daily. Try to stick to the bedtime on weekends, too.
- Develop morning habits. When children do the same things in the same order each morning, it’s less likely that they will forget a step.
- Choose a work time. Establish a time when your child will have the most energy and motivation to do assignments. Create a quiet study spot, complete with necessary supplies. Your child should work at the same time each day.
- Use tools for organization. Teach your child how to use calendars, to-do lists, sticky notes, and a filing system for schoolwork and important papers.
- Set priorities. Schedule things like schoolwork, family meals and even free time on a calendar. Treat them like appointments. If there are open blocks of time, your child can add activities.
Find more great articles in the September 2022 issue of Parents Make the Difference!® newsletter.
Reprinted with permission from the September 2022 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Elementary School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2022 The Parent Institute®, a division of PaperClip Media, Inc.