As summer begins to fade into distant memories, the anticipation of school brings excitement. However, it is wise to take time to prepare your children as the new school year descends upon us. A familiar routine will get the school year off to a great start.
Re-establish regular routines
Routines and rituals help define your days, structure your time and provide a sense of order that all of us seem to crave. Ease children back into a school year routine gradually. As the summer days wind down, put your kids on a schedule similar to the one they will have this fall. Gradually send them to bed earlier and begin waking late sleepers earlier and earlier, closer to the hour they will need to rise when school begins. Do not neglect to help your children readjust to mealtimes. Younger children, in particular, need to adapt to new meal routines before the school day demands it of them. Plan meals and snacks to accustom little ones to rituals of the school day before the school year begins.
Establish a morning routine
• Put an alarm clock in each school-aged child's bedroom and show your children how to use it. This will help your children get used to a regular sleep routine and help to make them more independent.
• Have every capable family member make their bed; put away pyjamas; and tidy their bedrooms.
• Make sure everyone eats breakfast-including yourself! To keep things simple in the morning, you may want to offer cereal, frozen waffles, frozen pancakes, or even the leftovers from last night's meal.
• After breakfast, have each family member set the dishes to soak in the sink or stack them in the dishwasher.
• You may have to establish a "bathroom" schedule for your family so that everyone is ensured of proper time in front of the mirror.
• Make sure everyone is dressed properly and has their lunches before they head out the door.
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