Establishing a School Day Routine

School starts at The Goddard School of Wall on September 6th! Here are some helpful tips to establish a daily school day routine in the last weeks of summer.

• Set a school-night bedtime. The entire family will probably need to start waking up earlier than usual once school begins, so set an earlier time for you and your child to hit the sack each night. This will ensure you all get the proper amount of rest needed to tackle the busy morning routine and be bright and alert for the school/work day.

• Prepare the night before. Pack lunches, backpacks and choose clothes for the next day the night before. Check notes from the school/teacher to make sure your child has everything they need for school the next day. Find a location near the door to set shoes, backpacks and other school necessities so everything is ready to go when you leave the house in the morning.

• Create your own “Have a great day!” signal. Involve your child in developing a special way for the two of you to say good-bye to each other when you drop them off at school in the morning. It could be a funny handshake, secret phrase or even just a wink and smile. Only the two of you will know you really mean, “Have a great day! I love you.”

• Allow unwind time. Set aside some time to allow your child to unwind at the end of the day. Children need this, especially during the first few weeks of getting into the back-to-school routine. The change in schedule can be overwhelming, so having some time to relax or play quietly when they get home from school can be beneficial.

• Recap the day together. Whether around the dinner table or during one-on-one time with your little one each evening, ask them about their day and share yours with them. You’ll both benefit from the special time together to listen and share.

Back to School Prep

Parents can help make the “back to school” transition much smoother for their child if they prepare in advance. Try to add activities or planned outings to your child’s day. This structure helps prepare them to be on a schedule when they return to the classroom. If the child will be going to a new school, parents may want to schedule a visit with their child before the first day. Consider taking your child on a fun shopping trip where they can help pick out their clothes, lunchbox and supplies.

Ensuring your child has adequate sleep and proper nutrition is very important. Your child will do their best if they get to sleep early and eat a healthy breakfast each day before school. A daily diet of junk food is not compatible with learning. It can cause listlessness and hyperactivity which can impair a child’s ability to learn. Skipping breakfast especially is a detriment to a child’s education.

Adjust your child’s sleep schedule a few weeks in advance to help avoid struggling to get them out of bed for school. Set up a consistent daily routine so that your child wakes up and goes to sleep at the same times each day. If you have not created one already, start a bedtime routine, including bathing, selecting clothes for the next day, cuddling together for a bedtime story and a kiss goodnight. Begin a regular morning routine that includes a healthy breakfast, packing a nutritious lunch, grooming and getting dressed for the day.