Get a Morning Routine Established for Back-To-School Time
As we approach the beginning of the 2024/2025 school year for the Mon Valley - Pittsburgh East families, we should start to brainstorm the best way to approach school mornings and keep a routine. A well-structured routine can help alleviate stress for both the parents and children and helps set a positive vibe for the rest of the day. Macaroni KID Mon Valley - Pittsburgh East has some tips to creating a successful morning routine for the rest of the school year.
Plan The Night Before
A great way to simplify every morning is to get as much done the night before. Lay out your outfits, pack lunches (check out our article on Meal Prepping here!) and ensure your backpacks are filled with the necessary items for the following day. By being proactive the day before or even on Sunday nights to prep for the week ahead, helps save time in the mornings which allows more time to getting ready or catching some extra Zzz’s. Being ahead also helps reduce anxiety and prevents last-minute scrambles.
Keep Your Wake-Up Schedule Consistent
When it comes to your morning routine, consistency is absolutely essential. By establishing a regular wake-up time, this allows you as well as other members of your family to have enough time to get ready for the day without any rushing around the house. You should always leave a little bit of wiggle room with time to account for any unexpected delays. You should also adjust your child’s betime and wake-up times gradually the weeks leading up to the first day of school. This will help adjust them accordingly to the new school routine and schedule. When a child (or even adults!) are well-rested, they are more likely to be energized and ready to take on the day.
Healthy Habits
Starting your day with a nutritious breakfast and some physical exercise can help set the tone in a positive way for the day. Be sure to include certain things in your child’s breakfast such as fruits, vegetables, grains and protein to maintain a healthy intake of food. Going for a quick walk or even a stretch before going out the door can boost energy levels in your child and help improve their focus throughout the day. Healthy habits usually contribute to better academic performance.
Visual Schedules
One of the most effective tools we use in our house is visual schedules and lists. This is a very effective tool for most people who may struggles with time management. Using things such as a printed or dry erase board/calendar that outlines the routine step-by-step can help you tackle tasks one-by-one. Visual cues help kids stay on track with their responsibilities and can give them a sense of independence and control within their day. When you involve your children in making these schedules, it also teaches responsibility and motivation to follow through with their tasks.
Positive Environments Only
Setting a positive, yet calm environment for your children can make mornings easier and more enjoyable for everyone involved. You can do things such as playing some music, say words of affirmations to ourselves and each other and do one thing that brings you joy if you have the time. Avoid stressful situations as much as possible to prevent morning meltdowns, especially in much younger children. The goal is to create a routine that works for everyone and sets a positive tone for the day.
When taking these steps, you can establish a great routine for your family that eliminates chaos and stress. With a little bit of work to prepare for the school year and consistency, back-to-school time for your family can be smooth and a stress-free part of your day!
Check out other fun tips and tricks in our Back-To-School Guide!
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Looking to sponsor an article or guide? Email mandiec@macaronikid.com
