Getting Back In The School Groove

Now that school has started it is time to reflect on your family routines. What is working well and what needs some tweaking?

As kids get reacquainted with their old friends and meet new friends, their interests can quickly change.Check in with your child and see what they are currently interested in. When your child comes back from school, they may be exhausted; use this time to play with them and build positive connections. Make sure you are making it fun and not demanding after a long, hard day of school.  

My children love a little “chill out” when they finish a long day of school, but I want to make sure it is meaningful and not turning into an entire afternoon. That’s where visual schedules can come into play to help structure your afternoon. This schedule works for my children; even though the youngest doesn’t have homework yet, we use this time to read together. I love that the words are paired with pictures to help with literacy. I have this laminate and have the kids check it off with a washable marker. That way it is one less thing for me to have to make and get ready. 

My eldest child needs a set space to work in and so we like to set up a space for her to do her homework. The space doesn't need to be huge, but a small space designated for school.  Ideally, this would be in a room that is free of toys and electronics. If you don’t have a room like that, you can just put the toys and electronics out of sight for this time. This will help eliminate the temptation to get up from work to play with whatever is in sight.

I also like to offer choices when it comes to starting homework. 

Do you want to do your math first or spelling? Do you want to work for 10 minutes or 15 before you take a break? Would you like to use the scented pencil or a regular one? Giving choices when you can, allows the child to feel a little bit in control and help them feel better about doing their work. Ofcourse, only give choices that you can live with. Skipping homework should not be a choice. 

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