We all feel more confident and secure when our daily activities are predictable and familiar. Children are no different and may be experiencing a little nervousness as the new school year is approaching. A routine can bring some peace to the chaos and uncertainty. Fortunately, there are ways you can get started on it now.
“First, it’s really important to clearly communicate with your children that you want to alleviate stress and anxiety for them and that a new school year routine will help everyone,” says Dr. Roopa Shah, an SSM Health family medicine physician. “You can start by gradually starting the bedtime earlier and earlier before the start of school.”
Dr. Shah recommends starting the bedtime routine 15 to 20 minutes earlier each week until you reach the goal time. To help your kids get a solid 8 hours of restful sleep, stick to the scheduled, regular bedtime. It’s also a good idea for children to turn off phones and computers long before they begin getting ready for bed.
“Another thing to consider is building in transition time. A tight schedule puts everyone on edge, so build in some buffer time. When things go wrong and take a bit more time, it won’t be stressful if you’ve budgeted a few more minutes than you’ll actually need for each thing that needs to be done,” says Dr. Shah.
You can also begin building a positive association with school by talking about the things your kids are going to like. Help them look forward to the excitement of a new experience. This can motivate them to begin working on the routine with you.
Finally, everyone may benefit by organizing your home with school zones. Whether you have bins or cubbies, designate a certain area for school stuff so you can avoid those desperate, last-minute searches for lost items before they head out the door in the morning.
“A successful school day starts the night before with a schedule that is age-appropriate and a positive attitude. You can set your children up for success by preparing them to learn and have an enjoyable, productive day with a routine or schedule that really works for them.”
