The School year is in full bloom and I must confess…I couldn’t wait for it to start.
Don’t get me wrong, I love my babies and I’m always the first one crying when they start the school year but I welcome the school year wholeheartedly. It frees up time allowing for me to reflect and focus on my values about work, education, and to energize myself to better care for my children.
Getting the kids back on a routine for school is a little tough but so worth it. As a parent we want to teach them routines that will aide them long into their adult life. These life skills that are learned at a young age will help prepare them for the responsibilities of holding a job and becoming a productive member of society.
It’s also good to talk to your children about your routine. At dinner time when asking about how their day at school went, let them know about your day as well. These are good life lessons that help them learn self-improvement skills for them to use later in life when they are raising their own children.
Here are some tips on instilling good habits:
*Study Area – Designate a study area where children can sit down and work on their homework. If the parent reinforces study time this will eventually become a regular routine for the child. 
*Schedule time for homework – Recommended time for preschoolers is 10 minutes. Children in 1st and 2nd grade is 20-30 minutes depending on which grade they are. As they get older they will be need to invest more time in their homework but as an established habit they won’t mind or probably even notice. As good practice when they don’t have homework you want to sit them down for at least ten minutes to read. Reading is always a great habit to get used to. It will help enhance their vocabulary.
*Independence – Encourage your 1st grader to read their agenda/syllabus on their own. This helps make them less dependent on you as they come to know and understand their homework schedule. Positive reinforcement of this habit will allow for them to establish responsibility over their studies.
*Organization – Their backpacks should be set in the same spot at home everyday. This is crucial for your mornings so they are not running crazy in the mornings looking for their backpacks. A good spot is usually near their study area. You also want to have a box with school supplies that is available for home use. This helps keep them from wasting precious time looking for supplies when they could be working on their homework. Make sure to encourage that they keep their study area clean and organized. Avoid having toys or anything that will distract them from their homework in their study area.
*Accountability – Parents, don’t do your child’s homework! Encourage your child to complete his or her homework on their own and aide them as needed. Your children have beautiful minds so let them exercise and develop them by promoting that they think for themselves.
*Instructions for caregivers – If you are a parent that works after school hours it is very important to leave written or typed instructions for the caregiver that is tending to your children. This way you are still able to instill good habits and positively influence your children. Mommies, I would advise you to leave instructions with Daddy. They might joke saying that’s not necessary but secretly they will thank you for it. I know my husband does…lol.
*Catch up – Parents if you don’t have time to check your child’s school work during the week, take some time to do it over the weekend by reviewing the agenda/syllabus. Make it a point to know how your child is doing at school.
*Praise – When your child is done with their homework, acknowledge their good deed. It’s an incredible act of kindness on your part and it will leave a lasting impression on your child.
