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The long summer days are beginning to get shorter and shorter as the sun starts setting earlier and earlier. I'm always torn during this time of year because I really LOVE summer and want to enjoy every last drop of it but by late August I'm ready for a seasonal change.
Maybe I'm just burned out on BBQ (everything) and can't wait to pull out the crockpot and whip up a big batch of chili.
The end of summer also signifies the start of many new beginnings, one being school. For us as homeschoolers I have always given my kids the summer "off" which means we don't follow a traditional school year schedule during the summer.
So what are some of the best ways to get your school age child back on a schedule? Whether they are homeschooled or go to a public/private school these 5 tips will help you as a parent get your child back on a schedule that works for both child and parent!
5 Tips To Get Your Child Back On A School Schedule
1. Recognize That it is a Process:
Don't wait for the last minute to change your child's schedule instead plan ahead and work into the new schedule slowly.
Starting our homeschool schedule each year takes a little easing into since the kids have adjusted to a relaxed summer schedule and now have to shift into our school schedule. For us the adjustment to a new schedule is done as a gradual pace to allow the kids time to adjust to the change.
During the summer my kids go to bed much later than they would during the school year (even the 5 year old!) and so they sleep in a little later in the morning. Pretty typical right! So how do we gradually adjust our schedule to get back into the groove of the school year schedule?
First we start implementing an actual bedtime that gradually gets bumped back earlier and earlier for our youngest two kids. The older two don't have a set bedtime but I do require them to be ready for bed and in their rooms doing something quiet like reading or listening to music. The waning hours of daylight helps me accomplish the earlier bedtime for the younger ones!
Next, I start waking the kids up in the morning at the same time during the week. This helps their internal clock get used to a new rhythm.
As the saying goes "practice makes perfect", so putting into practice a new routine in advance of when it needs to start happening should help reduce headaches when the rubber hits the road!
2. Talk About School And Your Expectations
My youngest, if not warned in advance to any upcoming change will freak out if I don't prepare him in advance to the changes. Do you have a child like that? He needs time to process the upcoming change so he is prepared when it happens. How much time does your child need? Well that can vary from child to child but for all kids just having the conversation several days or a week before a shift or change happens can relieve a lot of stress.
I start talking about the different subjects or classes they will be taking this upcoming year as a way to get them thinking about school. If I'm excited about what they will be learning I've found that this excitement rubs off onto them too.
While we are talking about what they will be learning about this upcoming year I like to get their input regarding the time of day they think it would be best to learn each subject. For example, my two middle children like to tackle their tougher subjects mid morning so I know that starting with math is a bad plan but it is doable a little later in the morning after they finish their daily Bible study.
3. No Electronics Before Bedtime
Even though we homeschool my kids are just like every other kid and they love playing on electronic devices like tablets, ipad, phone and watching TV. In moderation, these devices are perfectly fine to use however we have implemented some guidelines regarding the use of them in the evening especially before bedtime.
Studies show that your body and your child's body respond to electronic stimulation in a way that can inhibit your body's ability to fall asleep. For example, the physical response to a video game your child is playing whether it is Mario Kart or Roblox, is to tense up. The "tensed up" feeling triggers the body to go into the "fight or flight" response resulting in the release of cortisol, a stress hormone produced in the adrenal gland. Trying to get your child to go to sleep after a healthy dose of cortisol has been sent pumping through their body won't work.
Letting your child "chill out" with the tablet before bed to Pinterest or check their Instagram account sounds harmless enough but did you know that the glow from the electronic device can rob your child from a good night's sleep? That little glowing light from electronics passes through the retina in your eye into the area of the brain that controls sleep activities (hypothalamus) and can delay the release of melatonin. Melatonin is a sleep inducing hormone.
So cutting off electronic time at least 30 minutes prior to bedtime should help your child get to sleep better and help them adjust to a new schedule.
4. Create a Family Calendar & Planner
Are you a visual learner? I am which means I need to "see" what is going on in order to get it to sink into my brain and make sense. Creating a family calendar is a great way to help your child adjust to the upcoming school schedule. I like to write the times as well as the activity on the calendar in chronological order so I (and my child) can get a good idea of what to expect during a specific day.
Not only will a family planner and calendar help you stay organized as the number of activities is sure to increase but the communication between everyone in the family is sure to benefit from this tool as well!
Looking for the perfect tool to create a family planner? I found the perfect solution to your needs -
The Printable School Planner by Sunny Day Family!!
Totally customizable and it includes a 25 page printable where you will find:
- Front and Back Covers including a space for your name and information.
- School Information Sheet - important contact information, addresses, and classroom information on one easy to find page.
- Lunch Ideas Planner - a place to list out all your kids' favorite lunch items and snacks, so that you're not struggling to come up with new ideas every week.
- Weekly Lunch Planner - a sheet to plan lunches for the entire week so you can make things ahead of time and reduce morning stress (this page can also be laminated and hung in the kitchen as a reusable dry erase board).
- Before & After School Checklists - a place to help you and the kids to stay on track with the morning routine, any morning chores, and a list of items to remember before heading out the door. The after school checklist helps track homework, any afternoon chores, along with other daily to dos.
5. Stay Positive
Being excited about something, especially when it involves big changes, can be contagious. Positive attitudes from parents towards the upcoming schedule changes helps transition your child from their relaxed summer routine to the new more structured school schedule.
Get your child excited with some new school tools! Remember when you were in elementary school and couldn't wait to bust open that new Trapper Keeper notebook the first day of school? Yeah, those were the good ole days! Kids love using their new supplies and can't wait to do so! Harness this excitement and stay positive about the transition from summer to school.
Need help finding awesome back to school supplies - don't forget to check out the Dollar Tree! They have a great stock of school supplies that won't break the bank! Read my post
here about the
The Top Ten Back To School Supplies From The Dollar Tree.
Remember all kids adapt differently to change so please have patience during the transition period knowing that things will improve as the days go by!
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