After a long draining day at school, the last thing on any child's mind is their after-school responsibilities. Between homework, chores, sports practice, family time, and so much more, how can we expect our kids to prioritize their time without a good old-fashioned routine?
Similar to any type of routine, an after-school routine is geared towards creating a familiar and expected pattern of events for both children and their families. Implementing a routine can help eliminate the wasted time and procrastination often found with children after a day at school. A well-planned routine can also create a sense of normalcy in a world full of unknowns, which can help children feel safe and secure.
If parents set the expectations that their child is to do their homework directly after getting off the bus, the likelihood of a successful homework session is much higher. When we create structure and clear expectations for children, there is a greater chance of overall success and completion of tasks.
An after-school routine can vary depending on how your family structure operates, as well as the individual needs of your child. However, here is a sample after-school routine to get you and your family started!
Snack time: Everyone needs a snack after a long day at school. Make sure to make time for snacks. The healthier the better!
Talk time: Give your kids 5-10 minutes to tell you about their day. You would be amazed at the stories kids have from the day. This is great to do during and right after snack time. If you find that it is hard to transition into homework time because your child wants to keep talking, try setting a timer. Once the timer goes off, talk time is over—period.
Homework: Based on your kid’s age and grade, this chunk of time may look different--but set the expectation that the third thing that must be done after school is homework!
Chores: Kids need responsibility. Give them some chores! Whether it be cleaning up the playroom, emptying/loading the dishwasher, or taking out the trash, it is great for kids to have some small responsibilities around the house.
Free time: Kids NEED time to be bored, this is where they learn to be creative. Plus, there is no need as parents to fill every moment of a child's day. Repeat after me: It’s. Okay. For. Your. Kids. To. Be. Bored. If possible, try keeping screen time to a minimum during this time.
Dinner: Dinner time should generally take place around the same time every night. This helps with making bath and bedtime go more smoothly. Having your child help you prepare dinner can also be a great way to bond and hear more about their day and how they’re doing. A family dinner is always preferable too!
Bath/Shower time: Kids can sometimes be very resistant to bath or shower time. Having it as a set routine right after dinner every night makes the fight much easier.
We know that having this strict of a routine is not always possible every day and with every kid, but having a semblance of this schedule can make your life as a parent much easier. Even if you have to grab food on the way home from soccer practice, still make it a point to do bath time right after you eat. You may have to fit baseball practice in before or after homework, or have free time be after dinner. Either way, a structured routine allows children to know what to expect and leads to less arguments. Happy scheduling!
Written by Olivia Sammak