kiddi
The kids have gone back to school and so the morning struggle to get out of the door on time has once again begun. So I have drawn on what worked in his kindergarten years as well as advice given to me by other parents to bring you 5 tips for getting ready on time for school.
- Have a routine:
It’s important to not only have a routine but to make sure that everyone in the family knows and understands it. Don’t wait until the first day of school to start your routine, introduce and practice it at least a week before school starts. Write down everything that needs to be done each morning, who is responsible and the order in which it needs to happen. Try creating your own routine chart, which includes picture prompts for kids (they may even like to draw the pictures themselves), and stick it to the fridge. Your child can them work through the routine each morning. You might also like to reward them with stickers or ticks for each step that is completed.
Your nighttime routine is just as important. Make sure your children are going to bed at a reasonable time so that they are getting enough sleep and waking up refreshed in the morning.
- Prepare the night before:
The best way to get out the door in time in the morning is to prepare as much as you can the night before. Pack lunchboxes and school bags, have showers/baths and lay out clothes all before going to bed each night. This will all save you so much time in the morning.
- Encourage independence:
While it might take longer to start with, encouraging your children to do things for themselves will save time in the long run. This is especially important for working parents that also need to get themselves ready and organised in the morning! By the time they start school your child should be capable of dressing themselves with minimal assistance. You can try encouraging them to make their own breakfast by providing simple, easy to make choices such as cereal, fresh fruit and yoghurt. They should also be responsible for putting their lunchboxes and any other items required in their bag ready for school.
- Go screen free:
What kid doesn’t tune out when they’re watching TV or playing on their iPad? You can simply make the rule that there is to be no screens in the morning or at least not until everybody is ready to go and if there is time left (an extra motivation for your kids to get ready as quickly as they can).
- Everything has a place:
Save time hunting around for things in the morning by making sure everything has a place. Invest in some hooks for car keys and school bags, place a basket or shoe rack near the front door for shoes and use baskets in the bathroom to keep all the morning essentials such as toothbrushes, toothpaste and a hairbrush. Keep reminding your child to put things away where they belong until eventually, it will just become a habit.
So, those are my tips but I’d also really love to hear yours. Do you have any other tips for parents trying to get out of the door and to school on time?
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