The lazy days of summer end with the start of the school year and it’s a challenge to get the kids back into the routine of the school year? The Institute for Child Development has some great tips to help ease the back-to-school routine.

First, determine the appropriate bedtime for your child by counting down from the start time to arriving at school in the morning to allow for necessary sleep. Experts agree that children need 9-10 hours of sleep per night, including a minimum of 8 hours. Sleep allows children’s bodies to heal, grow, have enough energy for the next day’s activities, and prevent growling. It makes everyone’s day better.

Then count back from bedtime to schedule time for dinner, homework, personal grooming such as bathing and brushing your teeth, getting clothes for the morning, and packing the backpack. . You now have your approximate times for your evening and wake-up routines.

Routines are wonderful tools. Some people have a knack for establishing and maintaining routines, and others find it difficult, but children, despite their protests, thrive in the routine. Routines reduce anxiety, make time management easier, and allow for increased independence.

Children respond positively to routines, so the sooner parents start, the better. By choosing clothes and shoes the night before and packing the backpack with everything you need in the morning, time spent looking for missing items or discussing clothing choices will be eliminated.

To make bedtime easier for everyone, parents can give children a few minutes one-on-one to read a story and / or discuss what to expect the next day at school. This allows children to calm down and relax before turning off the lights. In addition, it strengthens family ties.

Didn’t you start the routine early? It’s okay, start where you are and soon your evenings and mornings during the school year will be more relaxed and peaceful for everyone!

For more information, visit the Co-operative Extension Service website at https://www.uaex.uada.edu/parenting, contact the Arkansas County Co-operative Extension Service at (870) 659 -2058 or email [email protected]

Please take precautions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by practicing good personal hygiene, wearing a face mask, and respecting social distancing. For more information on COVID-19 issues, visit our website at: https://www.uaex.uada.edu/covid-19.