Page 12 - Baby Society Magazine Issue 30

Home Routines
that set up good structures to support organization
Written by: Shelley Kress Award-Winning Las Vegas Teacher
After-school routines are incredibly helpful and beneficial! The start of the school year is a great opportunity to freshen up home routines that will support the structures at school, and help with organization at home.
Here are a few helpful hints!
CHECK BACKPACKS
In the primary grades, families should be checking backpacks each day, and looking through folders for important information, lessons to complete, or school communication. For the intermediate and older students, build a system at home for paperwork. For example, a filing system, specific basket, or area at home.
RETURN PAPERWORK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
When schools or teachers request paperwork to be completed or signed, take care of it and return it as soon as possible. Not only does it help the school and teacher, it removes the possibility of the paperwork being misplaced or lost!
CHECK AGENDAS, TEACHER NEWSLETTERS, OR SCHOOL CALENDARS, AND USE THESE TO ADD IMPORTANT DATES TO THE FAMILY CALENDAR
These dates might correlate with when report cards are sent home, a school event or field trip, or when a project is due! Combining dates into one calendar is valuable for helping to prepare your students for responsibilities and events.
PREP SNACKS AND LUNCHES FOR THE NEXT DAY
Preparing these ahead of time reduces the stress, chaos, and rush of the morning. Encourage older students to think ahead and pack what they can in the afternoon - and offer reminders in the morning to complete the task. Primary-aged students can also be helpful by emptying their lunch boxes from the previous lunch, choosing their snacks, and putting them into the lunch box.
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