Tips For Organizing a Back-to-School Routine

Here are some tips for organizing a back-to-school routine. Kids feel more equipped to succeed in school when they understand their homework. If they don't do their homework effectively, they risk getting further behind in their studies.

*Communication. Help your child get into the habit of bringing the student planner back and forth to school every day. If the school or teacher requires a parental signature, take two minutes to sign the planner for the day. Be sure to read teacher comments. If you know your child struggled with homework, you can also make your own comment.

*Space. Establish a routine, for example, that you or your spouse cooks dinner while the other parent helps the kids with homework. Be sure to turn off the stereo, TV, and video games during study time. Dedicate a children's desk or table in your home where your child can study quietly. Guidecraft and Alex Toys make some really neat wooden desks for young children.

*Checklist. Teach your child to use a list of assignments as a checklist. If your child tends to get stuck on one assignment, perhaps in the same subject every evening, you can assist by assigning time limits for working on each assignment. As your child goes through the list, he can check off completed assignments. If one assignment requires in-depth assistance, devote time to tackling that assignment after dinner.

*Rewards. Give small rewards to your child for meeting his or her study obligations, such as completing all homework assignments. For example, you can reserve time for playing video games, watching TV, and using the computer for when homework time is over.

*Sleep. Based on each child's age and school schedule, choose a regular time for lights out. This time should give each child enough sleep so she wakes up and goes to school feeling well-rested and alert in class. If she takes a long time to fall asleep, move the bedtime up by thirty minutes. If your child can tell time, you can also teach her to use an alarm clock to wake up in the morning.

*Intervention. If you are involved in the homework routine, you might be able to discover if your child begins to struggle in an academic subject. Don't assume your child knows how to ask for help from the teacher. If you discover a problem, schedule a conference with the teacher. Decide if it is appropriate to bring your child to the meeting. At the meeting, establish a regular way to communicate with the teacher, such as using a two-way journal, an email, or a phone call. Ignoring the signs that a child struggles in school permits the problem to get worse. Intervention is the key to finding ways to relieve a child's frustration with school and/or homework time.

Congratulations on your decision to facilitate a back-to-school routine for your kids! If you don't assume this important role, they will not receive the best educational experience. By setting up a routine and encouraging good study habits, your kids are prepared for success. If problems occur, you are prepared to take action.

Bonnie L. owns and operates the company "A Kid Place" which specializes in Children's Wooden Furniture and Educational Toys. Feel free to visit at http://www.akidplace.com to view all this great company has to offer.

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