Wouldn’t it be great if our kids fell into an after school routine all on their own? Unfortunately, it takes some work to get our kids on a schedule that makes perfect sense for them. I wanted to share some of my best tips for helping your children have an easier evening after they have spent all day at school.
Playtime
Don’t forget how important playtime is for your child afterschool. This is especially true for the lower elementary grades such as kindergarten and first grade. They spend all day at school and some time to unwind and play is important.
Snack
I know my kids love having a snack ready for them after they get home from school. They always ask anyways, so it’s just a nice gesture to have it out and ready for them. I also feel as this helps settle them into a routine for the day.
Homework
We do our homework at the same time every day. We typically complete the homework routine after dinner is completed. I think it’s important to give my children a break from academics before making them work on something else. Of course, you have to choose what works for you!
Keep it Simple
I’ve noticed that keeping my kid’s schedule simple is the way to go. If we need to do something I try to schedule it on a weekend when there’s not a lot going on. Busy weeknights for kids can be really tough, so it’s important to give them that predictability of being home and staying on schedule when possible.
Staying Calm
It’s important for me to stay calm for the sake of my kids when they are home after school and even before school. They need that security of knowing they have a safe and inviting place to come when they get home from school. Of course, we have our evenings full of chaos, but my favorite evenings are the ones that are chaos free.
How do you implement a positive after school environment for your kids?