As summer comes to an end, parents begin to prepare their children to go back to school. One of the most stressful times of the day for any parent is the morning before school. However, there are certain things each parent can do to ensure getting their children out the door without feeling flustered and unfocused that will set them up for success throughout the school day and year! Read our three tips about how to make mornings easier.
1. Have your child prepare for the next day the night before. This can include showering the night before school so there the bathroom situation is not stressful during getting ready time. Additionally, have your child pick and lay out a school outfit the night before to eliminate a couple more minutes in the morning.
2. Make sure your child has packed their backpack. Nothing says chaos like being a few minutes behind schedule and your child does not know where he or she put her social studies book. Teaching your child to organize in advance teaches them life-long organizing skills. Once your child gets in the habit of doing simple preplanning, they will be set for success without the morning havoc.
3.Make sure your child is eating a healthy breakfast every morning. Everyone has heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. This is particularly true for developing brains! The brain needs nutrients to function properly, especially after fasting overnight while your child sleeps. If your child’s brain isn’t functioning at it’s highest level, your child will not be able to learn at their highest ability. Additionally, high sugar breakfast foods, such as box cereals or even toast and jam, can cause an energy crash later in the day and can affect focus tremendously. Focus on high-fiber and protein-filled foods so your child has sustainable energy all day long. This will particularly help kids with learning disabilities like ADHD.
4. Place daily reminders on sticky notes on the front door. Doing this not only helps your child remember to bring all of the supplies necessary for their school day, including their homework. It also helps your child learn to take a moment, take a breath, and reflect on what they need for the day. Leaving the house in a rush can make anyone feel less focused, which will not positively impact learning once your child is in the classroom. Do your best to have your child leave the house with a clear head and all of their belongings.
First image courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Second image courtesy of pazham at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
