Back to school presents many exciting steps and transitions.  It usually means earlier bedtimes, earlier waketimes, and hurried mornings where parents and children rush to prepare lunches and make it to the bus on time.  Establishing a morning routine for your child provides the confidence he or she needs to independently prepare for school so there is less mad rushing and more peace before going separate ways for the day.  Routines differ from schedules in that they have more flexibility.  They simply present an order and then expect to be completed as necessary.  Adding to your child’s routine each year is a part of their growth.

Prepare a list of your own expectations for your child’s morning routine.  Then talk about it.  Explain why you believe each step is necessary.  Then post it in your child’s bedroom or on the refrigerator or family message center for easy reference. Here is a list of possible items to include on your list.

• Decide time and method of wake up (by alarm?).
• Make bed.
• Put night clothes away.  Get dressed.
• Do chores (e.g. feed pets, put away laundry, etc.).
• Prepare/eat breakfast.
• Brush teeth.
• Comb hair.
• Prepare lunch (depending on the age).
• Finish homework.
• Prepare backpack (with necessary papers and lunch).
• Leave the house by ________ to make it to the bus/school on time.

What steps are a part of your child’s morning routine?  What steps will you be working with your child to improve on this year?