This article is part of the following topics:   Back to School Building Responsibility & Independence Elementary School High School Middle School

Routines and Schedules Start the Year Right

The start of a new school year is exciting. But it means kids and parents will need to make some adjustments.

Here are some ways to get your family back into a good routine for the school year:

• Set the rules. Make sure your kids know what you expect now that they are back in school. Set a specific time to do homework. Enforce rules for TV watching. Set aside some time each day for reading. Create a chart for the first few weeks of school—until your routines become habits. Give your child a gold star on days when he does everything without being asked.
• Manage correspondence. The start of the school year means a lot of paper going between home and school. Set up a place where your child puts all the paperwork from school. Sign it and put it back in his book bag by the next day.
• Keep track of schedules. Post a calendar where everyone will see it. Then have everyone write down their activities as they are scheduled. This will help you plan ahead. If your child knows a book report is due the day after a soccer game, he’ll see that he needs to finish it early.

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Sibbyo asks…
Q: How do I get my 11 year old to talk to me? - Ever since my daughter started Middle School she will not tell me anything about school! When I ask her how she did on tests or how it’s going with friends all I get is one word answers. Any suggestions?

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