By Mary Hightower
U of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
What happens after school is as important as what happens during class time.
Routines are important to keep busy families stay organized, fed and rested while still getting essential activities done, said Brittney Schrick, extension family life specialist for the Division of Agriculture.
It’s important for parents or guardians to set clear expectations and allow time for everyone to get into a daily routine. It is a good idea to begin the back-to-school routines before school begins, Schrick said, adding that “a few days is usually sufficient, but some children may need longer adjustment time.”
Once the dismissal bell rings, “make sure your child knows the after-school plan and be sure to communicate that with their teachers and all other necessary people,” she said. “Most schools have strict policies about pick-up/end-of-day procedures.
“If your child typically walks home, but they are picked up when it is raining, the school needs to know,” Schrick said. “If you normally pick your child up, but grandma is doing the pickup on Fridays, the school and your child need to know that as well.”
Routine is also important once the sun goes down.
“Going back to school also means going back to bed at a set time every night,” Schrick said. “Establishing a routine is essential to ensuring a good night’s sleep for your child.
“The same process of getting ready for bed each night will help prepare the child’s body and mind for rest,” she said. “A child’s bedtime routine should be consistent, relaxing and free from distractions.”
Schrick also has a publication for parents to gauge their child’s readiness to be home alone. Home Alone Handbook: Is Your Child Ready? MP571.
Schrick has other suggestions, including information about screentime at her Family Life Fridays blog.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.
