Wake up!

Emily here!  Picture this- It is a Monday morning and no one (kids and grown-ups alike) wants to get out of bed. So the snooze button keeps getting pushed until the very last second and then everybody is scrambling to get up and out the door to get to work and school on time.  Does this scenario sound familiar? If you could make some small changes to ease the morning tension and bustle would you? If so, read on!
 
A couple of weeks ago I shared with you 5 goals I set for myself (If you didn’t read it go ahead and click here then come right back) and one of them was to establish a morning routine that prepares me mentally, physically, and emotionally for the day AND gets me to work on time!  For me this starts the night before when I set out clothes and pack my lunch for the following day. This gives me time to press the snooze button once (feels so luxurious), have a quiet cup of coffee while I read or watch the news, and take a short walk with my dog Prescott.

For me, a smooth, easy start to the day sets me up for success.  I am more productive, pleasant, and healthy. The same goes for our children and students.  It is important for them to arrive to school on time and not feeling rushed. Arrive at school in time for that first bell is super important for many reasons:

1. Being on time reduces stress for students and parents
2. Students learn organizational skills by fully following the morning routine of the classroom
3. There is no missed learning time
4. Students have time to interact socially

If your child is struggling to get up and out to school on time the first step is to identify why.  Is is an issue with organization and following a routine?  Are there social or academic issues at school?  Is your child feeling nervous about some aspect of the school day or the school environment?  Once you figure out the root of the challenge you will then be able to address it appropriately.  Here are a couple tips and resources to help you out.

If your child is struggling with organization and following a morning routine there are several things that you can do in order to reduce the morning chaos.  One small change that can have a big impact is to have your independent dressers put on their clothes before setting foot outside of the bedroom. That way there's no backtracking! Then have them go straight to the bathroom to brush their teeth and within 5-10 minutes of waking up, you could have those two chores off the list!  Check out these 3 resources for some more great ideas:

1. https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/understanding-childs-challenges/simple-changes-at-home/8-ways-to-make-mornings-easier#slide-9
2. https://afineparent.com/lighten-up/morning-routine-for-kids.html
3. https://www.nbcnews.com/better/pop-culture/12-tips-master-your-kids-morning-routine-eliminate-stress-ncna903106

If your child is nervous or anxious about going to school have a brief little chat in the morning that highlights the positives of the school day.  Ask about a class or subject he or she particularly enjoys such as- “What game do you think you will play in gym today?” or “What will you be learning in social studies?”.  Focusing on the positives can go a long way! Here are some additional resources:

1. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shyness-is-nice/201309/what-do-when-your-child-wont-go-school
2. https://childmind.org/article/when-kids-refuse-to-go-to-school/
3. https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/understanding-childs-challenges/talking-with-your-child/what-to-say-when-kids-with-learning-and-attention-issues-dont-want-to-go-to-school

If the root cause seems to be academic or social challenges a meeting with your child’s teacher is likely the most beneficial first step.  Work together to create a plan that will positively address any challenges you identify together.  This might include some assessments of your child’s academic skills followed by some extra support in or outside of school.  To learn more about these types of challenges check out these links:

1. https://teach4theheart.com/parents-what-to-do-when-your-kids-struggling-academically/
2. https://www.kidspot.com.au/school/primary/learning-and-behaviour/tips-for-parents-with-kids-struggling-at-school/news-story/2f1ce85b1b91d7ad2036fed489067d58
3. http://www.readingrockets.org/article/taking-closer-look-my-childs-academic-success

It is my hope that these resources are of help to you!  As always, the tutors at Hyperion and Language Learning Services are here to assist as well!  Give us a call today.