TUCSON, Ariz. — Alarms will be set later and the classic phrase “you’re going to be late for school!” probably won’t be uttered as much this year, but that doesn’t mean families should lose structure on school mornings.
Keep up the routine!
"If you're if you would normally drop your kid off at nine o'clock, and you would wake them up at 730 to start prepping start waking up at a normal routine. Routines are super important,” says, Gallego Intermediate Librarian, Jessica Ross.
Limit Distractions!
Next up, create some space for your little one so toys, video games and other distractions aren’t at the forefront.
"When you have a separate learning space, it has that compartmentalization that you're not at home, relaxed hanging out, you are now at school or you're at work, so they can separate the two,” says Ross. "And then when they leave that learning space at home, then they're back in at home mode."
Create Physical Space!
Chances are, you don’t have a bunch of extra bedrooms just sitting empty, so how do you make the most out of the space you have?
"One of the things I saw one of my students do is you know those three-sided science boards, just to help with distractions,” says Ross. "They set up the Science Board in front of them. And on one side, it was their schedule on in one section, they put like little to do. Things on how to access their Google meet classrooms and all the codes, how to turn in assignments and verify that they have it so it's almost a little organization, just like a mini-office."
Materials at the ready!
It’s not just about the physical space. Make sure the pencils, books and anything else essential for the school day are within arms-reach.
"The materials they need are nearby. So they're not looking all over the house or bad or older backpacks or things for them so supplies are there at the ready,” says Ross.
HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE!
Ross says to keep a water bottle next to the kiddos all day long.
It’s a whole new ballgame for many of us. And as parents become much more involved in their child’s academic career, it’s a good time to make sure they’re set up for as much success as possible.
