Whether your kiddo is bouncing off the walls when they get home from school, or exhausted and not willing to share details about their day, a simple after-school routine can help make evenings (slightly) less chaotic.
Routines are important for all kids, especially school-agers. They have such structure at school: they follow directions, pay attention and respond to a number of demands, including dealing with social pressures. When they come home, if there isn't at least some structure, they can fall apart from too much freedom. Some might benefit from or only need a loose routine, while others need tasks carefully scheduled and monitored. And, what works this week might not work in a month; flexibility is key.
No matter what routine you create, talk about it with your child. Share clear expectations, write it down, and be consistent (easier said than done some days, just do your best).
Here are some things to consider as part of your child's after-school routine:
- Unpack their backpack and lunch box and put things away (all ages)
- Eat a snack (all ages)
- Change clothes (all ages)
- Do their homework (all ages)
- Have quiet time in their bedroom or a private space (Kindergarten-middle school)
- Read a book or together or independently for 20 minutes (all ages)
- Do household chores (middle-high schoolers)
- Attend any required after-school activities or practices
- Free play:
- Jump on a trampoline (all ages)
- Ride a bike or scooter for 15 minutes (all ages)
- Play in a sensory bin (Kindergarten-middle school)
- Limited screen time (all ages)
- Have a dance party to their favorite playlist (all ages)
- Share a "high" and a "low" from their day (all ages)
- Ask an open-ended question like, "What was one thing that made you laugh today?" or "What is one thing in particular that frustrated you today?" (all ages)
- Help with dinner prep or put dishes away (middle- high schoolers)
