Video:Tips for Setting a Back to School Nighttime Routine

Transcript:Tips for Setting a Back to School Nighttime Routine

Hi, I'm Katherine Lee for About.com and this is Sarah Welch from GetButtonedUp.com, and today she is here to talk to us about nighttime routines for back to school. 

Importance of Back to School Nighttime Routines

So routines really are the building blocks of organized living, and one of the greatest gifts that parents can give their children is to instill a few very simple but very effective organizational routines, and one of the most important is the nighttime routine.  It sets them up for a really productive day the following day.  When your children don't get enough sleep, they don't pay attention as well, and their ability to learn is somewhat compromised. So, it's a very important routine. 

Start the Back to School Nighttime Routine Early

So what are the essentials of a good nighttime routine?  Number one you have to make sure that you're starting the routine at a consistent time every night and that time allows enough time for the routine and for the child to get 11 hours of sleep.  Children in grades one through five need 11 hours of sleep every night. If you aren't good at getting to bed early and instilling a nighttime routine, set an alarm, and when that alarm rings, everybody drops everything and starts the nighttime routine. That's a great idea.  What else?

Plan Ahead for Back to School Nighttime Routines

Number two is packing up for the day ahead.  There's been homework, there's been activity, just take the step of putting all of the homework into your backpack and shoes, and putting that in one spot right by the door. And, number three is -- look at the day ahead.  If you have soccer practice the next day, make sure that your soccer gear is packed along with the rest of your backpack, either in your backpack or the one right next to it.  And again in that consistent spot right by the door so that in the morning after you've had your breakfast and you're ready to head out the door, you're not "Agh! What am I forgetting?" and running around and missing the bus.

Additional Tips for Back to School Morning Routines

Great tip.  What else? Then it's really the basics: getting into your pajamas, brushing your teeth, and then reading some stories before hitting the hay, and making sure that lights are out – again, with adequate time to get that full 11 hours worth of sleep. And I think kids really benefit from and really appreciate that routine. They crave routine – it really is very important for happy childhoods. And, to instill a nighttime routine, use reward charts, keep track of the progress they're making, celebrate those wins.  If they've had five days in a row of packing their stuff and getting it right by the door, celebrate it with a special activity.  Kids really cement those routines in when there is positive reinforcement. 

That's a great idea. Thank you so much for these wonderful nighttime routine tips.  For more, go to About.com.