As educators we see the children scramble through our doors who have gotten up late, had a temper tantrum over shoes or a favorite shirt that was dirty, didn’t eat any breakfast and so on. When routines are rocky or unclear, we become stressed both physically and mentally. This increases cortisol in our body which shuts down oxygen to the brain and reduces our ability to reason clearly. Many kids are already worn out before they leave the house.
As adults we have the power to look at the environment and change a variable that
may be causing our household batteries to be drained in the morning. Start by
asking yourself:
How long does it take to complete necessary tasks and have we allotted enough time?
What systems do we have in place for breakfast, packing lunches, or prepping dinners?
What systems are in place for basic morning hygiene, getting dressed, etc.?
Where do children find backpacks, homework, sports gear, instruments, etc.?
Start by making a plan the night before: lay out clothes, pre-bag items for lunch, place homework in backpacks. For the mornings, set a simple routine for your child; they do better with easy-to-follow steps that are sketched as pictures or written as a short checklist. A solid morning routine sets children up to enter school clear-minded and ready to learn, which is exactly what both parents and educators want for kids.
Brought to you by:
Anna Marie Gosser
Santiam Christian Elementary Principal
541-745-5524 x 243
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