Tips for Establishing an After-School Routine

For the sake of household harmony as well as for your own sanity, creating and developing an after-school routine is a must. According to Thomas J. Butcher, M.A., B.C.P.C., C.S.C., C.H., Licensed Professional Counselor, routine is also crucial to your child’s well-being.

He points out that your child needs structure and order in his world. You provide these with regular daily routines the child can depend upon. “I like to think in terms of mini-structures,” Butcher says. “Morning routine, after-school routine, dinner as a family, bedtime routine, and so forth.” The counselor believes that kids flourish with a steady diet of structured routine.

Sometimes it seems there’s too much that has to be done before bedtime. By approaching the issue thoughtfully, you can design an after-school routine that works for your entire family. Be prepared to soften the firm edge of your routine with flexibility because occasionally you’ll have to tweak your plans. Stuff happens – when the unexpected pops up, you’ll need to drop back a few yards and punt.

Kids are typically famished when they get home for the day, so offer everyone a light, healthy snack as soon as they hit the door. Give them a half hour to finish their grub and change their clothes as you catch your breath, gather your thoughts and launch your after-school routine.


Homework Rules

Homework is a fact of life for most kids. Some do homework at after-care or on the ride home from school. Others work on it during “free” periods in school. If homework remains undone upon your child’s arrival home, have him do it as soon as he can, while the day’s lessons are still fresh.

Of all the routines a family accomplishes after school, Butcher believes that homework must be Priority One whenever possible, and that rewards and incentives are crucial to homework success. The counselor advises that the best way to motivate your child to do his homework is to do it with him, as a family. “Same with chores – no one likes to work alone.” He recommends that you designate the kitchen table as the homework center. “And have music, food and play a game after. Allow honor roll students to opt out, but no one will – it’s fun,” encourages Butcher. “When homework is done and games are finished, have dinner, then clean the kitchen together.”

Family-style homework may not be practical in your household. In that case, a special spot created specifically for doing homework may be appealing enough to motivate youngsters to settle into their own comfy, customized area to complete their assignments. The location depends mostly upon your child’s approach to learning. Some kids concentrate best in a quiet environment such as a bedroom, den, basement or any other spot that can free them from noise and distractions with a closed door. Other children perform well in the midst of everyday happenings. In addition to the kitchen table, the family room or a bedroom with the radio turned on low might work well for these kids.

Soliciting your child’s input into the creation of his study space is a powerful incentive for motivating him to do his homework. Get his ideas about the location and suggestions about making it fun as well as appealing and functional. Foster a positive mindset by letting him choose some pictures or posters for the walls. Suggest some photographs of peaceful landscapes or of his hero or favorite performers. Encourage him to organize his space with pens, pencils and other materials right there on hand. Let him hang a bulletin board for pinning up notes, messages and papers he considers to be important. If space permits, allow him to stock the area with his choice of healthy snacks and drinks.

Regardless of your child’s learning style, electronic distractions such as televisions and phones should be inaccessible during homework time. The only exception should be permitting a short phone call if your child needs to contact someone about his assignment.


Scheduling Activities

Butcher acknowledges that in addition to homework, other segments of time allotted for chores and outside activities should be worked into the after-school routine. “Dinner as a family and other routines around that are equally important.”

Sit down with your family and have everyone make a list detailing the after school activities they wish to participate in, including sports and other extra-curricular and church functions. When lists are complete, designate a different color for each person and have them add their activities to a family calendar.

Don’t forget to figure in travel times to and from practices, games, rehearsals, recitals and any other events associated with activities. Then of course you’ll need to add in blocks of time for homework, playtime, baths, chores and mealtime.

This calendar is a good indicator of how busy your family will be. Once you see the whole picture, you may decide to drop some outside activities if there’s too much on your plate. Hold a family meeting monthly to evaluate how things are working out for everyone and make adjustments as needed.


Winding Down Time

Butcher believes that a little winding down ritual at bedtime just prior to lights out is essential. “Bedtime routines should always involve reading. It helps build strong readers and lowers brain waves to induce sleep.” Turn off anything with a screen to help your child focus on relaxing. Smaller children enjoy nice, comforting storybooks. Some youngsters respond well to soft music. A warm, relaxing bath might be the ticket for others. Share lots of hugs and kisses, and make sure to split the time so that both adults in two-parent families get to enjoy the cuddles.



A full-time freelance writer since 2007, Turner is a 2013 Demand Media Studios Outstanding Contributor Award recipient. She publishes online articles with major focus on parenting, pets, wildlife, gardening, juvenile science experiments and fitness. She also covers cooking and alternative home remedies.