It seems like there are still many days until school starts again, but remember that children need a period of adaptation to the routines they will be facing. Therefore, the sooner you start making small changes, the much smoother and easier the process will be. If adults find it hard to get back to routine after the holidays, imagine what it means for our children, who are not yet able to understand, rationalize, or express everything these changes imply. They have already gotten used to spending many hours with mom, dad, or grandparents, they have become the kings of summer nights, their diet has relaxed and includes more sweets and ice cream than usual, they don't have as many fixed chores... It's clear that incorporating all routines at once will not be easy at all. That's why we propose a series of tips for you to gradually apply from now until the school year begins and normalcy is achieved. Take note!:
- Bedtime is one of parents' headaches in summer. However, you can start moving bedtime forward by about 10 minutes each day. This way, when school starts, the change won't be so radical. If necessary, you can shorten nap time a little, which will make it easier to get them to bed. Likewise, you should also move forward their wake-up time, set the alarm 10 minutes earlier each day so that the change is also progressive.
- Remind your child of the most fun times they had at school: their friends, activities, winter festivals, their teachers' names, crafts they are proud of... little by little they will be more motivated.
- Going to buy school supplies or uniforms together can be a great moment. It will help the child become aware and at the same time they will be excited to use new things.
- As much as possible, it would be ideal for you to start a routine activity that you can do now and maintain throughout the school year. Going out in the afternoons to play soccer, going to the park, riding bikes on Wednesdays, going to grandparents' house on Fridays... This is, a routine outside of school with something they like and motivates them.
- Incorporate memory and concept reinforcement tasks into their daily life. Adapt the content and duration to their age but dedicate a few minutes to remembering the content they saw last year. They will start more confidently and will have acquired work routines.
And you, have you already started incorporating new routines into your daily life? Tell us what your tricks are to do it
