Establish a School-Home Learning Environment

After 8 years of having a child in school, I know a thing or two about children and school. I am no longer shocked by backpacks that will not zip due to stacks of paper, agenda books that have nothing written in them, or pencil cases filled with everything except a pencil. I take it in stride. Simply put, it takes work to create a successful school-home learning environment. But, once established it will be worth it.

Children and parents must work together to create a successful school-home learning environment. It is the rare child who does homework, reading, and special projects without any prompting. I have one such child. My other two children are not so much interested in homework.

The following tips apply to the “enthusiastic about homework” child as well as the “fights homework” child.

Establish a bedtime routine for each child

• If a child routinely goes to bed too late, that child will not be able to function in school. A late bedtime means that the child will not be ready for school the next day.
• In our house, my kids know that I will give them the “five-minute warning” before bedtime, which leads to showers or baths, teethbrushing, changing in to pajamas, bathroom break for little ones, storytime for little ones, and alone reading time for older kids. Our routine does not change on Sunday night through Thursday night. We are consistently consistent with our bedtime routine.

Prepare Supplies for School

• Backpacks are packed the night before. Musical instruments, P.E. uniforms, and other items needed for school are placed next to backpacks.
• Lunchboxes are packed each morning.

Healthy Food Leads to Healthy Body and Mind

• Have your child eat a nutritious breakfast: bagel or toast, cereal  or oatmeal, fruit, orange juice, milk. We do occasionally eat Pop Tarts, but only on days when we are running extremely late.
• Pack a healthy lunch: sandwich or bagel, yogurt, fruit, juice, cookies, chips. Avoid sending in a can of soda. I send a piece of candy as a treat rather than a candy bar.
• Buy lunch at school. About once a week I let my children purchase the school lunch. One of my children likes to buy milk at school. I post the school lunch menu on the fridge.

Do Homework as Assigned

• Don’t skip a night of homework even if child is in Kindergarten. Establishing homework patterns from Kindergarten onwards will make kids see that homework is what happens after school.
• Supervise homework time. If child needs a snack/break, give it. Once snack has been consumed, resume homework. Test children on spelling words. Review math worksheets. Show them that you care.
• Set up a homework area…well-lit, plenty of space, dictionary, calculator, supplies, and sharpened pencils.
• If children distract each other, find a separate location for each child. My oldest works in her room or in the family room on a laptop while my younger two work in the dining room.

Establish a Home-School Connection

• Take your child to new parent-student orientation to meet his child’s teacher.
• Go to Back-to-School night to find out about the requirements and schedule for the school year.
• Schedule and attend Parent Teacher Conferences for your children.
• Join the PTA at your child’s school.
• Make sure you have a phone number and current e-mail address for each teacher.
• If you have a problem or a question for a teacher, make a call to school or send an e-mail. Chances are good that the teacher will have the answer or be able to direct you to the person who does know the answer to your question.

When not supervising her children’s homework time, she blogs at www.writingmylifeoneblogatatime.blogspot.com.

Related posts:

1. Morning Routines for Elementary School Children
2. When Should Your Child Stay Home from School
3. Preteens and a Day Off School
4. How To Be a Successful Elementary School Classroom Volunteer
5. When to Keep Kids Home from School