Morning Routines

This image is a Bitmoji of Ms. Benson smiling with a sun, with the words "good morning".

Rise and (hopefully) Shine

Ah, mornings. So full of hope and possibilities. And sometimes full of yawning, misplaced school supplies, and the countdown to go-time. Here are some resources and tips for fine-tuning your child's morning routine.

5 Steps to a Positive Morning Routine for KidsA good day starts with a good beginning, but once the school year begins, rushed and frantic mornings are often the norm. As a school counselor and mom of two young girls, I’ve often wondered how to improve our routine by making it an opportunity to connect with my kids rather than being at odds with them over getting up, moving and through the door.

A Fine Parent: How to Establish a Morning Routine for Kids That Actually Works

Big Life Journal: 5 Steps to a Positive Morning Routine for Kids

NBC News: 12 Tips to Master Your Kids' Morning Routine and Eliminate Stress

Understood: 8 Ways to Make School Morning Routines Easier

Understood: Download Picture Schedules for Morning, After School, and Bedtime Routines

This image is a Bitmoji of Ms. Benson smiling, with the caption "Plans?".

Plan The Night Before

For a smoother morning, do some preparation the night before. It will save time the next day. Here are some things that can be done the night before to jump-start your morning routine:

Help or have your child pick out their outfit for the next day.
Have your child take a shower or bath.
Make sure any necessary work for school is done.
Pack backpacks with necessary work, supplies, and forms to return to school.
Bonus: Prepare some food for the next day’s snack or lunch.

This image is a Bitmoji of Ms. Benson looking tired while an alarm clock dances around.

Get Your Zzzzz's

I don’t know about you, but I have a much better day if I’ve had enough sleep the night before. Kids are the same. They need lots of sleep (9-11 hours depending on their age, according to WebMD). A well-rested kid is going to have a smoother morning than a sleepy, cranky kid (or a sleepy, cranky school counselor for that matter). For resources for fine-tuning your child’s bedtime routine, check out my bedtime routines page.

This image is a Bitmoji of Ms. Benson dancing around with breakfast items, including toast, a waffle, a berry, an egg, and a coffee cup. It's very surreal.

Routine is Everything!

Kids (and myself, to be perfectly honest), thrive on routine. Following a schedule before and after school can help kids know what to expect and get ready for their day. It can be helpful to include your child in creating a schedule for their morning routine so they have a sense of ownership. For younger kids, you may try using a picture schedule. Older kids may do well with a checklist. Please note that while routines can be super helpful, sometimes we have to go with the flow and be flexible. Things happen!

Here is a list of things that may be in your child's morning routine:

Wake up
Wash face
Eat breakfast
Get dressed
Brush teeth
Brush hair
Go over the day’s schedule
Grab backpack and other important stuff
Put on jacket and shoes
Head out the door

This image is a Bitmoji of Ms. Benson looking confident, with the caption "You Can Do It!".

Set the Tone

The morning is a great opportunity to check in with your children, see how they're feeling, go over the schedule for the day (especially if there is something different that's going to happen, like an appointment), and ask them what they are looking forward to about the day. Encourage your child and remind them to have a growth mindset!

This image is a Bitmoji of Ms. Benson holding a stack of books.

Stay Organized

It can be helpful to designate certain spots for things your child will need to have ready for the morning, such as their backpack, jacket, sports stuff, instrument, homework, books, and so on. It’s helpful for kids to have their school supplies in a box or pencil case.

Page updated

Report abuse