Routines and predictability are another highly researched behavior that positively impact young children.  Implementing those now can pay great dividends in the school years ahead.  CLICK HERE to learn more.

Here are a few routines from our SES team that they used and loved with their own children:

• Mr. Webster (Assistant Superintendent): "Our family has had a "teeth, books, and bed" routine for as long as I can remember.  We're now 10 years in and still doing it.  I can honestly say that between my wife and I, our kids were read to every night before bed. Now they are old enough to read to themselves, and it's such an ingrained routine that we don't even have to ask.  They ask us how many minutes do I GET to read tonight before I have to turn off the lights." 

• Mrs. Norman (Kinder): "A place for everything, everything in its place, is a saying I use at home AND in the classroom. Being organized just makes our day that much better. Cleanup is quick and efficient with ALL hands on deck! Think about the routines you already have at home. Could you add another to make home life a bit easier?"

• Mrs. Desmond (1st): "A routine I learned from Love & Logic was to give my children two options... both of which I was okay with.  For example, we started our mornings every day by me asking my kids "Do you want to get up now or in 10 minutes?".  I made sure that either option worked with our schedule, and it helped us all get our day started on a positive note." 

Goal:  Establish age-appropriate routines for social and emotional wellness before Kindergarten. 

Knowing and following rules and having the ability to take turns are developmentally appropriate skills of 5-year-olds.  How can you help your child grow in this area?  Proven strategies include modeling, using verbal and visual cues for whose turn it is, playing board games to practice, or considering a time for identifying how long a turn will last.  Two of Schoolcraft's Elementary teachers shared their thoughts as both teachers and as moms:

• Mrs. Storm (1st-Grade): "Consistency is very important when it comes to rules at home.  I found that if I couldn't follow through on it, I had to keep myself from saying it." 

• Mrs. Niewoonder (2nd-Grade): "With my kids, I let them know as they share toys that their turn will come when their brother or sister is done playing with that toy.  We then practice taking that toy to their sibling so their turn can begin."

Goal: Practice social skills that will make sharing a classroom more successful.