Ah, the annual back-to-school checklist! You may be thinking of notebooks, markers, pens and the like. It’s always fun to start off with new supplies. However, for successful school at home, there’s another kind of checklist.
Here are some ideas that have been important to me (and I’ve made a printable short version, too 😉 – find it at the end of this post). School time is just around the corner: time to clarify your vision and implement anything that promises to be helpful.
Be sure to also grab my free e-book, Five Essentials of Homeschooling: an easy read on how to prepare and what to expect.
Back to School Checklist:
____ Establish a bedtime routine
A good day starts with the night before. The National Sleep Foundation recommends 9-11 hours of sleep for school aged children (8-10 hours for teens), with the same sleep schedule every day being the best strategy. Find age appropriate routines (e.g., bath and story time for littles, read in bed then lights out for olders) then stick with it. Everyone benefits from a steady bedtime routine: bodies are properly restored for the next day, and it allows for a little “me time” for the adults in the evening.
____ Figure out where and when study will take place
Whether you are doing school together, or if your kids are working on their own, having space designated specifically for school study or activity is really helpful. Choose what works best: some kids feel more comfortable in the center of things, while others need solitude and quiet in order to concentrate. Will you set certain hours as quiet time? Will you want the bulk of schoolwork to be completed by noon? Or sprinkle it throughout the day? Keep in mind your children’s’ needs and abilities, as well as your own.
____ Decide where to keep school stuff
Establishing a shelf or table where all school materials can be placed when not in use will pay huge dividends in the realm of peace and sanity. A little bit of organization, kept up, will go a long way towards keeping frustration out of school at home: constantly looking for things wastes time and zaps motivation. Make a place for writing utensils, art supplies, books and a file for paperwork. Note: things will accumulate as the year unfolds, so decide now how to handle the clutter (i.e., what will you keep and what will you toss?)
____ Make a plan for meals and snacks (to avoid non stop eating!)
Depending upon the number of people hanging out at home all day, the kitchen can become a messy main thoroughfare (which is very discouraging to face when it’s time to prepare dinner). Think about how you’d like to handle everyone’s hungry moments.
____ How do you want to handle screen time?
Think about all the devices, who has them, what they should be used for and any time limits that you feel are needed. Every family sees this differently. Go with your gut and allow what you think is right and fair. As you’ve probably discovered, screen time is an easy way to keep children occupied but can easily get out of hand. Take the opportunity to have family or one-on-one discussions about wants, needs, safety and screen alternatives.
____ Who will take care of housekeeping?
Everyone is home all day, every day. During the school year, when much needs to be accomplished, be proactive and make some simple, low anxiety chore charts. If everyone is responsible for just a few tasks each day, things can stay ship shape. Remember to include laundry: clean towels and clean clothes for everyone is a boost for all!
____ Scheduling: Post a permanent weekly calendar that everyone can refer to (online classes, Zoom meetings, family meeting, etc.)
Having an accessible, easy to decipher calendar will diminish questions and avoid the negative consequences of missing a class or meeting.
____ R&R time: who, what, when, where, how?
Last, but not least, when will everyone have time to let loose and relax? The school year can be intense, and employment schedules add another layer. We all need some type of down time – adults and children. If it isn’t planned, it may not happen, and the results won’t be pretty. 😨
If you implement these ideas, you’ll be well on your way to a great homeschooling year.
Here’s a short version of the checklist. You can refer back to this post for details.
Print and go! (Click on image to download)
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Feeling lost? Lots of ideas here.
