Starting Off on the Right Foot
The beginning of the school year always marks an important time in our household. Everyone is putting their best foot forward to get things arranged, organized, planned, and a sense of excitement with appropriate anxiousness shows the positivity of another new beginning.
I realize this may not be the case in every household, but I want to help you experience the joy this always brings my family. There are many things we do to prepare for this time so that we can start off on the right foot!
Setting the stage for back to school is really important. I'm not referring to the hype, meeting teachers, or even shopping (my favorite part😊). I'm talking about the conversations and the set up. You have to discuss what learning/homework time will look like at home. This is for virtual learning or homework/study time from the typical face-to-face learning.
Conversations
1. Goals
Ask your child what their goals are for this school year. Of course, they will probably think social goals at first. But with a little digging into the conversation, you may be surprised with what they want for themselves! Mom, dad, your job becomes SO MUCH EASIER if this is the case! You simply have to help them develop those goals and they have taken ownership in the whole process! Next you want to turn these goals into action steps. Remember to keep it simple with just a couple goals. You can add new goals as you see previous goals becoming natural.
2. Action Steps
Now you want to break down those goals into small chunks. What will this look like in small weekly, or even daily, doses? When will homework be done? Where will homework be done? Who checks homework? Are there incentives?
Here are some examples of some goals and action steps if you need some ideas:
Goal: Improve focus during homework time
Action Steps:
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Use a timer: 25 minutes of focused work, 5-minute break (Pomodoro technique).
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Turn off phone notifications or put the phone in another room.
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Work at a clean, quiet desk with all supplies ready.
Goal: Complete all homework on time
Action Steps:
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Check assignment planner or online portal every day after school.
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List tasks by due date or priority.
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Cross off tasks as they are completed.
Goal: Stick to a regular homework routine
Action Steps:
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Set a consistent start time each day (e.g., 4:00 PM).
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Create a visual schedule for after-school activities and study.
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Use an alarm or reminder to signal the start of homework time.
Goal: Finish homework without rushing before bed
Action Steps:
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Start homework within 30 minutes of arriving home.
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Limit screen time until homework is complete.
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Break down long assignments into smaller daily parts.
Goal: Keep school materials organized
Action Steps:
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Use folders or binders labeled by subject.
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Clean out backpack once a week.
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Pack school bag and double-check completed homework the night before.
Goal: Track assignments and upcoming tests
Action Steps:
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Write down homework and due dates in a planner every day.
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Use color coding for subjects or priorities.
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Review planner with a parent each evening.
Goal: Stay motivated and take responsibility for learning
Action Steps:
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Set a small reward for completing all homework (e.g., free time, a treat).
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Reflect weekly on what went well and what was hard.
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Practice saying: “I’ll try it first, then ask for help if needed.”
Goal: Ask for help appropriately when stuck
Action Steps:
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Try to solve the problem for 5–10 minutes first.
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Write down a clear question to ask a parent, teacher, or peer.
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Use class notes, videos, or homework help apps for support.
Set Up Your Space
1. Find a distraction free area
When students are working on school work, they should be sitting upright at a table or desk so that their body and their brain can communicate the need to focus. They should not be in front of a TV. Honestly, that's too tempting, even for me! They should not have a device unless they are using one to complete their work. They should also not be in a busy area with lots of people coming and going.
2. Have the right materials available
Once you have the work area selected, go ahead and have a place to organize all the materials they may need to complete their tasks. A simple basket or bin should be perfect whether they use a desk or a table. This saves lots of time having to track down items that will only delay their progress.
3. Make daily to-do lists
If you know there is a test on Friday, don't wait until Thursday to start studying. Break it down a little each day. To-do lists really help with this so you don't forget something! Order these tasks in a priority rank - what is the most urgent, second, and so on. Don't create long lists as that gets very overwhelming. Make them manageable.
4. Celebrate and have fun!
Most importantly, decide on ways to celebrate. How does your child want to celebrate finishing their daily to-do list? How can you celebrate the excellent teacher feedback? What about that good test grade? Celebrating is SO important! It confirms to your child that you are proud of their accomplishments.
Celebrating doesn't have to be elaborate either. My daughter and I had a "Happy Dance" when she was in Kindergarten. Her smile was magical when we did the "Happy Dance." Here are some more examples of ways you can celebrate daily task accomplishments:
High-Five or Fist Bump - A fast and fun way to recognize effort right away
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Sticker or Star Chart - Add a sticker for each completed homework session or goal met.
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Mini Dance Party - Put on a favorite song and celebrate with a 1-minute dance break!
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Victory Snack - Share a small treat like a cookie, popcorn, or fruit after finishing work.
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Special “Homework Done” Callout - Announce in a fun way: “Homework Hero of the Day!” or “Mission Complete!”
Praise Specific Effort - Say things like, “I’m proud of how you stuck with that hard math problem," or “You finished early today—that’s awesome focus!”
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One-on-One Chat or Cuddle Time - Spend 5–10 minutes talking or relaxing together as a reward.
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Let the Child Share Their Work - Ask them to explain something they learned or show a finished project.
Choose the Next Activity - Let your child pick a short game, show, or story to enjoy after studying.
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Homework Pass (Once in a While) -Offer a “skip one chore” or “homework helper pass” for consistent effort.
Helpful Tools
Here are some links to some of my favorite tools to help with organization of homework time!
INDEX CARDS!! These are tried and true for studying all kinds of material!
(As part of the Amazon Affiliate program, I earn a commission on qualified purchases, so I want to thank you in advance for your orders! THANK YOU!)
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