Written by Michelle Steward, Principal
As I begin to feel the chill in the air and watch the leaves beginning to fall, I am reminded once again of the consistency of the seasons. Patterns are very important to nature. When these patterns are interrupted, the trouble begins. Humans, like everything else in nature, also work best and most comfortably within a defined pattern.
To understand how we humans function, one must remember that the brain is a pattern-seeking device. Whenever we attempt to make sense of our world — to learn a new skill or remember an unfamiliar task — our brains will work to put it into a category that already exists within us.
Think about when you have to get to an unfamiliar part of town. To successfully follow the directions you are given, you must first put them in a context you already know. Not only necessary, routines are also very comforting. Have you ever been extremely glad to be back home (and your familiar routine) after a vacation — even a really great vacation? Knowing what is expected and getting back to the daily routine is a great relief at those times when life throws us those unexpected twists and turns.
In order to help your child achieve at a high level in school, a wise parent will recognize this fact and use it to help create success. First, analyze what your daily schedule is. During the week, does your child get up and get ready at the same time and in the same routine? When they get home, do they know what chores they have, what time is set aside for reading and/or homework, when dinner is, and what the limit is on watching TV? Do they have a bedtime or do they just go to bed when they feel like it? Establishing and maintaining a healthy routine for your family can make things at home flow much more smoothly.
All children should have an established time for relaxation when they come home from school. Some families like for that time to be as soon as they get home and some want them to finish any homework before they play. The order doesn't matter as long as it is consistent.
Homework time should occur each day. If your child does not have any assignments for that evening, the time should be spent working on reading for enjoyment and practice. Finally, studies have shown that American children are not getting enough rest on a regular basis. This lack of sleep affects all of their systems including brain function.
TV, video games, computers and texting take a toll on the amount of sleep our children are getting. Set a bedtime (even for older children) and be firm about it. The old proverb, “Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise” appears be a fact.
Take some time this fall to establish patterns within your home. You’ll be glad you did.