BEFORE SCHOOL
Don't Hit Snooze
Kids need enough time in the morning to leisurely get ready for a long school day. School items should already be packed and ready to grab on the way out the door. (We'll talk about that below.) Set the alarm for the same time each morning and vow to not hit the snooze button. (At least not more than once!) Giving kids an alarm of their own takes the pressure off you and teaches them responsibility.
Get Dressed
Laying clothes out before going to bed makes getting ready in the morning a lot faster and easier. The outfit decision has already been made and all matching pieces are already there waiting to be put on. Older kids may choose to shower in the morning after waking up (which will cause the alarm time to be set earlier) but it's best to let younger children bathe the night before when you're not in a hurry.
Eat a Nutritious Breakfast
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it gives you the energy needed to get the day started right. Avoid sugary cereals and opt for fresh fruits, oatmeal, eggs, and other foods that will fuel their bodies without a sugar rush to come off of in a couple of hours. Eating breakfast as a family lets everyone talk about upcoming plans for the day.
Brush Those Teeth
Before heading out the door for school, always brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes. Schools generally don't ask kids to bring a toothbrush to school to clean their teeth after lunch and you don't want two meals stuck on their teeth all day long.
AFTER SCHOOL
Stock Up on Healthy Snacks
After a long day of learning, kids usually come home hungry for something to eat. Stock the cabinets with healthy snacks so bad food choices aren't even an option. There are plenty of healthy foods available that are delicious. For example, apples, carrots, vegetables, yogurt, fruit smoothies, and cheese all make excellent snack foods and they're not only good for your oral health but also the rest of your body. Presentation makes a big difference and if these foods are already cut up and ready to eat, kids are more likely to go ahead and enjoy them.
Finish Homework Early
Each person is different, so this part of the routine may vary from child to child. Some kids like to hit the books the second they arrive home to get homework out of the way while others prefer to give their brain a break first before tackling homework. Figure out which way works best for your child and encourage them to stick to that routine each day. The key is to not put it off so long that they end up staying up past bedtime or getting up extra early in the morning to complete it.
Also, parents need to check with their child to see if any papers need to be signed or anything else needs to be done. Do this early in the evening so it's not a "surprise" you hear about on the way to school the next day! This is kind of like homework for Mom and Dad.
Prep for the Next Day
Before going to bed, it's a good idea to pack everything needed for the next school day (books, finished homework, permission slips, lunch money, etc...) into the backpack and set it by the door you leave through in the morning. Shoes, jackets, and anything else that needs to go with your child can all be left here too for a quick "grab & go" before school.
Have a Set Bedtime Routine
A great day begins with a good night's sleep. Choose a bedtime that allows at least 8 hours of sleep with plenty of time to wake up and get ready in the morning without being rushed. It is suggested that children stop having "screen time," meaning mobile devices, computers, and TVs, 1-2 hours before bedtime for a restful sleep. This is a perfect time to read a story together or for older children to catch up on reading for school. They can also use these screen-free time to pick out the clothes they will wear tomorrow.
Last, but certainly not least, your dentists in Southern Missouri have to remind you that an important part of that bedtime routine is brushing and flossing your teeth! If you haven't already done it after dinner, make sure to not skip your dental health routine before going to sleep. Skipping this allows food particles to do their dirty work all night long, causing all kinds of problems for your teeth that can be avoided with just 2 minutes of brushing and a good job flossing.
We hope that these tips inspire you and your family to come up with a routine that works best for your schedules. After a while, the routine will become a habit and help to keep everyone on track for a successful school year.
We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile!
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