After School Routine (Schedule) Templates

Most parents are often looking for ways to maintain a healthy routine and establish an explicit schedule for their children to ensure that they are more independent, less anxious, and better organized. As a parent/guardian, you must understand that you are responsible for building a good foundation for your child by teaching them discipline and setting rules/directions/goals. To ensure this, you can start by establishing a routine for the daily activities that your child does at home, at school, and during playtime. Instilling a structured after-school routine and schedule for your child will help them develop self-discipline and a sense of responsibility by being on time and following the rules.

If you want to create a routine or schedule for your child, this guide will help you understand what an after-school routine is, why you should make one, and what you should include in the routine. This guide will also provide you with free downloadable after-school routine templates that you can use for convenience.

What is an After-School Routine?

An after-school routine is a set of activities a child must complete after school.

This routine is usually used to help children with homework, chores, and other responsibilities they must complete daily. These activities can include tasks such as doing homework, playing sports, or participating in activities such as dance, music, or art. An after-school routine that is well planned can help children develop healthy habits at a young age and teach them how to work on their own from an early age.

In schools, children are in a highly structured environment, where their movements, behavior, and activities are usually monitored and controlled. Unfortunately, this high structure can sometimes overwhelm some children, making them anxious or withdrawn from school. To avoid this, parents can create an after-school routine for their children to help them adjust to a more relaxed environment. In addition, by creating a routine, you are also giving your child a sense of comfort and familiarity after-school as they will be able to familiarize themselves with a particular order that is followed at home.

Other key reasons why you may want to create an after-school routine include:

Less argument between parents and children

Creating an after-school routine for your children will provide them with an activity they can follow daily. With a routine, your child will always know what they are expected to do and how long it will take. This may reduce the argument between you and the child over what they should be doing after coming home from school.

Keeps you organized

Creating an after-school routine will help you in the long run as it will help you stay organized. In addition, the routine will provide a timetable or schedule for your child and help them know what they need to do after school. This way, there is no confusion about deadlines and requirements that may result in stress.

Makes you consistent

Setting a routine of activities your child must complete after school can help you be reliable and consistent as a parent. This will motivate your child, which may encourage them to want to do their homework and follow the rules. Being consistent will also help your child feel secure that what they are doing is essential and that you would not change their routine.

Sets expectations

An after-school routine means setting expectations for your child as to what they are expected to do. These expectations help your child understand that they must contribute to school work, chores, and other activities. This will help the child appreciate that there is a purpose behind their daily activities, and when the time comes around, they will know what they have to do.

After-school routines can be created to include multiple activities and situations that are required to be completed by your child. Therefore, you should consider various factors when setting up the after-school routine, including age and developmental stage, likes and dislikes, school requirements, and general daily activities. Once you have settled on the categories of activities that you intend to include in your routine, you will be able to craft a schedule that is specific enough for your child and easy to follow.

Some of the most common activities that you may want to include in the after-school routine/schedule include:

Shoes in the shoe basket

This is a relatively simple routine, which is an excellent first step. After the child comes home from school, they should put their shoes in the shoe basket. Most children can handle this task without difficulty, especially if they are accustomed to putting on their shoes every day after school.

Unpack bags

After removing their shoes, the child can unpack their school bags to ensure they have everything they need for the remaining activities. This will also help them organize their bags, so they do not leave any books or assignments behind. After unpacking the bag, the child can take their books and other papers to their room or study area and keep the bag and other items in the appropriate place.

Wash your hands

Children should be taught basic hygiene at a young age, including washing their hands before eating. To do this, you should add an after-school routine that requires the child to wash their hands in the sink or correct hand washing procedure before they are allowed to eat anything after school. By making them wash their hands every time, you are teaching them to be clean and less likely to get sick.

Snacks

During the after-school routine, please provide your child with a snack that will not only help them to be more energized but may also motivate them to start their homework and complete other activities. Snacks are suitable for young children as they give them nutrients, energy, and a sense of fulfillment. In addition, taking time to create a snack routine for your child will help them stay focused significantly since you can add more items to help them maintain a healthy diet.

Recap or summary

It is always good for a child to recap or summarize what happened in school. This can help them remember important information they might have missed during the day and ensure they do not forget anything. For example, you can ask them to tell you about the work they did in class or what they will be doing tomorrow at school. In addition, this can also encourage them to share their experience with you and discuss their day. This way, you can get an overview of what they have been learning and if they are doing well in their subjects.

Discuss tomorrow’s plan

Another good routine to include in your child’s after-school schedule is to discuss tomorrow’s plan. This can be done by asking your child what they have planned for the following day, whether it is school or some other activity. The discussion can include when they need to get up when they should take their showers, breakfast, etc. Include this activity in the schedule as it prepares your child for the next day and ensures they understand what will happen next.

Homework time

Setting a specific time for your child to do their homework is another essential part of their after-school routine. If your child is required to spend some time on their homework, it is best to have them come straight from school and start the process. This will help them to remember what they need to do and prepare for the next part of their day. In addition, by setting a specific time that requires your child to complete their homework, you are setting a clear goal for them to attain and helping them become more independent.

Cleaning and tidying up

When it comes to home chores and cleaning, most children either avoid doing them or take longer than necessary to complete them. To motivate your child to do all their chores faster and better, you can include this in the after-school routine as it is a straightforward task. When including chores in your routine, you should assign them based on your child’s age. For example, if your child is five, you may want to assign them a different chore, like putting their toys and games in the right place when they finish playing with them.

Free time

Most children have a long day at school with all of the activities that they are required to complete. As such, this can leave them feeling exhausted by the end of the day. To help them unwind, you may want to include some free time in your child’s after-school routine. This can include things like reading, playing games, or using technology that they may not be able to enjoy during school time.

Dinner and family time

Regarding the after-school routine, you should also include some time for your family to eat dinner and spend quality time together. By including these activities in the after-school schedule, you are helping your child stay on track with their daily activities and allows them to get some quality bonding time with the rest of their family members.

Take a walk

When it comes to the after-school routine, one of the easiest ways to help your child unwind is to include a walk in their schedule. This can be done by having your child take a quick walk around the block or spending some time outdoors with their friends. A walk will help them eliminate any energy accumulated throughout their long day. It will also give them time to think and reflect on what has happened during the day and what they will do next.

Reading time

Another great way to help your child unwind is to have them read a book before they go to bed. This will not only give them time to relax but can also improve their reading skills, help them learn more, and increase their knowledge of the world around them. In addition, you should also set a specific time for when they should stop reading their book and get ready for bed.

Practice gratitude

One of the most important concepts for your child to learn and develop is a positive attitude that can make a significant difference in their lives by practicing gratitude in their after-school routine. For example, you may want to set aside a specific time for them to write down two things they are grateful for that day or make it the last thing they do before going to bed. By doing this, they are learning to appreciate the things they have in their life and are developing a grateful attitude that can help them succeed in the future.

Note: It is essential to understand that the activities listed must be done consistently for an after-school routine to be successful. Your child must understand the need to do something they have been assigned during their after-school time.

There are a variety of different after-school routines that you can implement for your child. When creating an after-school routine for your child, you should include all the essential components. This includes things such as eating, sleeping, doing homework, and activities. In addition, it is vital to make sure that you are not being too strict or rigid in the routine that you set for them. To help ensure that you include all the essential components, we have provided free, easy-to-use, customizable after-school routine templates that you can download and use.

To help ensure that you get the most out of the after-school routine, here are some tips that you may consider:

Be flexible with your daily schedule

As your child develops, you will realize that their after-school routine may need to be changed daily. This is because children grow at different rates and cannot always progress as fast as their peers. However, this does not necessarily mean that you should stop trying to implement an after-school routine for your child. On the contrary, the more you can make it happen, the more enjoyable and successful it will be for them.

Talk to the children about after school routine

Make sure that when you are helping your child adopt their after-school routine, you allow them to say something about the matter. In addition, you should ensure that the schedule you created for them is comfortable and will help them unwind after a long day at school. This is why it is essential to include them in the process, so they can provide their input and perhaps make some adjustments to the scheduled activities.

Troubleshoot your after-school schedule

To ensure that the after-school routine you have developed with your child remains effective, review it monthly. This can help you determine whether or not your schedule is working effectively and if there are any issues or concerns to address. In addition, you may want to check up on the schedule at random intervals throughout the month, especially if you see that your child is struggling with something they have been assigned during their after-school time.

Pros and Cons

Several benefits can be associated with implementing an after-school routine for your child. However, several potential issues may also arise during the process. To ensure that these issues are minimized, it is crucial to be aware of the pros and cons of implementing an after-school routine.

Pros

After-school routine gives children a sense of structure and organization. It helps them be consistent by ensuring they understand their responsibilities after school. It also helps them focus on their daily tasks and ensures that they are completed by the end of the day. Finally, it also adds consistency to their daily obligations.

Cons

The after-school routine can seem a bit too scheduled and organized for some children. As a result, they may find that this can be overwhelming and difficult for them to enjoy their free time. Because of this, they may not embrace the type of structure that comes with an after-school routine.

It is important to understand that after-school routines should be implemented to try to make it work rather than make a change. By implementing an after-school routine, you can help your child build appropriate habits and create a solid foundation to take advantage of their time in school and at home. For instance, having a set time for your child to do their homework or complete their activities will make them less likely to procrastinate and more likely to take advantage of the things they need to do. This can make it easier for them to stay organized and get things done in the long run.