Free Simple School Morning Routine: Make Mornings Easier

Having a stress-free school morning routine keeps mornings from being an uphill battle.

One of my daughters is in first grade, and our second will be joining the routine next year! Right off the bat, I knew we needed to get into good habits to make school mornings relaxing.

From prepping the night before to getting out the door in the morning, every step plays a central role in setting the right tone for each of our days.

By following my stress-free morning routine, you can make a smoother start to your day and get your kids out the door with smiles.

Key Takeaways

• Prepping the night before is crucial to reducing morning stress—have them pick an outfit, pack their lunch, pack any papers, and more.
• Waking up early enough to get into school clothes and spend time together improves kids’ moods and allows time for a balanced breakfast.
• You’ve prepared and packed and are ready to head out the door. But wait! Did you double-check everything? Having a checklist to follow can help kids stay on task!
• Need some help after a long school day? Check out my free after-school routine printable.

Free Simple School Morning Routine: Make Mornings Easier

Let’s take a closer look at each component of getting ready for school the day before and the morning of and how you can implement them into your morning:

Prep The Night Before

I make sure to use part of our afternoons/evenings to prepare for the next day. Evening preparations can significantly reduce morning stress and ensure a smoother start to the day.

This can include simple tasks like:

• Select an outfit for the next day (or make sure they have a clean school uniform)
• Check classes for tomorrow
• Unload backpack (check for anything that needs signing)
• Get homework done
• Pack backpack with all school supplies
• Unload and clean out lunch box
• Pack lunch/snack

With younger kids, you can do this routine with them to start them off and help them get their food together each night to make sure they have a balanced lunch.

My daughter only took a few weeks to develop these habits last year, and she was excited to plan ahead and get her outfits ready the night before so she could spend more time picking.

She gets home, unpacks her bag and lunch, and gets her “homework” done before playtime. Then, about an hour before dinner, she pops upstairs to pick out her clothes and get her backpack packed.

Dress Right For The Day

I mentioned this already, but my daughter looks forward to picking her outfits for school and having her do it the night before gives her more time and less pressure.

Encouraging children to prepare school clothes for the next day can foster independence and ensure they are dressed appropriately.

But we talk about the weather and class activities to make sure she picks clothes that work for the day and whatever her teachers have asked for.

If your child’s room is more accessible, you can make picking clothes easier by having easy-to-open drawers, a stool to reach their hangers, and a cubby or spot to put their outfits.

Get Up Early Enough

Ever heard the saying, “The early bird catches the worm?” Well, waking up a bit earlier can give your child more time to prepare for the day, have a good breakfast, and read together if they’re ready to go.

Don’t get them up so early that they fall asleep in school or anything, but I say most kids need at least an hour or more to fully wake up, get dressed, and have breakfast before they leave.

My daughter’s bus is at 7:20, so we get up together at 6; she brushes her teeth, gets into the outfit she picked out, and meets me downstairs to have breakfast.

If we’re done with that by about 6:45, we double-check her bags and plans for the day. Then, she gets to have some playtime, and we can read a story together to start the day off right.

Adjusting to an alarm clock can be different for every kid, but if you or I know anything, it’ll be part of their morning routine for a long time.

Have A Good Breakfast

We’ve all heard it before—breakfast is the most important meal of the day. This is especially true for school-going children and teens.

A tasty breakfast provides students with the energy to start their day and is linked with:

• Healthier body weight
• Better school performance
• Preventing overeating later due to hunger
• Getting their metabolism going, which helps burn calories

Research has shown that children who eat breakfast show improved memory, attention, and test scores in school. So, why wouldn’t we want to start the day off right??

My girls are happy with a runny egg on a slice of whole grain bread or peanut butter and jelly oatmeal, but there’s really no limit to what can make for a good breakfast.

Have Time For The Family

When routines incorporate family activities, it can support children in adjusting to change more easily and foster independence.

School mornings can be tough. My daughter was sad at times, missing how we would spend days playing, and now she has to leave me and her sister every day.

But we start off our days together as a family, so she feels like she isn’t missing out as much.

Whether it’s a quick game of tic-tac-toe while eating breakfast or reading a book on the couch before the bus arrives, make sure to carve out some family time in your morning routine.

After all, a little bonding can go a long way in starting the day on a positive note.

Get Out The Door

You’ve made it to the final step of your morning routine – getting out the door!

Prepping the night before was perfect to save time and make the mornings more about the easy stuff.

We can enjoy a little extra family time or a leisurely breakfast instead of frantically searching for a missing shoe or homework assignment.

With our clothes laid out, backpacks packed, and lunches prepared, we can head out the door for school feeling organized and calm, ready to take on the day’s learning and fun.

FAQs

What’s a good morning routine to get ready before school?

A good morning routine includes:

• Planning the night before
• Ensuring all necessary items are packed
• Waking up early
• Eating breakfast to kick start their energy
• Family time in the morning

Remember, an effective morning routine is not just about being efficient; it’s also about starting the day on a positive note.

Do teens need a school morning routine?

Yes, teenagers definitely still need a school morning routine. Consistent routines like mealtimes, bedtimes, and after-school schedules have been linked with:

• Better sleep
• More personal connection
• Less alcohol use
• Enhanced self-control
• Improved emotional well-being
• Higher rates of college enrollment

But it’s important to remember that both older kids and younger kids may vary in their affinity for routines.

Giving them a say in the habits they develop can promote a sense of ownership and cooperation.

Also, adopting new routines should be approached with flexibility, allowing for adjustment when something doesn’t work or situations change.

How do I start a new morning routine?

Starting a new morning routine can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s all about taking small steps and gradually adjusting to the changes.

For teenagers, this can involve open discussions about their morning stress triggers and encouraging them to plan and document a helpful routine.

For younger children, you can use my routine above and work them through it with a hands-on approach, getting them used to it before they do it solo.

Consistency is key, and with time, the new routine will become a familiar part of your child’s day.

And remember, every family is different. Feel free to tweak and modify the routine to best suit your family’s needs.

Final Thoughts

A well-planned and consistent school morning routine can transform chaotic mornings into smooth, productive starts to the day.

By planning the night before, waking up early, dressing appropriately, having a good breakfast, and incorporating family time, you can set your child (and yourself!) up for success.

Remember, it’s not just about getting out the door on time; it’s about starting the day with less stress and more relaxation.

So, take the plunge and start implementing your school morning routine today. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes!