Rochester, Minnesota - For many kids, summer is a time to stay up late, sleep in and hang out with friends. Waking up for that first day of a new school year can be a shock if young children, teenagers and parents or caregivers have not come up with a routine.
Mayo Clinic Children's Center psychologist Dr. Stephen Whiteside says routines are good for everybody. He says, "Routines give us structure and help us complete the tasks and challenges we face each day."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website notes that routines help children know what to expect as the day unfolds. Dr. Whiteside says developing routines for morning, bedtime and any other recurring event can make things run more smoothly at home and at school. Each family should begin the transition into a back-to-school routine at least a week or two before the first bell rings.