How we prepare for certain things, whether it be a project or planning for an event or even typical routines will determine our overall success. Our children should have this same mindset when working towards a goal or carrying out their daily activities. It is better to start off prepared and ahead than behind and unprepared.
Success Is Met With Structure
Creating healthy habits for your child will set them on a clear path to success as they will have the capability to understand how to execute and follow a schedule as well as seeing the successful nature in which routines bring. Every hour of every day does not need to be scheduled as children should have time to explore things on their own, however, it is important to create some structured time in their day.
Think in terms of the morning, after school, and before bed. List the things that need to be done in each of these areas to be considered a great day to set them up for optimal success. For example:
- Morning – Wake up, get dressed, brush teeth, make the bed, breakfast and free time.
- Afternoon – After school snack, 45 minutes of free time, homework, chores, then free time the rest of the day.
- Bedtime – Pack bag for tomorrow, lay out clothes, shower, and lights out by a set time.
When children are younger, you’ll play a greater role in establishing times and schedules for this. Have your kids engage with you during this process. As they get older, give them more freedom, choice, and opportunity to engage and create their own systems so long as the goals are ultimately met.
Stick to the plan. Make sure all the adults in the house, as well as all the children, are aware of the plans and schedules in which you have set in motion so that everyone is on board. When good choices are made, and rules are followed, reward your child for following through on their goals as this will encourage this behavior.
Sleep
Sleep, sleep, sleep. When a child does not receive the proper amount of rest each night, they are more likely to under perform the following day. A child should be getting anywhere between 10-12 hours of sleep a night. Over-scheduling children is also a cause for concern and can cause them added stress which could lead to trouble sleeping.
As children’s bodies are growing, they need sleep in order to grow so keeping bedtimes consistent is a must. If they have a hard time falling asleep, try to keep the room as dark as possible and always avoid screen time for at least one hour before bed.
Spine
As parents, we want our children to be excellent communicators, with us and with the world. Well, in order for the body to successfully communicate, the spine needs to be in optimal health. When the spine is healthy, the nervous system is ready and able to learn new information, retain the new information, and adapt to the surroundings.
If your child is involved in sports, having a healthy spine can not only make them a stronger athlete but also help to prevent future injuries. Having your child see a chiropractor at the start of the year will help to adjust them for the new year to come. Having regularly scheduled chiropractic visits will ensure that the spine is in optimal health leaving your child ready to take on the world.
Start the school year off right by allowing your child to get the sleep they deserve as well as ensuring their spine is in the best health it could be in. Our Atlanta chiropractors welcome children of all ages who wish to optimize their spine health. Call us today at (404) 889-8828 for an appointment!