The After School Routine: Helping Your Child with Executive Function Weaknesses Manage Theirs

In my Executive Function Coaching work with families and students, one of the recurring themes I hear is how much time is wasted after school. This is especially true for those students who are on their own after school. They quickly settle in with watching tv, snacking, playing video games, sleeping or just generally wasting time. 


Why do they do this? 

Because there is no clear routine. 

Successful people {children/students included} have three distinct routines within their day. The morning, afternoon and evening routines. They, generally, follow the same routine each and every day. It may change slightly from day to day or week to week but the structure or outline of the routine remains the same. To read more about morning and evening routines, go here. 

So, how do you help your child create an After School Routine? 


The first and most important step is figuring out what are absolutely THE MOST IMPORTANT things you want your child to complete. Please resist the urge to make a LONG list of items for the After School Routine -kids DO need down/free time after spending the day in school. Having only the most important items on the list will increase the likelihood that those items will be completed on a consistent basis. 

Here is a great example of a general After School Routine that you can download {click under the picture to download the file}: 

afterschoolroutine.pdf
File Size:	1770 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

---

This After School Routine example is for a younger child or one who thrives on visual symbols. You can easily create this after school routine on a chalkboard, smartphone or simply on notebook paper that you post on the fridg. Simply use this example as your guide.

To further help your child, you can have them: record times next to the items to help keep them accountable, text you when they begin/end items, snap pictures of completed tasks etc... Whatever method you decide upon is great but keep in mind that ALL students need some amount of guidance when they first begin a new routine. You will help them at first, and then gradually fade your help {perhaps they won't need to text, record time or snap pictures after a month or so}. 


What have you found works for your child's afternoon routine?  I'd love for you to share/comment.


Until next time, keep growing and blooming. 


Jen