Mary Bryan Elementary
#WEAREMARYBRYAN
Website: perryschools.org/mb/
Location: 4355 East Stop 11 Road, Indianapolis, IN, USA
Phone: 317-789-2600
Twitter: @MaryBryanElem
SOCIAL WORK CORNER
Did you know that structure and routines can help kids learn??? Our students are most successful when they can find their supplies, keep their desks organized, and complete work. One of the ways that families can help their students is to practice building healthy habits at home. Routines help build student brain capacity and executive function, which benefits them academically as well as boosting mental health. Learn more with the article below from “Operation Conversation” at https://www.onoursleeves.org/mental-wellness-tools-guides/healthy-habits
How to Develop Healthy Habits in Kids
Habits are so important to mental health because they impact how we think, act, feel and behave. Habits make our lives easier! And when those habits are disrupted, it can take a toll on us and lead to:
Mental fatigue
Frustration
Problems with focus
It’s been harder than ever for many people – children and adults alike – to maintain healthy habits during the pandemic. It’s certainly understandable: For months on end, there have been disruptions to our routines at work, school and home. But even within today’s uncertain climate, it’s possible to help your kids adopt healthy practices and make those behaviors a part of your family’s regular routine.
What Are Some Examples of a Habit?
Your morning routine!
Bathroom
Brush teeth
Get dressed
Eat breakfast
Let the dog out
Get your backpack/purse/work bag
How Can You Help Kids Form Good Habits?
Follow the 3 R’s – and remember to start easy and make small steps toward the goal!
Reminder (the trigger to start the action)
Make it visual.
A calendar or checklist works great. Put it on the fridge or in their room.
Parents will need to give reminders at the start.
Routine (the action you want to take)
Make sure kids know specifically what they are expected to do.
Practice together.
Make sure they are capable.
Reward (what you get for doing the action)
Have the new behavior be rewarding to your child.
Offer something special when the new routine is completed.
This should be small, but meaningful:
2 pieces of small candy
Extra screen time (10 minutes or so)
Penny in the jar to earn something bigger at the end of the week
Practice Example: Home Learning
Here’s an example of how you can build a new daily routine for home learning.
Reminders
Make a daily checklist of activities that need to be completed.
Print out or draw (get the kids involved too).
Post it somewhere obvious.
Provide verbal cues about what is next and what has been completed.
Routine
Specify what each activity means throughout the day:
Cell phones put away unless being used for learning activity.
30 minutes on math means complete your daily worksheets.
Study sight words for 15 minutes.
Take a break from 10 to 10:30 a.m. for free time.
Reward
Offer both short-term and longer-term rewards.
A 30-minute free time break can be part of the reward.
Older kids might get access to their phones periodically during the school day.
