With another school year on the horizon, there’s no better time to start encouraging healthy habits for your child to help them start their school year on a positive note. Here are a few ways you can help prepare your child for back-to-school season.

Re-establish Your Routines
Routines tend to become a bit looser during the summertime — and that’s OK. But as we near back-to-school season, it’s a great idea to slowly incorporate these routines again for your family. Determine a regular bedtime, set a morning alarm, limit screen time and establish a plan for homework and chores. Easing into these routines before the school year starts helps children settle back into their habits smoothly.

Create a Distraction-Free Space
For some kids, completing their homework is a breeze, but others may need more encouragement and assistance. If your child has difficulty focusing, creating a distraction-free space to focus on their assignments is essential. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a seat at the dining table or a dedicated study room, as long as it’s a quiet space where your child can complete homework and projects without getting side-tracked by toys, pets, television or other people.

Set Boundaries
With all the bustle the school year brings, it’s especially important to implement boundaries for your children. For example:

• Set a curfew for older kids, especially on school nights

• Limit screen time and explain that they must complete their homework and chores first

• No playdates on school nights

Decide on the best boundaries for your family and stick to them.