After-School Routines

When school lets out for the day, the home can become the scene of uncontrolled chaos. But a friendly schedule that works for everyone should produce some peaceful after-school downtime. Finding the right balance between a free-for-all and a strict regimen can be tricky. With these pointers, afternoons will quickly become the highlight of everyone's day, yours included.

Structure is the antidote for disorder, so pay attention to your child's moods and what may cause them to unravel. Keep those markers in mind when nailing down a daily routine. "The beginning of the new school year is a perfect opportunity to establish a new, structured after-school routine," says Amy Taylor, a psychologist and parent educator based in Los Angeles.

While some structure is good, too much can be overkill. Toward the end of elementary school, begin encouraging your kids to think about their own schedules, suggests Peg Dawson, staff psychologist at the Center for Learning and Attention Disorders in Portsmouth, N.H. and co-author of the book Smart but Scattered. "We don’t have to schedule everything for them but ask them to make a plan so they become partners in the scheduling," she says.

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Free play—especially outside with peers—is an essential part of children's development, as it helps them develop their imaginations as well as social skills. "If you’re outdoors with make-believe games, two things happen … you’ve got imagination working and you’ve got kids working out social relationships. And there’s a whole set of executive skills that go along with that," says Dawson.

Because home provides cues for free time and relaxation rather than schoolwork, it can be difficult for some kids, particularly those with attention issues, to focus on homework once they've left school, says Dawson. If you find your child has a hard time getting work done at home, consider sending him to an after-school homework club, where the school-work cues will help him gear up to finish his assignments.

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Kids typically come home from school famished, as if they haven't eaten in days. Keep in mind that it may have only been a couple of hours but the little critters get hungry. Keep an assortment of healthy snacks within easy reach (on a refrigerator shelf, in the pantry or on a kid-sized table). While they satisfy their hunger, you can plan dinner or join them for an after-school chat.

You like to relax and so should your kids. "With all of the after-school obligations children today have, it is important to allow some time for your child to relax with an unstructured activity," says Taylor. And if that means watching TV or playing a video game, limit the screen time to 30 minutes.

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Homework time is quiet time whether it's a pre- or post-dinner activity. "Designate a work space away from distractions, such as the television, for your child to complete his homework," Taylor says. And be sure to offer help if he needs assistance, which sends a powerful and positive message. It is a time to learn for him but can be a time to bond for you.