September 2, 2024

After School Routines

A student sits at his desk at home

As a new school year begins, families make many adjustments  to their daily schedules. While it is an exciting time of year, balancing all of these changes and new expectations can be stressful. Routines, both in school and at home, can help ease the transition. 

A predictable school routine helps students access learning. Consequently, having consistent routines at home can help children unwind and know what to expect when they come home. Home routines vary from family to family, as each has unique needs. Below are a few components to consider when building your family’s after school routine:

Check in 

School days can be demanding, and children often come home from school tired, making it difficult for them to maintain conversations. As parents and caretakers, it is important to be intentional about the kinds of questions you ask. Rather than asking “how was your day?” - try something a little more open ended. “Tell me something good that happened today” gives your child the opportunity to focus on the positive during their reflection and respond with a specific moment from their day. Other great check in prompts are “What is something that made you laugh today?” or “Tell me a time you were proud of yourself today.” All of these prompts help children focus on points of positivity and pride from their school day. Rally Reader can help! We offer many books about discussing new experiences and feelings. To help your child build these skills, we recommend the following titles:

Unpacking Routines

At school, children often have designated areas where they keep their backpacks, lunchboxes, water bottles, and folders. Having a continuation of these routines at home builds continuity with their school day and gives your children responsibility over their own belongings. This routine may look like children having a designated area for backpacks, unpacking their own lunch boxes, or bringing their folders to a designated homework area. 

Snack Time

As the school day is long and tiring, children often come home hungry. Perhaps the most effective way to ensure your child makes the most of their after school hours is by making snack time a part of your daily routine. Including your child in the preparation of snacks is a surefire way to get them to eat what’s on the menu. 

Homework/Independent Reading

Children may also come home from school overwhelmed by expectations and dreading homework assignments. Having a dedicated time and place for homework with limited distractions can help children get their homework done. Having this designated space can also ensure children maintain their focus and can separate work from play. In addition to their assigned work, it is important for children to have time for independent reading. Rally Reader’s built-in digital reading coach helps your reader get the feedback they need during independent reading, while giving you peace of mind that they are receiving support.

Down Time/Activity

No matter how old and no matter how busy, downtime is arguably the most important part of any after-school routine. Whether your family is a fan of free play or prefers more structured activities, kids need time to just be kids. Rally Reader’s bookstore offers many titles that support creativity and growth! We included some of our favorites here, from sewing to meditation:


After school routines may feel daunting, but they are meant to structure what you already do. These are educator-recommended suggestions, but no routine is one-size-fits-all.