How to create an effective after school routine

The first day of school is a real milestone for any child. Here's our guide on how to prepare your child – and yourself – for what lies ahead, discover our top tips for the first day of school.

After school routine ideas

There are two key issues that parents really need to focus on and anticipate for a successful after school routine - hunger and tiredness! Any after school routines that don't include a snack of some sort are doomed from the start. The same goes for routines that don't respect the fact that a child will be mentally exhausted after a full day's learning so need a chance to wind down.

Here are some brilliant ideas to include in your after school routine to keep everyone happy and calm, with options for children of all types, plus ideas from real mums in our MadeForMums Community, who have successfully navigated the after school period many times themselves.

Take a healthy snack for pick up

Most children leave school ravenous, which can quickly manifest itself in the grumps! A banana, a mini box of dried fruit or a low-sugar cereal bar should fill the hole without filling them up too much before tea. Don't forget something to drink, too.

Walk home if you can

The school day can totally wipe a Reception/P1 child out and it's not unusual for them to beg for a push home in the buggy if you're going home on foot, or to fall asleep in the car if you're driving. Both of these are fine, of course, but actually a walk home in the fresh air, if they can manage it, can work wonders as a mood booster – and give you a chance to have a nice chat. If your child's really not keen, you could try bringing along a scooter with a pull and carry handle, like this one from Micro Scooter, when you pick them up. Then, if they get tired scooting home, you could pull/tow them the rest of the way.

Go to the park/ do something physical

So, actually, not all children crawl exhausted from the classroom; some emerge with a ton of pent-up energy to burn off. If that's your child, ignore it at your peril! A good, long race or bike or scoot around the park on your way home is usually the best call or let them loose on the trampoline or in the garden with play equipment once you get home.

"We usually always go to the park round the corner from my daughter's school," says Allana. "I’ve found letting her have that time of freedom before going home means her mood is a lot better!"

Use an after school routine chart

It can be hard for children to go from the tight structure of school to the sudden freedom of being at home. The lack of clear concise instructions and knowing what exactly is expected of them can lead to bad behaviour. If your child loves to know what's coming next and responds well to structured activities, then consider using a chart that they have to tick themselves. Tasks could include things like:

• putting their shoes away
• washing their hands
• having a snack
• doing their homework
• playtime

This means they won't be surprised by any tasks you suddenly ask them to do and enter into a power struggle.

We've put together a free chart above that you can download here and use each day with your child after school.

"I made some before and after school routine cards when my daughter started in Reception last year to help her with routine order and expectations," says Katie. "For example, walk/drive home, bag and coat away, get changed, snack, homework, play, tea, bathroom, bed. She was so tired when she came home, the structure seemed to help. We'll probably use them again in September to help her adjust back."

Unpack school bags as soon as you get in

Always check their bag after school for notes from the teacher and possibly toys or other items that have been 'borrowed' from school/classmates. The earlier you find either, the better!

Do homework/ reading at the same time each day

From the moment they start school, children are encouraged to do around 5 minutes of reading a day and as they move up the years more homework will come home. It's a good idea to have a set routine from day one around homework to avoid the inevitable whining. Decide what works for your family/ child when it comes to homework. Straight after their snack? After dinner? After a bit of play? Then stick to your timings.

Some Reception/P1 children might be so overwhelmed and tired from their day that reading is just an activity too far. Consider getting them up five minutes earlier before school and doing it with them over breakfast when they're feeling much fresher instead.

Let them have some down time

Once children have had the chance to let out any pent up energy, have full tummies again and have done their homework, it's a good idea to give them a bit of mental downtime by creating time for an easy sedentary activity like colouring or reading a book, watching TV or using an electronic device.

Don't beat yourself up for giving them screen time at this point, it will allow you to get dinner ready and, depending on the programme, can be a useful tool for calming kids down. And, you can use it as a treat to reward them for doing their homework nicely. Just be sure to stipulate from the off exactly how long your child is allowed, to avoid any stress when you turn the TV off.

"When we get home, the TV goes on whilst I cook dinner," says Tanya. "They're both tired and this is for my sanity otherwise I have 2 screaming kids round my ankles."

Top tips for implementing your after school routine

Don't demand a blow by blow account of their day

Yes, we know, you're dying to know what they've been up to at school but, though some children love describing their day in incredible detail, most will react to a hardly-out-the-school-gates "What did you do today?" quizzing with not much more than a mumbled "Nothing!" You'll probably get a lot more out of them if you leave your questions till a little later, when they've had a snack and some time to chill out.

Expect not-so-nice behaviour

Don't take it personally if they're less than angelic when you first get home. They've had to be on good behaviour all day, so they kind of let loose when they're with you.

Try not to overdo the post-school social life...

Don't rush headlong into the after-school play-date thing. As much as you want your child to make friends and be popular, it can become overwhelming in those early days when there's already so much to adjust to. One or two playdates a term is plenty.

...or the after-school clubs

Just because your school offers judo, country dancing and Mandarin, it doesn't mean you have to sign your child up for them all at once! They've many terms ahead of them to enjoy all the after-school activities; spend the initial months letting them unwind at home doing something familiar, like watching a favourite TV show or messing about with their toys.

Have supper early

Remember the days when your toddler would fall asleep in their mushed-up meals? Well, it's not unheard of for a knackered Reception/P1 newbie to doze off in front of their fish fingers, either. It's definitely worth considering dishing up dinner half an hour or so earlier than usual for a few weeks at least.

Prep for tomorrow before bed

Get your child into the habit of hanging out tomorrow's uniform before they go to bed. And putting whatever else they need for tomorrow – PE kit, toy for 'show and tell', signed consent forms – in their school bag. Your mornings will thank you for it.

Respect the age of your child

We know those golden hours in the evening when the kids are asleep are really precious for a bit of adult time as well as the only time to get any jobs around the house done, so it can be very tempting to try and get all children to bed at the same time.

However, if you have different age children, for example school-age children as well as preschoolers, it's nice to carve out a little extra time for your eldest once the little one's asleep. Giving them a bit of independence such as a five-minute play in their room before bed or the chance to come downstairs for their story makes them feel grown-up, gives you some special time together and helps avoid any going-to-bed meltdowns after school.

Pic: Getty Images

Read more:

• Top tips for the first day of school
• Brilliant books to read with your child before starting school
• School uniforms tried and tested by families