We are often asked, “Why are you counting my child tardy, we’re only late by five minutes?” Or, “Does five minutes really make a difference?” Truly, missing those few minutes of instructional time in the morning is a bigger deal than it seems.
First, think back to a time when you were late for something, how did you feel? You probably felt rushed, disheveled, and stressed. So, how do you think a child feels when he is late for school?
Those simple five or ten minutes can throw off a child’s entire day. Think about it…a child who is late 10 minutes every day of the school year will miss 30 hours of school time. So, those 10 minutes add up very quickly. Not to mention, if a child is 10 minutes late, she really missed about 20 minutes of instruction by the time she unpacks and settles into class.
Of course, being late is inevitable at times, because things can happen to all of us. However, if your child is late one or more times per week, then let’s look at some things you can adjust to ensure a successful start to your day.
- Pack backpacks and lunchboxes the night before. This way, you won’t be hunting for lost homework or other items, last minute.
- In addition, lay clothes out the night before. Be sure to include socks and shoes, because it really saves precious time in the morning.
- Set any items the kids may need for school in a “last stop” area. This way, they can easily grab their backpacks, lunchboxes, coats, band instruments, or anything else they many need for the day.
- Play upbeat music in the mornings. This simple adjustment can get people moving a little quicker, and it may even put the family in a positive mood.
- If need be, wake up earlier. This is probably the most obvious tip, but sometimes it can make the biggest difference.
We always want our students to be at school on time, so they have a great day with their teachers and their friends. It sets a great tone for the day and leads to more success!
