The Importance of Routine and Organization

You’ve probably heard before that students who embrace regular routines are more successful, organized and effective. Studies prove this to be true as well. Here is what some of the research says about the positive impact that routines at home can have on children’s school performance—drawing on studies recently completed:

• Reading routines help students develop early literacy skills and set the stage for continued enjoyment of reading into the school years.
• Family routines provide children with a model for structure.
• Family routines during the early childhood years get students involved in activities that contribute to vocabulary development and social skills building as well as academic achievement later on.
• A study showed that families with a stable, high level of commitment in rituals at home have children with higher scores on standard tests of academic achievement than children of families with a low level or decline in routine.
• In a study of children with divorced parents, regular bedtime predicted academic performance two years after the initial assessment.
• An early literacy study said that book-reading routines promote future academic success.

At Huntington Learning Center, our experience echoes these findings—we see every day that students are more organized and capable of achieving their goals when they know what to expect at home and in the classroom. Routines help children build independence, teaching them to set small goals and complete tasks. Through our work with thousands of children, we have found that:

• Structure and routines teach children responsibility and inspire them to take pride in and ownership of their work.
• Children who embrace routines and organization tend to do better in school.
• Routines teach children about self-discipline and working toward goals.
• Children who are empowered by parents and teachers to take primary responsibility for their daily tasks build the confidence to try new things without fear of failure.
• Consistency in the daily and homework routine helps children make the most of their time, leaving more time for hobbies, activities and socializing.
• Routines reduce anxiety about the unknown and help children feel safer in the classroom.
• At home, routines reinforce what teachers do in the classroom and help children understand that being organized saves time, minimizes stress and reduces unnecessary chaos.
• In the classroom, routines minimize disruptions and wasted time, making transitions from activity to activity smoother and easier.

Most parents know from experience that routines are a good thing, but the great news is that educational researchers and teachers alike agree. Continue to work on creating and upholding reliable routines for homework, study time and daily tasks and you’ll notice that your child is a more organized, efficient and happy student.

Huntington Learning Center drew from the article, “Family Routines and Rituals” in Infants & Young Children, Vol. 20, No. 4, for this article.

About Huntington

Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader.  Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams.  Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards.  Founded in 1977, Huntington’s mission is to give every student the best education possible.  Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com.