Summer is over and it’s time to go back to the grind. The whole ritual does not only affect the children, but the entire family as a whole. Sleep schedules have to be put into place and strictly adhered to, eating schedules redefined, homework and curfew rules, television, clothing”¦the list seems endless.

• Bedtimes. It seems that parents never get enough sleep while their children feel they get too much. After staying up late, enjoying the long days of summer it is time to create and enforce sleeping schedules. Be warned, for the majority this may not be easy but your efforts will be well worth it. You certainly don’t want to send a tired and cranky child off to a busy day at school. Try enforcing new routines two to three weeks prior to the beginning of a new school year. This should give everyone plenty of time to iron out the wrinkles, work through the arguments and adjust to a good night’s sleep in preparation for the busy days that lie ahead.

• primary goals, of an early childhood education program are to introduce students to literacy, to have them become beginning readers, to introduce them to mathematical skills and concepts so that they can have a good sense of numbers in the world around them, and to really just give them an understanding of their environment and those who they come in contact with. That is the goal of early childhood education.

• Eating schedules. During the summer do you find your family eating later and later? Or, perhaps family members have gotten into the habit of fending for themselves in order to adhere to their own active summer time social schedules? Now is the time to put an end to this. A family style, sit down dinner is in order and is a wonderful way for family members to be together and communicate events of the day. Also, keep in mind that lunch is rarely served at noontime in school. It may be a good idea to schedule your meals at home earlier in the day as well.