Here we are on Day 3 of scheduling week, where we’re diving into all things scheduling. Here’s what our week is looking like:
Day 1 - The Big Picture
Day 2 - The Yearly Plan
Day 3 - The Weekly Schedule
Day 4 - The Daily Rhythm
Day 5 - Taking a Break
So far, we’ve conquered the big picture and the yearly plan. Now that you have a general sense of what your year is going to look like, it is time to sketch out your weekly rhythms. Again, with pencil.
Planning Your Week
Creating a weekly schedule that works for your family can take some figuring and will look different in every home, but don’t let it scare you! Start by printing out a blank week-long calendar, and add things in as you read this through. Here are important things to consider:
What are your already existing weekly commitments? Fill them in. This will give you the infrastructure to build the rest of your schedule around.
What are the parent’s work schedules?
What goals and plans have you committed to? (Refer to the yearly planning we did in the last post). How often do you need to work on them in order to reach them?
When are your Zoom classes?
Scheduled activities?
Activities Together: When is it most important for you to be more hands on?
What does your child need you to be there for?
When are you most available?
When is your child most alert? Are you early birds or night owls?
Zoom classes? (Some of our children NEED us close for these, or the time will not be productive.)
Independent Activities
What things will your children be learning on their own?
Online learning?
Zoom classes? (Some children can be independent for these.)
Music practice?
Reading time?
Writing?
Independent research?
Pursuing interests?
What are your rules around independent time? Be clear about this from the beginning. If, for example, there are screen time boundaries, determine what they are and have this discussion ahead of time to try to avoid conflict in the moment.
Physical Activity
This is just as important as the academic activities!
Morning walk, bike ride, family yoga, spontaneous jumping jacks, mini dance party, walking the dog, gardening...
If it’s on the schedule it makes it more likely to happen, BUT keeping it spontaneous works too. Read the room. When things start going south, physical activity is often the needed antidote.
Unscheduled time
Kids NEED unscheduled time!
Scheduling every minute of the day will backfire in myriad ways: resistance, tantrums, burnout…for both children and adults!
Some days, ALL the above scheduling plans will inevitably become days of only free time, so just know that is normal. Doctors appointments, sick days, just because days...it’s OK to take days off from what may be planned. In fact, “days off” don’t need to be seen as days off at all, as they are just as full of learning as the ones that are planned!
As you are writing in your weekly rhythm there will be aspects with more concrete start and end times (zoom classes, music lessons), and areas where there is wiggle room (lunch may not always happen at noon and on heavy grazing days may not happen at all!). Remember, this is about honing your routine rather than finding a strict schedule! Here is an example of Jessamyn’s weekly schedule from last year:
Remember that learning can happen any time, so if the week gets away from you there is no need to stress. Most likely, what made you drift from the schedule was full of its own type of learning and benefits! Family games and read alouds are great in the evenings. Dinner time and car rides are great times for dynamic family discussions. Listening to a book on tape while you fold clothes together is an efficient twofer. Weekends are often utilized for fun projects that didn't happen during the week. Adhering to the typical school year is also arbitrary, so don’t feel bound to that! I know we’ve said it already, but do what works best for you and your family.
We’re almost done! Tomorrow, let’s talk about creating a daily rhythm… see you there!
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