Get your children to school on time

Getting children to school on time is part of their eduction for life – they won't be able to stroll up for work half an hour late every day, and students may find they are barred from entering a lecture if more than five or ten minutes late. So what do you do to instil punctuality?

Children need to know at an early age that punctuality – for any event – is a given. If you're late for football the match will have started. A ballet class won't wait for those who straggle in five of ten minutes late.

Being late is disruptive not just for the child concerned but for all the other children in the class, and disrespectful to the teacher so it really is imperative to instil punctuality as the norm.

When your child is at primary school it is likely she or he will be accompanied at least during the first years so if you are the one taking them to school you too have to be organised and punctual especially if you are going on to work.

Secondary school pupils

Many pupils travel some distance to their secondary school and if they rely on public transport they may find they are inadvertently late due to traffic conditions, full buses or cancelled trains.

• Encourage them to leave enough time to allow for hold-ups – it is better to arrive at school early and have time for socialising than to arrive late and perhaps get a detention.
• Always have an alternative route – make sure your child is aware of all the travel options to school and is able to make an informed decision.
• In order to leave the house on time, ensure children acquire the habit of packing their school bag, having what they need for the next day, ready the night before.
• Don't let children become distracted by TV, computers, smart phones etc in the morning and lead by example.
• As children become teens they need more sleep and may find it difficult to wake up on time. Make sure they are not watching TV, using computers or smart phones at night-time and ensure they wind down and get to bed early enough to get the rest they require.