Making Routines Stick Beyond September - Setting up the Environment

So far in our Making Routines Stick Beyond September series, we’ve focused on setting shared expectations and building supportive tools like checklists. But even with those pieces in place, the daily flow can still feel off. Sometimes the biggest barrier isn’t differing expectations or the tools themselves—it’s the environment.

It’s easy to overlook this piece, which is why we wanted to share some practical ways to set up your space so it supports the routines you’ve worked hard to establish.

The “ideal environment” looks different for everyone. For some, it might be a bustling spot in the kitchen with soft music and the energy of others nearby. For others, it’s a quiet space by the window, fresh air, noise-cancelling headphones, and maybe a piece of gum to chew. While every setup will look unique, everyone benefits from an environment designed with intention.

Creating a Homework-Friendly Environment

Let’s take homework time as an example and use the classic “wh” questions to design a space that promotes focus and productivity.

Where will homework get done

Consistency is key. Having a dedicated, predictable spot for homework supports routine and helps signal “it’s time to focus”.

As you think about where, consider whether your child returns to a particular place that seems to center or energize them. It might be worth mentioning - I seem to always find you curled up on the couch to do your reading, what about that space feels so good to you?

As you finalize where homework will happen, talk through the pros and cons. The bedroom might seem ideal until you realize how many distractions are within reach. 

Ask curious questions like, “Is this a space that helps you focus?”

What will be in the space?

Take a moment to walk through the space as it is now, as you do, consider what might make homework time harder than it needs to be.

To do so, try sitting quietly for two minutes and use your senses to take in the environment. What do you notice? What might get in the way of your child settling in, staying focused, or feeling motivated to do homework?? Not enough light, missing supplies, a wobbly desk, the sound of a ticking clock, or maybe the smell of trash that needs to be taken out?

As you work to decide what stays and goes, ask curious questions like, “What small changes could make this space work better for you?”

Encourage your child to personalize their space to build ownership and buy-in. Offer guidance, as needed, to leave out distractions or temptations.

Who will be in the space?

Does your child work best independently, or do they benefit from body doubling—having someone else quietly working nearby?

If competition or distraction between siblings is common, consider separate spaces or staggered homework times.

When will the environment be used?

If homework happens at the kitchen table, it probably shouldn’t overlap with dinner prep or piano lessons in the next room.

Consistent timing helps the brain anticipate and prepare for work. Try setting a daily homework window that aligns with your child’s natural energy peaks.

How will the space be maintained?

Once the novelty of a new setup fades, upkeep becomes key.

Create a plan that fits your family, maybe a Friday night reset before the weekend or a Sunday evening refresh before the week begins. Decide what the reset includes, when it happens, and how everyone helps maintain it.

A Personal Reflection

When I think back to my own homework days, my spot was always the kitchen table. I liked the big surface, bright light fixture and easy access to our family whiteboard. I’d spread everything out, grab a crunchy snack, sit facing the window and dive in.

But I learned quickly: I needed quiet. Even the sound of a sigh from across the table would throw me off. So I started working alone. If I needed help, I’d go find it, but the space itself stayed mine. It became my little bubble of focus and calm.

The only sounds were my own quiet mutters as I worked through a math problem or tried to organize a paragraph. 

Looking back, I realize how different my siblings and I were. I needed silence. My sister needed music. My brother worked best on the living room floor with our dog beside him.

The difference wasn’t about who was “right.” It was about what our brains and bodies needed to feel ready to work.

At the time, I didn’t realize how much those small things—light, sound, space—shaped my focus. But as adults, we can help kids notice those cues earlier.

That’s the insight I try to share with families now: Every child has their own version of “the kitchen table.” Helping them discover what that looks and feels like is one of the most powerful ways to make routines stick, long past September.