Establish Effective Back-To-School Routines

Establish Effective Back-To-School Routines

By NAfME Member Lori Schwartz Reichl

“It’s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.” — Meister Eckhart

This summer, I launched The Confidence Camp to empower children with the tools and mindset they need to build confidence, achieve their goals, and grow into everything they dream of becoming. But children don’t just need education, resources, and strategies for building confidence—they need role models.

Confidence starts with us. As leaders—whether at home, in classrooms, or in communities—we must set the example. Confidence doesn’t happen by chance. It’s cultivated through consistent habits and intentional daily routines. If we’re not modeling those habits ourselves, how can we expect those who look up to us—our children, students, or colleagues—to understand how to build and sustain these routines?

With the hustle and bustle of the start of the new school year behind us, take a moment to reflect: How are you modeling routines in your own life?

Why Routines Matter

The most chaotic times in my home or teaching space are when I fall out of my own routines. Without that model, my children or students lose their rhythm as they have no example to follow. At camp, I witnessed how powerful routines become when practiced together—just like in a classroom or music ensemble.

In exploring routines, I found inspiration from Hal Elrod, best-selling author of The Miracle Morning. After reading his book, I reached out—and Hal graciously agreed to an interview for Episode #68 Rise and Shine for a Miracle Morning of the MAKING KEY CHANGES podcast. In our conversation, Hal shared a simple yet powerful morning routine designed to help anyone start the day with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

We also transformed this episode into a video—making it a valuable and accessible resource for both adults and children to watch. It’s full of practical tools for personal growth and intentional living.

Hal emphasizes that how we begin our day sets the tone for everything that follows. A purposeful morning routine can dramatically improve our mindset, productivity, and well-being.

Set the Tone with Your Morning Routine

Has your morning routine changed with the new school year?

For many of us, it’s a time of earlier wake-ups, busier schedules, and the challenge of juggling family, work, and after-school activities.

That’s why Hal’s S.A.V.E.R.S. method is so powerful. It’s a simple structure that anyone—children and adults alike—can follow to feel more grounded, confident, and prepared for the day ahead.

So, what is the S.A.V.E.R.S. Method? Well, each letter represents something different you can do each morning:

• S – Silence: Begin with stillness, meditation, or prayer.
• A – Affirmations: Speak empowering “I am” statements.
• V – Visualization: Imagine yourself achieving goals.
• E – Exercise: Move your body, even briefly.
• R – Reading: Feed your mind with something inspiring.
• S – Scribing: Journal your thoughts, goals, or gratitude.

How might you implement S.A.V.E.R.S. in your own routine—and with those you love, serve, or lead? Whether practiced fully or in small steps, its impact can be profound—at home, in the classroom, or beyond.

The 5 Key Changes for Better Mornings

With the new school year underway, here are five key changes that have made mornings smoother for me and my family:

Key Change #1: Start the Night Before
A smooth morning begins with a calm evening. Lay out clothes, prep lunches, and review your schedule before bedtime to reduce morning stress.

Key Change #2: Wake Up Earlier
Creating a calm buffer between waking and rushing out the door makes a huge difference—even if it is just 10 minutes. Use those extra minutes for quiet, reflection, or connection.

Key Change #3: Include the Whole “Team”
Make morning routines a shared experience. Encourage children to design their own mini-routines. Ownership builds independence and confidence.

Key Change #4: Use Visual Schedules
Simple charts or checklists keep everyone on track and reduce decision fatigue.

Key Change #5: Lead with Intention, Not Perfection
Consistency matters more than perfection. Even one mindful habit can shift the entire day.

A Fresh Beginning

The start of a school year feels like a fresh chapter filled with new responsibilities and opportunities for growth. By modeling intentional routines, we not only prepare ourselves—we show those around us how to thrive. Confidence, discipline, and self-care become contagious when practiced daily.

Here’s to trusting the magic of beginnings, one confident morning at a time.

🎧 Listen to episode #82 Establish Effective Back-to-School Routines of the MAKING KEY CHANGES podcast for more insights.

📩 To explore how this work can support your school or organization, visit: MakingKeyChanges.com.

About the author:

NAfME member Dr. Lori Schwartz Reichl is the visionary behind MAKING KEY CHANGES, LLC, a platform devoted to mentorship and motivation. A former public school music educator (2001–2016), Lori transformed classrooms through leadership and creativity—principles she now shares globally as an author, podcaster, speaker, and consultant.

She has designed and delivered hundreds of keynotes and professional learning sessions in more than half of the states in the nation and has guest-conducted over 50 honor bands. Lori teaches two graduate courses developed from her experience, and her MAKING KEY CHANGES podcast and newsletter offer weekly, actionable insights for growth. Her monthly articles for the National Association for Music Education consistently rank among the most accessed nationwide. In 2025, she launched The Confidence Camp—a unique, week-long experience that helps children discover their voice, believe in themselves, and uplift others.

Rooted in a career of transformation, Lori helps individuals, teams, and organizations create meaningful change. Having overcome challenges in her own journey, she is passionate about helping others refine habits, focus passions, and unlock potential—in collaboration with those they love, serve, and lead.

Learn more about Dr. Lori Schwartz Reichl at MakingKeyChanges.com. Subscribe to her MAKING KEY CHANGES weekly newsletter and listen to her weekly podcast.

Did this blog spur new ideas for your music program? Share them on Connect! Interested in reprinting this article? Please review the reprint guidelines.

The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) provides a number of forums for the sharing of information and opinion, including blogs and postings on our website, articles and columns in our magazines and journals, and postings to our Connect member portal. Unless specifically noted, the views expressed in these media do not necessarily represent the policy or views of the Association, its officers, or its employees.