BRANDON, MB — The Brandon School Division and Prairie Mountain Health are encouraging families to establish healthy routines at home with the release of a new Back-to-School Family Routine Playbook. The resource is designed to help parents and students navigate the busy school year while supporting learning, sleep, physical activity and overall well-being.
The guide highlights how simple, predictable routines can make family life easier during a time of year often filled with homework, extracurricular activities, sports, music lessons and other commitments. According to the playbook, consistent habits can help reduce stress, improve sleep, support academic success and encourage healthier technology use.
The playbook is built around five key areas: learning, sleep, movement, nutrition and connection. Suggested strategies include establishing regular homework and reading routines, preparing backpacks the night before, maintaining consistent bedtimes and creating device charging stations outside bedrooms. Families are also encouraged to incorporate physical activity into daily routines, prioritize healthy breakfasts and snacks, and make time for regular family meals and check-ins.
Technology habits are another major focus of the guide. Recommendations include keeping meals screen-free, turning off notifications during homework time, limiting recreational screen use, and shutting down devices at least one hour before bedtime. The playbook also encourages parents to model healthy digital habits for their children.
The resource recognizes that technology expectations should evolve as children grow. It offers age-specific recommendations for elementary, middle years and high school students, including guidance on device use, social media discussions and encouraging self-management among older students.
Source: Brandon School Division
In addition to practical tips, the playbook includes a Family Routines Challenge and a Household Routine Agreement, allowing families to set goals together and identify shared priorities around learning, sleep, movement and connection.
The Back-to-School Family Routine Playbook is available online through the Brandon School Division and Prairie Mountain Health and offers families a practical roadmap for building healthy habits throughout the school year
