The path to school success starts at home. Studies have shown how academic performance is affected by such factors as sleep, diet, obesity and parental support. That means that students who live in homes where healthy habits, regular routines, and good communication exist have academically better chance of success. That’s why it’s so important to get your kids started on the right foot to face the day. Here are some tips on devising a game plan to get kids ready for the world every morning.

A good beginning actually starts with a good ending. Since everyone is usually in a time crunch in the mornings, head off stress-inducing problems by taking care of as much as you can the night before. “At the same time you check your child’s homework, find out any special requirements for the next day, like money needed for a school trip, signing a permission slip or bringing in a show and tell object,” says Cassandra M. Clay, a clinical social worker in private practice in Boston and clinical professor emeritus at Boston University School of Social Work. “Invariably, children wait until five minutes before heading out the door to tell us about these needs.”

The night before is also a good time to choose an outfit to wear the next day, and to make sure it’s clean, pressed and appropriate for the weather. “It promotes parent/child time together working on a task, supports collaboration and allows children to have a voice in choosing their clothes,” says Clay. And if there’s going to be a battle over what they wear, it’s better to have it out when you’re not under the gun.

Make sure your kids are getting enough shut-eye. Too often parents get worn down by their kids’ nagging to “stay up just a little later, please” to hold firm on that early bedtime.

Get in a groove. Do away with manic Mondays and general morning craziness by establishing a schedule and sticking to it. “A routine provides children with a sense of security, reduces anxiety and reduces conflict between siblings and between kids and parents,” says Clay. “It’s also a great opportunity to allow children to develop planning, organization and coping skills.”

Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. Choosing a healthy breakfast every day can help kids stay more focused and do better in school. “Provide healthy breakfast food choices both for when there’s time for a sit-down meal and when they have to eat quickly or while in transit,” says Clay. “It’s also important to involve your children in the decision making about the types of healthy breakfast foods they most enjoy and therefore most likely to eat.”

Tune out. Research has shown that television viewing can have a negative impact on school performance. Time spent watching television is time not spent reading, studying, doing homework and being physically active. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under the age of two not watch TV or videos at all, and that older children watch only one to two hours per day.

Be engaging. Showing an interest in what your children are studying and their school activities sends a powerful message that education is important. “In the mornings, ask them questions like, what are you most looking forward to today? What are you most dreading about today? What could make this a good day for you,” suggests Clay.

Promote peace. Whether it’s disagreements over whose turn it is in the bathroom or getting the side-eye from your pre-teen when he doesn’t like what you’ve made for his bag lunch, conflicts are bound to come up when parents and children are under time pressure. Try not to let it escalate into a full-scale battle. “This does not mean that a parent is to ignore troubling behaviors but every attempt should be made to avoid major conflicts in the morning when there is little time to talk through a problem or come to a resolution,” says Clay. “The goal is to have children go to school nourished both physically and emotionally.”

Send them off with a hug. “If a conflict cannot be avoided, it’s important to tell a child before leaving for school ‘I know we are upset with each other right now, but I still love you and we can work this out later,’” notes Clay.