Daily routines help young children feel safe and secure. They learn what to expect from each day, and learn that there is a time for everything--time for eating, time for school work and time for play.
As a teacher, you should try to do the same general thing every day. You may want to post a sign in your classroom with pictures to help students understand what their day will look like. Encourage parents to establish a daily routine at home as well.
Writing things down can help you to remember them. When young students use a daily planner, it helps them keep track of homework assignments.
Have all students use a daily planner and also use the planner as a way to communicate with parents. For example, you can have students write a reminder to bring in permission slip forms for a field trip. Communicate openly with parents at the beginning of the school year about your plans for the planner. When parents know that you will always make the students write homework assignments down, parents can double check if a child says he has no homework.
Rewards can be a great way to motivate young students. Help keep students on task by creating a reward system that recognizes students that have good time-management skills.
For example, offer a reward to students that turn in homework on time. Or, reward a student with free time after she gets her work done.