Do your children love to know what is coming next? Does your toddler or preschooler ask you what is going to happen each day? When you can give them a tentative schedule, do they react when things get switched around? What are the benefits of having a routine or schedule for your little ones’ days? Can it really help alleviate tantrums and keep moods more even?
Almost everyone, not just toddlers and preschoolers, thrives on having some sort of flow or routine to their day. Think about the first things you do when you wake up. You stretch, make coffee or tea, read the paper, eat breakfast, etc. you have a flow and rhythm to your day. Your little ones will benefit and appreciate that to their mornings and days as well.
What do you mean by a daily routine?
Do I have to be locked into a strict time schedule?
A morning routine for you toddlers can be simple. It doesn’t need to be ruled by the clock, rather it can be a series of events that happen every day in the same order. Some children like the extra reinforcement of time slots, but most will do well with a morning flow.
How does a daily routine benefit my children?
*having a daily flow will help your child to feel safe. They will know what to expect and feel secure in what is happening each day.
*a routine helps you child to understand the importance of time management.
*a routine will help your child make daily habits {chores and hygiene}
What do we include in our daily routine?
Anything you normally do can be included in your child’s daily flow. Here are some examples: brushing teeth, combing hair, getting dressed, making the bed, coloring, playing with playdough, free play, naptime, snack time, etc.
A simple morning flow:
Wakeup
Cuddle
Eat breakfast
Watch a show
Get dressed
Brush teeth, comb hair, etc
Play with legos or cars
Pick up toys
Color or paint
Read a book or two
Snacktime
Free play
Clean up
Lunchtime
This schedule or flow might be too much for some toddlers, so you could take away some activities. If it wasn’t structured enough for you then you could add in some approximate times for each activity.
7 AM Wakeup
Cuddle
7:15 Breakfast
Get dressed and do hygiene
7:45 Watch a show
8:15-8:30 Play with legos or cars
How will having a schedule for your toddler or preschooler benefit you, the parent?
*it will give you distinct blocks of time to play with your child, to accomplish some housecleaning or work that needs to be done.
*having a routine for your child will allow you to have a better flow to your days.
If you are interested in learning more about creating a schedule or flow for your littles ones here are some articles that you may be interested in:
Why Routine and Structure Benefits Your Toddler
http://www.kidspot.com.au/Toddler-Development-Why-routine-and-structure-benefits-your-toddler+5972+26+article.htm
Keep a Daily Schedule
http://www.wikihow.com/Keep-to-a-Daily-Schedule
Establishing Toddler Routines
http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/development/social/establishing-toddler-routines/
Why Kids Need Routines
http://www.ahaparenting.com/parenting-tools/family-life/structure-routines
Do you have a daily schedule or flow for your toddler? Can you share with us what it looks like? How do you feel it benefits your littles and/or yourself?
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