*Mini Class video coming at the end
It has been over a year now since the COVID quarantine life started.
Do you have a routine now that you follow with your child?
Routine gives a structure to the day and helps us feel that we are in control of our lives. It doesn’t only apply to the adults but also to the children. Children feel more secure and calm when things around them are predictable.
Also if your child is starting school in a few years, you will be thinking about school readiness. Building a daily routine and trying to follow that can be a great starting point for school readiness.
How can you build a daily routine for a preschooler?
- Make a physical schedule chart.
Visual schedule makes things easier to understand for children. Even a short list of things can’t be hard for young children to visualize. When you have a physical schedule with every thing in order, children can see what comes after what and the “this after this” structure is easy to understand for children.
- Let your child fill her/his own schedule.
You want your child to really follow the schedule, therefore you have to give choices to your child and let her/him fill the day with things that s/he really wants to do. Give basic structure with things like washing/brushing teeth, breakfast, lunch, dinner and bath and let your child fill the rest of the day.
- Teach things that your child can do by herself/himself.
We want our children to be independent. For that, we should provide as many opportunities as possible for our children to do things independently. Discuss with your child and list things that your child can do by herself/himself. Those things can be easily added to the daily routine by your child. I also recommend teaching new things that your child currently can’t do by herself/himself and extend the “can-do” list.
- Help your child develop independence by letting her/him change things around on the schedule.
Things happen in life and some things have to be changed or rescheduled throughout the day. Or your child might change her/his mind and want to do things in different order. Having a little flexibility in daily routine can help children develop adaptability, and allowing your child to change things – in boundaries – according to her/his needs or interests can develop confidence and independence in her/him.
- Follow your (or you and your child’s) routine and be a good model for your child.
Children learn from their parents by observing and copying them. You probably know this well already. Show your child that you always try to follow your routine and that is a good thing for you and you love to do that.
- Repeat everyday to make it a habit.
If children don’t try to follow their routine everyday, it won’t stick to them.
One of the benefits of having a routine is having a place to go back and having a sense of stability in life. But if the routine doesn’t come readily to you, trying to go back to the routine will only add more stress to your day and it won’t be helpful.
It’s the same for children. Help your child to have a safe daily routine to go back to after whenever being out of balance by practicing it everyday.
Having a daily routine will not only benefit your child but also you. With the daily routine built and followed, you will be able to make sure that the important things are done on a daily basis and feel the sense of control in your busy mom life.
I have a challenge with this topic. If you feel like you need help with establishing a daily routine for you and your child, check the challenge page and join in my free challenge! I hope to be able to help busy moms to have control of their lives with children and be able to make time for themselves.💜
〰️〰️〰️
🦄 Do you want to learn about the daily schedule with Missangela?
🦄 Sit in a quiet space and replay this video!
Happy learning and quality time!
Missangela👩🏻🎀