I’m sure you have heard this so many times in the past but what is the deal with routines? Why are they so important to children? Why is there so much emphasis on them?

First, let me ask you this: Have you ever noticed you get hungry at a certain time? That you do certain things in order, like how you get ready for bed or your shower routine? That you take a certain route to work everyday? If you answered yes to any of those questions; you have routines to thank for that!

Routines are beneficial to adults and children alike. Our children thrive on predictability of their day and night. Predictability and routine can bring comfort to a child. It can reduce stress and anxiety knowing what task or activity is happening next, in a certain order, rather than having to guess or having activities change on a daily basis.

Even from infancy, routines are important. Routines train the body’s systems for eating, sleeping, wake time, etc. At birth, your baby will not have a predictable routine as the part of the brain that regulates their sleep and wake schedule won’t start to develop until around three months of age and not fully be developed until around six months.

A routine is established based on your family and your activities and tasks. Each family’s routine will be different. It’s best to find a routine that benefits everyone. As your child gets older, they will be able to carry out certain routines by themselves which develops their independence.

There are different types of routines including morning routines, afternoon routines (or after school), mealtime routines, bedtime routines, chore routines, bathroom routines, and homework routines. In each one of these routines, there should be repetitive and predictable tasks in each one.

For example, your child’s morning routine may look like this:

Get up, make bed.
Eat breakfast.
Brush teeth and hair.
Get dressed.
Get shoes and coat on.
Walk to school.

Your child’s bedtime routine may look like this:

Brush teeth.
Get pajamas on.
Put away toys.
Get settled in bed.
Storytime and cuddles.
Lights out.

Create a routine chart that your child can see (at eye level). Pinterest has a lot of great ideas if you are stuck! Provide pictures for little ones and pictures and words for older children. This can help them see the next task but can also promote independence (learning to get dressed, comb their hair or brush their teeth on their own). Let them be apart of the planning a routine! Let them decide in which order they want to complete morning routine tasks. Give them choices with tasks whenever possible. Routines make family life a lot easier. There is less planning which in turn can reduce family stress. Stick with these routines as much as possible.

With the help of routines, you may even find some undesired behaviours (whining, tantrums, etc.) will be reduced or disappear. Establishing routines with young children takes consistency and patience, but with time, they will become a much appreciated change for everyone.

Written by Paula Dibbits, RECE, Parent Support Educator

Cheers to Routines!