Setting a Routine with a Preschooler
Starting the day feeling like you’re two steps behind is not a good way to start the day, especially with children. Not only do little ones pick up on the frantic feelings, but they are bottomless pools of energy that can be difficult to keep up with on a good day, let alone a day that you already feel is leaving you in the dust. Having a solid morning routine will help lay the foundation for a good day, and in keeping with it daily it will set the expectation and cycle into motion that will eventually make it second nature to complete—helping everyone get out of the house in a peace and on time. Well, as much peace as you can have with a fully energized preschooler.
Morning Routines with preschoolers don’t need to be complicated and can hold expectations that suit your child’s developmental level, as well as challenge them to grow beyond what they think they’re capable of.
The How-to Tips
1. Set a consistent wake up time
A consistent sleep and wake time helps set circadian rhythms for both children and adults. With a solid rhythm, it is easier to wind down or wake up—making for easier transitions and better optimal functioning. An article from the American Academy of Pediatrics declares that consistency is key when adjusting to a sleep schedule.
We are up and at ‘em early here at Chester Child Development Center! We open at 6:30 AM and are ready for your little one!
2. Keep the same schedule daily
Going right along with circadian rhythms and consistent sleep/wake times, a consistent and predictable schedule is a major player in the making of a morning routine. Doing the same handful of activities daily at around the same time is especially helpful for preschool-aged-children. Through repetition your preschooler can learn what is expected, leading them to develop the self-motivation to continue the routine without promptings. Much like a child learns to help put their arms through the sleeves of a shirt, they can grow accustomed to a morning routine if the proper expectations are set through repetition.
We would love to be part of your schedule here at Chester CDC! Schedule a tour today!
3. Create a visual aid
Have a friend or sibling take pictures of your preschooler actually doing the different items from their routine: brushing teeth, eating breakfast, etc. Turn these into a picture-based list to show your little one exactly what is expected of them next. If this seems to be too much, symbols of the different tasks would work excellent, too. Preschool-aged children often love the opportunity to show that they are growing and becoming more independent, and a morning routine they can follow and even keep track of themselves is an excellent start. An article from Parents.com emphasizes that the key to fostering independence in children is to actively and confidently allow them to be independent.
Schedule a tour here at Chester CDC and ask our teachers how they help with transitions and maintain schedules within their early childhood education classrooms!
4. Prepare the night before
The still hours once the hubbub of the day is complete can be very precious and motivation to do anything short of resting is akin to climbing Everest for many tired preschool parents. However, taking 10-15 minutes to breakfast, lunch, or simply gather bags and papers for the next can greatly influence the morning to come. If this feels too daunting, going as far as to set a timer and prepare all you can within 15 minutes and then allowing yourself to sit and rest can still have a great impact. A funny, yet, true phrase to offer further encouragement is: “’Tomorrow you” will thank you”
Call today to schedule a tour and chat about how we can serve your family through excellent childcare and learning.
5. Make mornings enjoyable
While often the simple and necessary reality, it can be hard to scramble to run out the door every morning. Not only is it physically difficult, but it can often feel taxing on relationships. When looking at creating a morning routine, if time allows, find a fun activity that can be squeezed in among the chaos. Family animal stretching after breakfast, a quick puzzle, silly music in the kitchen or a fun guessing game in the car are all excellent examples. Taking time to add an enjoyable piece to your morning routine will not only make it more fun, but it will also encourage bonding and can make the routine easier to implement and maintain.
TIP: If adding something ‘fun’ into your routine is too much off-the-bat, wait to incorporate something new after you have a solid routine established and you’re less concerned about all needs being met before zooming out the door.
6. Encourage, Encourage, Encourage
Becky Bailey, the creator of Conscious Discipline asserts that the skill of encouragement helps parents/caregivers/teachers shift from making children do something to helping them be successful. (source) Preschoolers are learning and growing in their independence by leaps and bounds and relish being recognized for their accomplishments. As you initiate a new routine and expectations, words of praise can be so simple and yet touch a child’s heart. Praise such as “I see that you put on your shoes all by yourself. That was such a big job and so helpful!” offers both recognition and also points to the fact that their actions benefited others, as well.
Here at Chester CDC we truly value your little one and their accomplishments. If there’s something our early childhood teachers can praise your little one for, let us know and we would be more than happy to celebrate them!
Starting the Day Right
Beginning the day with a positive spin sets everyone up for success. While a morning routine may feel daunting to implement, it can have a lasting effect on the day. Apart from making life easier in many ways, a solid morning routine can remove the stress that often plagues mornings. Instead, mornings can be an opportunity to strengthen bonds and will help leave your preschooler feeling secure and ready for a day of learning and growing.
We here at Chester Childhood Development Center would delight in the opportunity to be part of your morning routine. Schedule a tour today and see what we have to offer your family!