Children Need Routines
Stress-free Mornings, Personal Responsibility and Relaxing Bedtimes
Sep 7, 2008
The comforting aspect of a routine helps soothe many children to sleep at bedtime, gets them ready for school in the morning and teaches self-responsibility. Routines also help parents stay in control and keep the home and family running smoothly.
The Stress-Free Morning Routine
In homes everywhere, the morning is often rush hour. Everyone needs to get up, get ready for work, school or daycare and be out of the house by a certain time. Without a routine, it’s easy for children to get lost in the shuffle.
Children need to know what is expected of them to get ready for the day. Here are some things a parent can do to establish a morning routine for children.
- Make a list of morning duties for children. Include getting dressed, eating breakfast, brushing teeth, putting shoes on and anything else that is important for a successful morning in your home. Use either words, pictures or both for the list, depending on whether or not your child is reading.
- Prepare for the morning by getting clothes out and backpacks packed the night before. Young children will need a parent’s help, but older children should be able to handle this task on their own.
Routines to Teach Personal Responsibility
Children need to learn how to take care of their own hygiene needs and to be responsible for their own belongings. These types of routines don’t need to be complicated, but they will help eliminate the power struggle that can easily arise between parents and children over issues like toothbrushing and bathing.
- Incorporate hygiene tasks into the bedtime and morning routines.
- Have a set night for baths or showers. For example, Monday and Thursday night can be designated the bath nights.
- Keep bath toys, special towels and other necessities in the same place. After bath time, make it a part of the routine to put these things back where they belong so that they are easily found the next time.
- Likewise, place shoes, jackets and backpacks in the same place every day. Putting these things away in the proper place should be a regular routine for children as they come home.
Relaxing Bedtime Routines
Bedtime can be the most stressful part of the day or the most relaxing. An established routine is essential to bedtime harmony. Children will often balk at going to bed, but if the bedtime routine includes connection time with the parent, then bedtime will generally go smoothly.
Bedtime routines should start at roughly the same time each day. More important than the time is the sequence of events. Children can relax when a familiar, comforting routine follows the same pattern every evening.
Familiar routines are helpful for both parents and children alike. Morning routines are essential to get the day started and get everyone out the door on time and in a good mood. Routines that help establish personal hygiene and responsibility will teach children how to take care of themselves and give them healthy, lifelong habits. Bedtime routines will relax the children and help them settle into sleep easily each night.
