Why & How- we can create a routine for early years children
Introduction
Many equate routines to autocratic discipline where things are done with precision and by the clock. That is indeed a very sobering thought, especially, in the context of modern parenting. However, routines bring structure to our daily lives and help us to be more organized. They do not have to be rigid and adhere to the time by the clock. Even somewhat relaxed routines help to contain the chaos of modern living. Routines for children, even the youngest infant, are beneficial to their growth.
Having a set pattern for the day is soothing to the child. However, just saying is not enough, in this article, we will examine why routines are important for the proper development of a child and how to create routines for children to follow at home and in school.
What is a Routine and how do we create a good routine in the early year's children?
Routines for early years children can be defined as a set of activities that are done in a set order at a regular time each day. Routines can be many different types but for this article, routine is used for day-to-day activities. Routines are not tied to time, they loosely follow the clock but the activities happen in more or less the same order every day. It is predictable, consistent, and familiar, and is important in the mental and physical development of a child. In the next part, we will learn why routines are important.
What is the Significance of a Routine for early year children's Lives?
A young child’s life is centered around his/her family and the primary caregivers. A well-established routine helps the family to be more organized. Each family member’s place in the family is well defined and everyone knows their duties in the family group if the routines are well established. Each member knows what to do; when to do; and how to do it. This gives a definite structure to the family and makes the family bonding stronger as each member contributes to the family routines in their own way.
When the family is well functioning and smooth-running, it naturally means that the child too will be well taken care of, loved, and fed. However, there are other ways too in which a properly established routine can help a child.
Helps to Set a Schedule and Create a Structure: From a very young age, a child needs proper schedules for eating, sleeping, playing, toilet, etc. When there is a routine, the child can adapt to the schedule more easily as it knows what to expect next. It makes the child easier to manage and less cranky.
Creates a Sense of Safety and Strengthens Relationships: A routine for early years children help to create an organized family and household. The predictability that comes with well-defined routines, helps to make a child feel secure and cared for. For younger children, it creates a safety net where they can relax and feel safe.
Creating a Routine for early years children
Instills a Lifetime of Good Habits: Routines help to establish good habits and encourage a child to maintain them throughout life. When there is no established routine it is easy for children to inculcate undesirable habits like sleeping late, not eating on time, too much time spent on computers, mobile phones, and other devices, etc. Routines help to keep these bad habits in check which may hamper with normal development and well-being of a child.
Helps Them to Be Independent: A routine for early years children is a way to make the child do the same thing over and over again until they learn it so well that they can do it themselves without any assistance from parents or caregivers. It not only assists in creating habits but also helps the child to be independent.
Encourages Discipline and Management of Time: When proper routines are in place, they are an indication for a child to know when an activity has to be completed and another to begin. This helps the child to become more disciplined and aware of the time. It encourages the child to pay attention to the task he or she is doing, and focus on completing it so they can move on to the next task in their routine.
How to Create a Routine?
A routine for early years children needs to be established right from the beginning from the first day of birth. However, they can be established later in life too, but the sooner it is done the better it is for the child’s physical, mental and emotional development. Here is how you can establish a routine for your child:
Time for all important activities of the day needs to be set. Regular times for meals, play, sleeping, etc. need to be established and then adhered to. Start with the most important activities such as meal times and sleep times. Once the child has gotten used to these then set the time for other activities such as bathing, playing, etc. As the child grows older, more activities can be included in the routine.
Be Consistent: Do the same thing every day so the child can learn the routine and know what to expect. If breakfast is at 9.00 am then it should be served around 9.00 am each day. Same for sleep time or playtime. Set a time for each activity and stick to it.
Patience and Flexibility: Setting any routine requires patience and a degree of flexibility. Being too rigid with the routine may often be counterproductive.
How Green Grass Nursery Helps to Create Routines.
Pre-nursery stage is great to instill good habits and routines in children. Their time at school is carefully scheduled and routines are created that are easy to follow and provide great learning opportunities for our students. Some of the routines we follow include:
- Teaching children the importance of washing their hands before eating.
- Telling them about importance of brushing their teeth.
- Ensuring that they take their nap at schedule time.
- Teaching them to put away the toys after playing.
Little things like these are easy for the parents to follow too and contribute greatly to the child’s development. We also use these everyday routines as opportunities to talk with our children and help them develop their communication skills.
Conclusion
A good routine for early years children is planned well, it is consistent and predictable. Having a routine is good not only for the children but for the parents as well. Routines give better control to parents and reduce stress for both the children as well as the parents. A well-established routine creates time for fun activities and family time which benefits all.
At Green Grass Nursery, we help to establish routines for the children and encourage the parents to follow them at home too.
References:
https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/about-us/article/importance-schedules-routines
Arwa Naccho
CEO
Green Grass Nursery
