Create Structure and Routines at Home

As summer winds down, set your family up for success for the new back to school season by creating structure in your routines at home. Children feel more confident and at ease when they know what to expect. A daily schedule and purposeful routines offer just that. Below are some strategies for making your own while having fun along the way.

Strategize

Begin by reviewing your family’s entire day or week. Jot down important events, tasks, and commitments. Don’t forget to include daily care tasks.

Create

Once you have a clear picture of what needs to happen, create a daily schedule. Take it a step further by listing routines in your schedule. This can include breakfast, brushing teeth, bath time, dinner, etc.

Make It Visual

Create a visual representation of your schedule and routines to encourage your child’s participation. It is important to involve your children in this process. Encourage them to add personal touches and decorations. Add pictures of them engaging with each step of the routine to build independence.

Show, Practice, and Praise

To help everyone achieve success, lead by example. Show your child how to accomplish each task. Then, make them consistent habits together. As your child becomes more independent, praise their efforts and achievements.

Make It Special and Purposeful

Within your schedule and routines, build your relationship with your child and help them practice developmental skills. For example, as you drop your child off at school, develop a personalized handshake or hug. As you develop the mealtime routine, include your children to empower them while also practicing skills such as counting, matching, patterns, and autonomy.

Be Flexible

While we want to be consistent, it’s also valuable to know that we sometimes need to be flexible. Help your child by staying calm and acknowledging when things don’t go quite as expected. Point out the positive aspects and learning opportunities. Also remember, if your schedule or routines are not working as you anticipated, model resilience for your children. Change it up and try again.

Have Fun

Make sure to create time in your schedule and routines for fun. Children learn best and want to engage more when they’re having a good time. For example, dance while you brush your teeth or make silly faces when getting dressed. Small actions go a long way to reinforce great habits.

The goal is to create a positive and predictable environment for your whole family. By implementing intentional structure and purposeful routines, you’ll set the stage for a successful back to school transition and encourage everyone to feel prepared and successful.

For additional ideas, visit the following websites:

• Zero to Three Organization
• NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children)
• NCPMI (National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations)