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Daily Routine for Kids

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Following a daily routine for kids is an essential part of staying organized and creating better routines for moms. These tips to help your children develop better habits without nagging will teach your children to be dependable, responsible adults.

how to make a daily routine for kids

The Effect of a Routine on Children’s Development

Understand how regular routines for your kids will make it easier to manage their bedtimes and schedules.

There are many benefits to setting a routine for your children. The child will feel more secure knowing what to expect and the parents will find it easier to manage bedtime routines.

Setting a routine of going to bed at the same time each night, waking up at the same time each morning, and napping at the same time is important for brain development in children. It also helps them form healthy habits that they can carry with them into adulthood.

Children need to be able to adapt to the changes in their environment as they grow. A routine provides a sense of stability and security for the children.

A child starts by having a basic schedule, but they move on to having more specific expectations as they get older. These expectations are not only for when children should go to sleep, eat, or take a shower, but also about what type of clothes they should wear.

In a household where routines are not established, it can be hard for children to thrive. This is because routines provide security for the child and if this is not present then it creates anxiety in them that can affect their development.

Make it happen by using the two-minute rule to focus and clear your head.

How to Set a Child’s Routine/Schedule Without Drama

One of the best ways to ensure that your kids are healthy is by providing them with a good routine. This will help them sleep well, eat properly, and provide mental stability.

A good routine for children should be able to include certain activities that are done at the same time every day like: eating breakfast, going to bed at a specific time, and staying active. These routines will help children have a better sense of time and order which will in turn lead to increased mental stability.

But getting a child to follow a new routine can be challenging. These tips will make the transition to a new routine easier.

1. Include Children in Decision Making

Allow your kids to make decisions about what they want to eat, wear, or do. 

One of my favorite parenting books, Parenting With Love and Logic, teaches the principle of giving kids choices.

In theory, if you give your kids choices about simple things, like whether they wear a yellow shirt or an orange shirt or use the bubblegum toothpaste or the mint-flavored toothpaste, they will respond better when they don’t have a choice, like brushing their teeth in general.

Parenting with Love and Logic is an amazing resource for parents.

2. Give Children a Chance to Practice New Skills

Let your kids try out new skills and activities on their own without worrying about getting better at it.

One of the main ideas in Love and Logic is teaching kids natural consequences. For example, if your child refuses to wear rain boots on a rainy day, their feet will get wet and cold. This teaches your children that every decision has consequences.

Also, give your kids the opportunity to try things and fail on a smaller scale.

For example, set a timer and give your preschooler 2 minutes to tie his shoes. If the timer goes off, a parent will need to finish the job, but at least your child will build confidence and have a chance to practice new skills.

3. Reward Kids’ Behavior and Efforts

Use chore charts or daily routine charts for kids to create simple reminders that keep children focused and reduce nagging.

Reward your kiddos for completing their behavior charts or routine cards.

Daily Routine Examples

There are many different types of daily routine examples that your kids will follow over the years, but these are the most common schedules that kids use:

Classroom

If you have school-age children, chances are good that their teachers follow a daily classroom routine.

Teachers are excellent at getting kids to follow a routine down to the minute.

Weekly

Chore charts are the most common type of weekly routine.

evening

For resources to create an evening routine, check out these resources:

hygiene

Teach your kids basic hygiene by using a chore chart with reminders like “brush your teeth,” “comb your hair,” and “wash your face” every morning.

You can also get tools like an electric toothbrush, which will automatically turn off when your kiddo has brushed his teeth for the full two minutes.

summer

These ideas will help you create a summer routine for your kids (and yourself):

Morning

These resources to create a morning routine will help you get out the door faster.

everyday

An everyday or daily routine is useful for kids who are home all day (toddlers, homeschoolers, or kids on vacation).

The following daily routine chart is perfect for younger kids:

My Daily Routine for Kids

Related Chore Chart Ideas:

Next Steps for Creating a Daily Routine for Kids

Create a drama-free daily schedule for your kids with these simple tips and routine ideas. Make sure you give your kids plenty of time to try (and fail) and reward them for their efforts.

Also, get a daily routine chart to keep your kids accountable and focused as they finish their routines.

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