Daily routines for kids are important. Keep reading this blog post to find out why!
As a kid, I loved predictability. I loved knowing that I went to school Monday through Friday, that I went to dance class on Tuesday and Thursday nights, that we got takeout for dinner on Friday nights, and that I got to be with my family on the weekends. That love for knowing what comes next has stuck with me into adulthood.
Routine is good for children. Why? According to this article from Aha! Parenting.com, “A predictable routine allows children to feel safe, and to develop a sense of mastery in handling their lives.” Relatively, kids go through many more physical, mental, and emotional changes on a daily/weekly basis than adults do. All that change and growth can be tumultuous! Knowing what they are doing and what is coming next in their day is the best way to ensure that they are happy, healthy, and on the right track.
There are 5 daily routines for kids that are absolutely critical that you establish for your child.
1. Morning Routine
Each day is a new start and has so much untapped potential. Having your child start it off the right is the best way to ensure success. Here are some questions to ask yourself so that you can create the ideal morning routine for your child:
- What time do they wake up?
- What do they do as soon as they get out of bed?
- What tasks must they complete before it is time to go to school? Some ideas include…
- Get dressed
- Eat breakfast
- Comb hair
- Brush teeth
- Check backpack
2. After School Routine
If your child goes to school or daycare, then there is a very good chance they experience good structure in this part of their lives. Having a semblance of structure or routine right after school will only benefit them further. When building their after school routine, ask yourself questions like:
- What do they do as soon as they get home?
- When do they do their homework?
- How is this routine different on days when they have extracurriculars or practice?
- When do they get to relax and play?
3. Night Routine
Once the afternoon is over, it’s time to start winding down. Having a predictable evening routine can help to relax your child and get them ready for bed. Here are a few questions to consider when you’re piecing your little one’s night routine together:
- What time is dinner?
- Do they help clean up after dinner?
- Do they put away their toys?
- Do they get to watch one episode of a show?
- Do they take a bath or shower?
4. Bedtime Routine
Bedtime is potentially one of the most difficult times of the day for parents and kids alike. Whether it’s because they’re overstimulated or just have a fear of missing out, there are a multitude of reasons for kids hating bedtime. Having a solid and enjoyable bedtime routine is crucial for your child. Besides always reminding your child how important sleep is for them to grow healthy and strong, their bedtime routine should be something that they look forward to. Here are the basics to consider:
- What time does your child go to their room?
- Do they read a book by themselves or with a parent?
- Do they need a glass of water, their fan on, a sound machine?
- What time do you ideally want them to be asleep by?
5. Weekend Routine
Ahhh, weekends! I remember that feeling of freedom on weekends as a kid! Many times there are different events or occasions that happen on weekends, but there can still be a loose structure that you follow with your kids. Even though weekend days might be radically different from weekdays, there’s always those parts that are predictable. Ask yourself things like…
- Do they go grocery shopping with you on Saturday?
- Do you all go to church on Sunday?
- Do they get to stay up a little bit late on Friday/Saturday nights?
- Do you let them sleep in a little extra?
Routine Ideas For Kids
For kids, routine goes deeper than just knowing what’s happening during specific parts of the day. Here’s a few little routine happenings that can make a child feel safe, comfortable, and loved.
- Being woken up by the same caregiver every day. Maybe there’s a specific routine where you say good morning, open up the blinds in their room, and then tickle them awake.
- Having meals together, around the same time each day. Perhaps this is where you can all discuss the best parts of your day, as well as the worst parts.
- Instill a predictable bath time routine. It could be right after dinner, and maybe your child gets to turn the faucet on, pick out their bath toys to play with, and has their already picked-out pajamas waiting for them on top of the sink.
- When bed time comes around, your child knows the drill. You both climb in their bed, read three picture books together, say prayers, and then have hugs and kisses before you get up to turn the lights off. (You also always make sure the night light is on and working.)
In Conclusion…
Routines don’t just benefit adults. Children who grow up with functional routines will grow up into functional adults! Make it fun, exciting, and rewarding for them — when they’re young, create a routine chart that they can interact with as they move through their day. When they’re a bit older, reward their consistency with a little treat every once in a while.
What do your child’s daily routines look like? Let me know in the comments below!
RELATED: Are you struggling to find routine for yourself, even as a parent? Read my blog post 7 Amazing Benefits of Routine to find out why routine is important for you, too!
If your child is in middle school or beyond, check out The Ultimate 7-Step Daily Routine Schedule For Students to encourage their success!
This blog post was all about daily routines for kids.
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