- Sleep - Routines can provide the bridge from daily activity to winding down for sleep. By establishing a known set of activities repeatedly every night and at nap time, your child will become secure in knowing what comes next and what is expected of him in each activity. For instance, your nightly routine could be a warm bath followed by listening to soft music while reading a book. Then it’s lights out and time to go to sleep. If repeated every night, your child will know what comes after reading a book and will know it’s time to settle down for sleep. Routines like this help establish a healthy sleep pattern critical for your child’s development.
- Temperament - As a parent, you know that every child has his or her own natural disposition, or temperament. By exploring your child’s unique emotional and behavioral responses to her experiences, parents can establish routines that help ease transitions. For example, some children adjust easily to being separated from their parents in a childcare setting, but if your child has difficulty in separating from you, consider establishing a routine for her. Try reading a short book or playing together for a few minutes before you leave. Routines like this help your child control her responses to everyday situations.
- Discipline - Routines can also help structure important boundaries for children in terms of what is permissible behavior and what is not. Consistent rules, limits, and rituals not only help children feel a sense of security, but also let children know they are loved and valued by their parents. Children are repetitive learners, so discipline takes time and years of practice. Routines such as holding mom’s hand in the store or knocking before opening a closed door can help guide your child’s behavior.
- Temper Tantrums - Parents dread them, but tantrums are typical for young children. Your child doesn’t want to misbehave; he just becomes overwhelmed. You can help your child cope with overstimulation by establishing routines that he can rely on and to help him control his behavior. Establish a safe place to let off steam or a quiet activity that lets your child recover. When you have routines in place, you have a game plan that allows you to effectively deal with your child’s temper tantrum without anger or frustration.
- Changing Routines - Changes in routine can be very stressful, confusing, and even scary for babies and toddlers. It is important to prepare your child ahead of time for any foreseeable changes in the day’s activities. When introducing new routines into your child’s schedule, be sure to keep some old, familiar ones, too. To get your child through the rough spots, try some extra hugging, cuddling, singing, reading, or additional play time together. A change in routine can also lead to sleep problems, so if important naps or sleep times are missed, allow extra time to get back on track and stick to your already established bedtime rituals.
- Stress and Fear - Every family undergoes times of stress. As much as you want to protect your child, she will probably feel uncomfortable and perhaps experience fears when changes such as the death of a loved one, a divorce, or a move occur. Keeping your child’s routines as normal as possible will help her feel more secure and reduce stress. You may not be able to keep your child’s day exactly as she expects, but try to preserve some of her favorite, familiar routines, such as the bedtime ritual.
- Toilet Learning - Parents can help their child successfully master toilet learning by establishing special toilet learning routines. For instance, set specific times in the day to make trips to the potty, such as first thing in the morning, shortly after breakfast and lunch, mid-afternoon, and before dinner and bedtime. After some time, your child will become accustomed to this routine and it may eventually help her gain bladder control.
- Transitions - The day is full of transitions such as getting dressed in the morning, coming to the table to eat, and going to sleep at bedtime. Some children have difficulties with transitions (see Temperament). Establishing routines for each transition will help your child adjust to the change in activities throughout the day and help make each transition a smooth one.
Reprinted courtesy of Parents As Teachers National Center, Inc.
