A DAILY ROUTINE IS VITAL FOR YOUR TODDLER

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Adults and Children thrive when there are routines, schedules and rituals within their daily lives, especially now that we are all confined to our homes. Now, more than ever, having your day loosely planned out, will establish normalcy and help children feel more secure. You are also teaching children that there are meaningful and important elements that are vital for good family structure.

Small daily routines suggestions that may be helpful:

• Breakfast time - sitting down to a proper breakfast at the table
• Washing, brushing teeth and dressing
• Creative playtime
• Snack
• Nap time
• Lunch time
• Physical Activity
• Snack
• Screen or TV time
• Dinner
• Bathtime
• Brushing teeth
• Reading and bedtime

Children generally fear the unknown, whether it’s a new teacher, new school, new sporting activity, new food on their plate or a bigger life change like a new house or new sibling. Life changes are always expansive learning opportunities, but keeping routine and consistency around those changes brings comfort to a child's life. Besides the short term benefits of helping children get into a daily routine, the long term benefits will extend into their adult life and make them far more capable adults. Research shows that routine activities in the household will help children regulate certain necessary body functions such as:

• Ability to take naps and sleep well at night
• Ability to eat healthy, full meals
• Regular bowel movements
• Focused play and outdoor activity

The main goal that is achieved is that children will know what's expected of them at certain times of the day. For instance, if they know it’s bath time they will know it’s time to pack away their toys. Hopefully, this will help to promote a calmer atmosphere in the household as they become partners with you in doing the chores. They will also learn to take on responsibility for time management. You will eventually be able to hand over the responsibility as they grow more confident in themselves and build up their self esteem in being able to do these things on their own. Making a special time just for another family member, like having a game with dad on a Sunday morning, these routines will be exciting and help your child look forward to that event.

It’s also important to be flexible with your routines and allow for the unexpected to happen. You may be in the middle of your reading time and an animal may walk past the window. That too will be a good moment to explore something new and exciting.

As the months go on, you’ll start to see what’s working and not working for the family. Be sure your routine is fun as well as positive for your child and other family members. With the big shift in our daily lives right now, the consistency with routines you establish will help your children to feel safe, confident and secure and help you keep your sanity as you try to work from home.