The Importance of a Routine for Young Children

7 Benefits of Routines

1. Eliminates power struggles: You aren’t bossing the child around. Children learn that the particular activity is what you do at that time of day.

2. Helps children cooperate: reduces stress and anxiety because they get accustomed to transitions.

3.  Helps children learn to take control of their own activities:  Over time, children will learn to brush their teeth, pack backpacks, and get dressed, without constant reminders.  They love feeling in control and being as independent as possible. This feeling increases their level of autonomy, sense of mastery, and competence.

4. Children learn the concept of "looking forward": For example: your child may want to go to the playground now, but can learn that we always go to the playground in the afternoon and can look forward to it then.

5. Regular routines help children get on a schedule: helps them fall asleep faster and feel secure.

6. Routines help parents build in precious connection moments: Don’t simply push through the routine, take time to truly engage with your child. Some examples: create a fun way to greet your child – give them a big squeeze or “there’s those pretty blue eyes!” etc. Take time to talk with your child, help them with transitions, or simply teach. Example: after a bath- "Let's dry your toes...your calf...your knee...your belly... etc."

7. Schedules help parents maintain consistency in expectations: If everything is a fight, parents end up settling: more TV, skip brushing teeth for tonight, etc.  With a routine, parents are more likely to maintain healthy expectations for everyone.

Tips to Start

- Make it fun, and give incentives for the children.

-  Remember to empathize with their feelings, but also reinforce your limit: "I know you don't want to brush your teeth and get ready for bed. You were having so much fun playing. But look at the schedule,  it's 7:30pm, and that means it's time to get ready for bed.

-  Remember not to be so rigid that you become frustrated or upset when the schedule is thrown off. Do your best to keep it simple and stay positive.

- Find a schedule that works for you and stick to it- soon enough it will become natural.

Markham, Dr. Laura, (2015). 7 Benefits of Routines, http://www.ahaparenting.com/parenting-tools/family-life/structure-routines).