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Routines for kids: Boring, but beneficial

Posted Sep 30, 2010 by Beth Gaddis

Updated Sep 30, 2010 at 01:21 PM

I’m a big believer in schedules.  I love to-do lists, I love knowing what’s going to happen next, and I love how my kids behave better when they’ve been told what to expect.

I interviewed a sleep expert a few weeks ago about her new book, “The Baby Sleeps Tonight: How To Get Your Baby To Sleep Through The Night By 9 Weeks (Yes, Really.)” Shari Mezrah says the key is setting a schedule and sticking to it.  That was brought home to me last night, when we took the kids Halloween costume shopping and didn’t get home until after their normal bedtime.  I skipped the baths, popped them into PJs and tried to put them down.  No doing.  Their routine was all screwed up and they wanted me to know it.

Turns out, routines are important during the day, too.

“The key to any routine is keeping the elements consistent so your child knows what the next step is and the expected outcome,” says Claire Haas, vice president of education for Kiddie Academy, a national child care and education franchisor.  “It’s also important to remember that the timing of a routine can be flexible, but the way it is done should always remain the same.”

To establish consistent routines for your child throughout the day, Haas recommends the following:

IN THE MORNING it is helpful if you can prep for your morning routine the night before. Packing up backpacks, laying out clothing and getting everyone bathed will make mornings more orderly and less hurried.

AT DINNERTIME establishing a routine can help with good eating habits, communications skills and manners. You can involve your children in preparing for dinner – have them set or clear the table or put together ingredients for a salad. Even little ones can get involved with small tasks like putting the napkins out.

As often as possible, sit at the table as a family and encourage their communications skills by each sharing the best and most challenging parts of the day. This sparks discussion and provides learning opportunities.

HOMEWORK can be a tricky routine, because most children are not eager to do homework. Knowing your child is important – are they better about doing homework right after school, or do they need a snack and some time to play and decompress after a long day at school or child care? There is no right or wrong approach, but it is important to be firm with your routine and remain consistent.

BEFORE BEDTIME it is important not to over-stimulate your child. Try to avoid any screen time or rambunctious play. Typically children from kindergarten to third grade are required to read 20 minutes a day, and bedtime is a great time for this. If you have younger children, establish bedtime as story time and read to them.