As parents, sticking to routines with our kids can be extremely difficult. Between soccer games and baseball practices and homework, it may seem as though there are barely enough hours in the day to fit everything in, let alone finding routine in all of it. PBS parents has great resources for parents. While we play a part in creating routines in our children’s lives, we may not fully realize the role they play in young children’s development. Here are some ways routines can help our kids:
Routines help babies and toddlers learn self-control
Consistent routines, activities that happen at about the same time and in about the same way each day, providing comfort and a sense of safety to young children. It helps them learn to trust that caring adults will provide what they need. When children feel this sense of trust and safety, they are free to do their “work,” which is to play, explore, and learn.
Routines can bring you and your child closer together and reduce power struggles
Stable routines allow babies and toddlers to anticipate what will happen next. This gives young children confidence, and also a sense of control. Routines can also limit the amount of “no’s” and behavior corrections you need to give a toddler throughout the day, since your child can better predict what should happen next.
Routines guide positive behavior and safety
Routines can be used for many reasons, but two of the most important are ensuring children’s health and safety, and helping children learn positive, responsible behavior.
Routines support children’s social skills
As babies grow, they come into contact with more people and begin to learn patterns and routines for social interaction. Greetings, good-byes, and chatting with others are examples of routine interactions that teach social skills. These interactions are also opportunities to help our children develop language skills.
Routines help children cope with transitions
Depending on your child’s temperament, transitions between activities may be easy or more difficult. Going from play to lunch, lunch to the store, the store to home…and especially transitioning to bed time, can be challenging. Routines (like bedtime routines) can help make transitions easier.
Routines are satisfying for parents, too
Not only do routines and rituals make transitions easier for children—they also help ease adults into parenthood. The early stages of becoming a parent can be overwhelming and sometimes put a strain on marriage. Continuing a ritual from your early marriage years (like an evening out or a special vacation spot) can help.
Routines are an important opportunity for learning
Daily routines are often thought of as just “maintenance” activities: meal time, running errands, getting ready for bed, taking baths. But these everyday actions are rich opportunities to support your child’s learning and development, while having fun. Routines offer the chance to build self-confidence, curiosity, social skills, self-control, communication skills, and more.
Check out the full blog at http://www.pbs.org/parents/expert-tips-advice/2016/02/power-routines/