When it comes to your child’s development and education, structure and routine are so important. A simple daily routine helps to build the foundations for important skills, such as time management, self-control, basic hygiene, independence, responsibility, and confidence.
In this article, we’ll look at ways you can create a schedule for your child and help them to follow it. No matter which activities and tasks are important in your child’s life, we’ll help you to build a routine that they can follow easily and enjoy.
Why is a Routine So Important For Your Child?
Think about your daily routine. These are the predictable and familiar tasks you complete every day. From starting your morning with a shower and a good breakfast to ending it with brushing your teeth and a good book, a routine brings comfort and consistency. Just like adults, children feel more secure and confident when they know what is coming next.
Here are some of the benefits that a schedule can bring to your child:
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They feel safe, comfortable, and secure
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They get to learn new skills and follow them through
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They become more engaged in learning
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They start to create their own routines independently
Get Your Child Involved in the Process
Children love to be involved in the decision-making process. One of the best ways to create a schedule is to allow your child to have a say in what goes into their routine. When children have their ideas implemented, this builds confidence and encourages them to share their ideas in the future.
For example, if you’re creating a teeth-brushing routine, have them choose a new toothbrush or a song that they can brush their teeth to. In addition to empowering your child and building their confidence, it’s harder for them to refuse to do things that were their idea.
Set Realistic Priorities and Times
One of the biggest reasons why children give up on a schedule or find it stressful is because unrealistic expectations have been set. It’s always a good idea to do a dry-run of a new routine.
For example, if your child is starting school and they need to be up, have breakfast, and be dressed within half an hour, have a practice to see if there are any parts of the routine they struggle with. Better to get these ironed out early on so that the first day of school is a happy and calm one.
Help Them to Be Consistent
Children can get confused if a routine they have been following is suddenly disrupted or changes unexpectedly. Of course, life happens, and change and disruption can be unavoidable, especially in the busy family home. However, by trying to keep their schedule as consistent as possible, your child will be more likely to memorise it and follow it.
Before you know it, that routine will become second nature for them. From getting homework done in time to getting ready for after-school sports, consistency leads to success. Tip: A visual schedule can help your child to develop executive functioning skills and follow steps in a certain order.
Schedules Don’t Have to be Daunting
While some children take to a routine immediately, some children can take a little more time to get into the flow. Some schedules, such as an exam revision plan, can look pretty daunting at first glance. To help your child manage a schedule or routine with many items or steps, it’s a good idea to break them down or focus on one task at a time.
Using the revision schedule example, why not create a mini-schedule for each exam? Make these tasks ‘snackable’ and easy to manage. BBC Bitesize is a great resource. Also, talk through the schedule with your child and set your expectations for what you want them to revise every day.
Build Structure and Confidence With Private Tutoring
Is your child struggling with a particular subject or do they have an important exam or test on the horizon? Regular private tutoring when scheduled alongside your child’s formal learning is a great way to build more structure into your child’s routine.
At Tutor Doctor, we have a wide selection of experienced tutors who can schedule a lesson on the same day each week to keep your child focused, inspired, and on the path to success.
Find a location near you to get started today.
