It is well established that routines can provide a foundation for a child’s cognitive and emotional development. Indeed, having familiar activities in daily life supports healthy social-emotional development in early childhood.
When they are provided with a consistent daily schedule, children feel confident, safe and secure within their environment. This results in better mental health without them being overwhelmed by anxiety or fear when an activity takes place.
Subsequently, when children are suddenly faced with challenges or stressors – such as having to move house, a divorce, or loss of a loved one – they are able to better adapt.
Routines also allow young ones to develop personal characteristics and a sense of belonging, as well as nurture stronger ties with family members, peers and teachers in school, and the community.
Furthermore, having routines helps cultivate good habits. Studies have shown that setting dinnertime and bedtime routines, for example, has many benefits: kids learn they should help the family set the table, wash their hands before and after meals, behave while eating, or engage with family members or guests during dinner.
Nowadays, many parents use digital devices to act as “babysitters” for their children while they eat. This can affect the child’s overall development by hindering interaction with others. As such, mealtime routines with rules such as “no screens” reinforce limitations and expected behaviours at the dining table.
Relatedly, routines support children in growing up independently as they learn to understand concepts, boundaries and rewards. They learn, for instance, that they need to finish their mains before they move on to dessert; or that they need to complete their homework before playtime.
With such understanding, young children grow up knowing that actions lead to consequences, both positive and negative. This helps them to develop cognitive skills so they are better prepared to make the transition to primary school and beyond.
How to establish routines for children
1. Keep it simple and inclusive
Kids do not need to have new activities every single day! Keep a simple daily routine that children and parents or other family members can easily understand and follow. Each family member – children included – should take part in the breaking down of tasks.
Put the schedule in a prominent place in the home where everyone is able to see it. Everyone should be able to participate in the activities, even simple tasks such as setting the dining table or tidying up before bedtime.
2. Don’t go overboard
Avoid filling the schedule with too many things, as this could create anxiety and stress in children. Instead, make sure there are some gaps and downtime between activities.
3. Review your schedule
Go over the schedule at the start of the day – during breakfast, for instance, so children can be reminded of upcoming activities.
Stick as closely as possible to the schedule, but allow for some flexibility in case of last-minute changes. For example, if one parent has a sudden meeting to attend, the other parent can take over without disrupting the flow of events.
4. Enjoy the weekend
Use weekends to reward your children for adhering to their routines during the week. A reward does not need to be big – it could be as simple as treating them to an ice cream, or visiting their favourite play area.
By doing this, your children will be able to remain motivated.
5. Use encouraging words
Offer positive encouragement and feedback when your children succeed in following their routines. Remember, a positive heart will lead to a positive mind, resulting in an overall happy and well-adjusted child.
This article was written by Teresa WS Ong, a learning support specialist at the Singapore University of Social Sciences. She holds a PhD in linguistics from Griffith University, Australia, and has a keen interest in linguistics and child development.