Daily Routines For Toddlers and Preschoolers: Tips for Parents

Importance of Daily Routines for Kids

Building a routine for your toddlers and preschoolers is an important part of fostering healthy development. Daily schedules provide a structure to their day, which can lead to a sense of security and safety. Routines also help children learn how to transition between activities, which can be an important skill as they grow older.

A predictable schedule teaches young children about daily expectations and the importance of following rules, both in and out of the home. Having daily routines for kids can also ensure that they get adequate sleep, physical activity, and healthy meals.

When crafting daily routines for your toddlers and preschoolers, it’s important to make sure they are age-appropriate. For example, daily schedules for toddlers should include plenty of playtime and naps. Preschoolers will need more structure as they learn new skills like writing and math.

Benefits of Routines for Children’s Development and Well-being

Having a consistent routine has a multitude of benefits for a child’s development and well-being. By taking small steps daily, routines will benefit the children in the following aspects:

Self-care

A structured routine allows young children to learn the importance of taking care of themselves such as getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, cleaning their teeth, and engaging in physical activities.

Time management

Children do not have to wonder what they should do next when they have a daily routine. It will help them develop an understanding of the length of time or duration that it takes to do different tasks, and ways to prioritise them according to importance. This teaches them the importance of time management which can help prepare them for their future life as adults.

Sense of responsibility

Children become more responsible by understanding that daily tasks should be done every day and on time. This will also boost their sense of accomplishment when they complete daily routines without help, as well as increase their self-esteem.

Healthy habits

They will develop daily healthy habits such as nap time, getting to bed on time, homework time, and regular physical activity which are beneficial for children’s physical and mental health.

Strong relationships

Having daily tasks such as breakfast time as a family, helping each other with chores, and spending time together will help strengthen the family’s bond amidst the busy family life. Through daily routines, parents can connect with their children regularly which can help foster a calmer household.

Child behaviour

Following a regular routine helps young children develop positive behaviour, promote self-discipline, and regulate their emotions as they learn the discipline of following their routine.

Ideas for Daily Routines for Kids

Here are some daily routine ideas that you can practice for your toddler or preschooler:

Meal times

Meal times and snack times are important parts of daily routines for kids. It allows the family to come together, bond and enjoy quality time with one another. Meal time is also an opportunity for children to learn about healthy eating as well as table manners.

Scheduling regular meal times

Meal time should be included in their morning routine, where every family member is present before they left for school and work.

A sample schedule of meal times might go like this:

Breakfast – 7:00 AM
Lunch – 11:30 AM
Dinner – 5:00 PM

Ideas for healthy meals and snacks

Providing meals and snacks that are healthy, nutritious and delicious is vital for daily routines. Here are some ideas for healthy meals and snacks to include in daily schedules:

Breakfast – Oats, fruit and yogurt, omelettes
Snacks – Fruit smoothies, egg muffins, whole-grain crackers
Lunch – Sandwiches with lean protein, bean burritos, veggie wraps
Dinner – Chicken strips with vegetables, Herbed lamb chops with mashed sweet potato

Involving children in meal preparation

When preparing daily meals, it can be beneficial to involve your children in the process. Have them help with setting the table, washing fruits and vegetables, mixing ingredients together, or packing lunch boxes. This will give them a sense of ownership over their daily meals and make meal times an enjoyable activity for them.

Playtime

Playtime is a fun and important part of a child’s daily routine. It encourages children to use their creativity and imagination, as well as practice different skills such as problem-solving and social skills.

Structured play activities

Structured play involves activities that have a specific goal or purpose in mind. You can schedule different physical or cognitive activities your children can do in their daily routines. Some easy-to-do structured play activities could be:

Solving a jigsaw puzzle
Baking
Crafts-making
Painting
Board games

Outdoor play

Outdoor activities are also essential for daily routines for kids as they provide physical exercise and exposure to nature. Some examples are:

Going for daily walks
Bike rides
Exploring a nearby park
Playing catch or tag in the backyard

Free play

Besides structured play activities, you can also schedule some time in a child’s daily routine for unstructured play. It gives them a sense of independence and helps to build their self-confidence. Allowing a child to have some time for free play every day will give them a break from structured activities and allow them to express themselves creatively.

Naptime

Sleep is essential for young children’s physical and emotional development. Naps help them to recharge their energy after a long day of activities.

Proper nap amounts are different for each age group. Check the daily recommendations below to help you decide when to schedule nap times:

Babies (3-12 months) should get 2 daily naps (each nap lasting 1-2 hours)
Toddlers (12-36 months) should get 1 daily nap (lasting 1-3 hours)
Preschoolers (3-5 years) should have daily quiet time (lasting 1-2 hours)

Scheduling naptime

Having a visual schedule of their naptime will help to provide consistency and let them know when it’s time for a break. Some tips for creating daily naptime schedules include:

Keeping the nap times routine and consistent
Setting up a comfortable environment where they can relax
Providing enough restful activities before their naps

Transitional activities before and after naptime

Different activities can help them to wind down before bedtime and once they wake up from their daily naps. Here are some ideas for activities your children can do before and after naptime:

Before – story time, puzzles, singing lullabies
After – light physical activity like dancing, colouring and drawing

Here is a sample daily routine for toddlers:

This is just a sample routine which you can print and practice right away, or adjust based on the child’s schedule and needs.

Involving Children in the Creation of their Routine

Children should be involved in the daily routine-building process. Explain to them why a daily routine is important and involve their ideas in the planning. This will help them understand how their daily structure benefits their development.

Empowering children and promoting independence

Nothing is easy if you just started, but communicating with them and encouraging them daily will help to promote independence in children. Here are the different ways you can do to encourage and empower them daily:

Ask for their opinion
Give them choices
Embrace mistakes
Recognise and celebrate successes

Tips for involving children in routine planning and implementation

As a parent, you may need some help in involving your children in daily routine planning and implementation. Here are the tips that might be useful to keep daily routines running smoothly:

Give them control over small decisions
Make daily tasks fun
Break down complex tasks into smaller steps
Help them create a checklist for daily routines
Praise them daily
Use positive reinforcement

Creating daily routines for toddlers and preschoolers might seem overwhelming, but it can be an effective way to encourage healthy habits and develop independence in children.

Final Thoughts

Building routines for toddlers and preschoolers is an effective way to help them structure their daily lives. Not only does it provide consistency, but daily routines can also help foster independence in children. Involving your child in the routine-building process is essential for their success in the future. Keep daily activities fun and age-appropriate, and use positive reinforcement to ensure the routines are followed. With some patience and consistency, you can create daily routines for your toddlers or preschoolers that work for everyone in the family.

Give your child the best start in life!

Take the first step towards giving your child a head start. Contact Okinja Early Learning Centre today to find out how adding play-based learning to a well-thought-out daily routine can help them grow!

Call us at 07 5479 2222 or email admin@okinjaelc.com.au.

Toddlers and Preschoolers: Ideas for Daily Routines for Kids