We’re in the thick of establishing new goals and implementing our new year resolutions. So as we work on these things for ourselves, it’s a great time to take a look at our kids’ routines and goals. Are their morning routines working? Is there something we could adjust to make things go more smoothly for our kids and for us? What about afternoon or evening routines? This is the perfect time to assess our kids’ routines and set some new routines for our preschoolers in the new year.
We all know the value of routines for our families. Routines are like a set-it and forget-it for our daily functions. And routines help our kids to know what to expect and what is expected. So let’s look at some typical times of the day where routines can be really helpful.
Morning Routine
Morning routines are key for little ones to begin learning some personal responsibility. They should be really simple for our littlest ones. It’s pretty standard to consider things like making a bed, getting dressed, brushing teeth, and combing hair.
Household chores can be a part of your preschooler’s morning routine if your schedules allow for that. This includes things like helping to unload the dishwasher or wiping down the bathroom counter and sink. Really, it can look however you need it to look for your own household.
The main point is to set up some clear expectations for what should be done when we get up in the morning. And having a set order that works for your preschooler will help them to work through the steps easily. Our kids function well when they know what to do next and what to expect. So let’s help them set up or evaluate their routines to see if we need new routines for our preschoolers in the new year.
Check out this article with a sample routine here.
Afternoon Routine
Since our kids function well when they know what is expected, it’s important to have a routine for the afternoon. This could include things like cleaning up toys and time for looking at books, reading aloud, or a quiet time. If mornings don’t work for household chores, you might want to make those part of your afternoon routine.
Again, even if we already have an afternoon routine in place for our preschoolers, this might be a good time to see if we need new routines for our preschoolers in the new year.
To go along with your afternoon routine, you could use the signs for quiet, read, book, or clean up.
Evening Routine
Lastly, let’s take a look at our evening routines and evaluate whether they are working well for us or if we need new routines for our preschoolers in the new year.
What does your preschooler do before or after dinner? Do they help set the table or clear it afterward? Are there bedtime routines for them to follow? This is a good time to think about what is working and what needs to change. It’s also a good time to think about things that your preschooler has grown enough to handle. Is it time to add a responsibility or adjust an expectation?
For signs to learn with evening routines, check out the Bed Time section in our Signing Time Dictionary. There are lots of signs to help us in our evening or bedtime routines.
Over at My Signing Time, we have a show called My Day in our Signing Time series that has a bunch of signs to use in daily life. And take a look at this article about using music with your routines. It helps!
There are lots of ways to do routines. Let’s take a look at our children’s routines, and consider whether we need some new routines for our preschoolers in the new year.