Setting up a daily routine or making a schedule for kids is especially important and useful today as kids are learning and studying at home – either through modular learning or online class.
With the distance learning setup where you or your kid’s guardian are left to manage your child’s daily routine, what can you do to make sure every day is smooth and productive?
Visual schedule for kids
Photo by Ketut Subiyanto
A visual schedule is an illustrated calendar of daily responsibilities and pursuits. They come in a wide range of sizes and shapes. For instance, while some visual schedules follow the “Now – Next” method, others can display a day’s worth of events. Kids can learn what they are doing and what will happen next from this explanation.
According to Teacher Gaby in the TalkED Early Childhood Series of Knowledge Channel, having a visual schedule promotes ownership.
“Makikita na niya ‘yong gagawin niya. Mayroon silang control. Kasi ‘di ba kapag younger children, parati na lang na tayo ‘yong nagsasabi anong gagawin nila. Parati na lang natin silang inuutusan. ‘Pag mayroon silang schedule, may nagiging control sila.”
How to create a schedule for your child
Many kids find comfort in having a set schedule. They understand when and how to take action. They get used to that routine. However, some kids won’t stick to a routine or schedule, especially if it’s new.
It could be challenging if you depend on that timetable to keep everyone on target and the day running well. Here are some tips to try.
1. Allow your child to help you create the routine.
Making decisions is something that kids like doing. Additionally, it raises confidence. They think they can get their work done with little to no help from you.
2. Be realistic about time and priorities.
Run your schedule for kids through to get a precise idea of how long it will take. If you need your child to get dressed, have breakfast, fix their bags, and leave the house in the morning, try it on a day when you aren’t in a hurry. Then, adjust accordingly.
3. Be specific while discussing the procedure.
Children that disobey a schedule may be because they do not understand it or be aware of how to handle it. So, go over each step in detail and state exactly what each person is required to do.
When giving instructions, be thorough. Instead of saying “You need to vacuum today,” try saying “Today, please vacuum your room and fix your bed.
4. Note the schedule in writing.
Routines should be documented and posted in the appropriate places. To make it even better, design a kid-friendly visual schedule! Yes, written information with illustrations to help the reader understand the work.
According to Teacher Gaby:
“Using photos and drawings also help them. Nakikita na nila sa picture eh. Ah ito, na pala yung next na gagawin ko. Ineexpect na rin nila ‘yong next na mangyayari, imbes na paalala ka ng paalala.
Alam na nila na, ‘Pagka-kain, maliligo na ako, brush teeth, and papasok sa school’. So they can do things on their own and prepare themselves. So you can draw that, or take pictures.”
5. Recognize that children need help establishing routines.
It takes time to become accustomed to new routines. Keep an eye out for little improvements. Gently them out loud and directing their attention to the written schedule.
6. Create a couple fallback plans before hand.
If your child’s online school is canceled or you get an unexpected work call, have a few things you can pull out of your back pocket to keep your youngster occupied.
7. Be flexible.
While creating and keeping a routine offers many advantages, it’s also important to be adaptive. Recognize that each child has different needs, and be flexible to meet those needs (and adult).
Benefits diminish and kids may feel more restricted than free when a program becomes overly strict or regulated (which is the ultimate goal).
Benefits of schedule for kids
Photo by ANTONI SHKRABA
There must be enough time built into a daily visual schedule for kids to play, study, eat, and go to bed.
Studies show that kids who follow a schedule at home are more likely to be in better physical and mental health and to have the greater cognitive ability. Let’s look at the advantages of giving kids a consistent routine.
1. Children gain from routines’ consistency and confidence-boosting effects.
Kids typically have a tendency to fear new or unknown things. A set schedule gives kids a sense of predictability, security, and comfort, which reduces their anxiety.
You must, however, give your child easy activities to do. Because they can see it and perform it on their own, even something as straightforward as washing their hands before eating can boost their self-esteem.
2. With the help of a daily routine, children can create new behaviors.
Having a daily plan for kids allows you many opportunities to incorporate a variety of preschool activities, which can include a variety of kids learning activities.
For example, you might stress to them how important it is to brush their teeth twice daily. Children also learn to greet others, use the key words “Sorry,” “Thank You,” and “Please,” learn to wait, and exchange toys with one another in order to improve their social skills.
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3. Children learn better in cognitive, socio-emotional, and skill-based ways when they have a regular schedule.
Studies show that adhering to a set schedule improves kids’ learning and problem-solving skills. When their daily routines are environment-focused, preschoolers and toddlers learn by participating and exploring. It supports the growth of their independence and self-control.
Children can learn a lot just going about their regular lives. Our daily activities include kid-friendly activities that support your child’s early learning journey, speech and language development, fine and gross motor skills.
4. Children who follow a daily schedule feel more successful.
Children benefit from having a sense of accomplishment when a regular daily schedule is established for them.
Many child psychologists agree that young children have very limited attention spans. As you build a pattern, you might start by giving them simple tasks that just need five minutes of movement. You can introduce more time-consuming hobbies gradually over time.
Of course, in order to keep them motivated, it is essential to acknowledge and reward them for each success when they have completed a task.
5. Schedule for kids establishes expectations
So that there is no power struggle over putting away toys at the end of the day or having a bath, a young child becomes accustomed to knowing when “pick up time” and “bath time” are.
Children begin to anticipate challenges and successfully complete them. The parent participates with the child in that routine as a partner rather than telling them what to do and what not to do.
6. The home is more peaceful when the kids have a schedule.
Because the child and other family members know what to expect, stress and worry are lessened.
Example schedule for kids
Pure Wow has laid out a schedule for kids that you can copy or tweak as you like.
For ages 3 to 5:
- 7:30 a.m. Get up and dressed.
- 8:00 a.m Breakfast
- 9:00 a.m. Start of virtual classes
- 9:30 a.m. Snack
- 9:45 a.m. Homework
- 12:00 p.m. Lunch
- 12:30 PM: Interactive video or class in science, art, or music
- 1 p.m. Consider resting, listening to music, or playing an iPad game during quiet time.
- 2 p.m. Snack
- 2:15 p.m. Outdoor time
- 4:00 p.m. Snack
- 4:15 p.m. Time for independent play
- 5:00 p.m. TV time
- 6:30 p.m. Dinner
- 7:15 p.m. bath, pajamas, and tales
- 8:15 p.m. Bedtime
Photo by Ketut Subiyanto
For ages 6 to 8:
- 7:00 a.m. Get up, play, and watch TV
- 8:00 a.m. Breakfast
- 8:30 a.m. Prepare for school
- 9:00 a.m. School starts
- 9:15 a.m. First few subjects
- 10:00 a.m. Snack
- 10:30 a.m. Back to school
- 10:45 a.m. Next subjects
- 12:00 p.m. Lunch
- 1:00 p.m. Downtime
- 1:30 p.m. Next subjects
- 2:15 p.m. Break
- 3:00 p.m. Extra-curricular class after school
- 4:00 p.m. Snack
- 4:15 p.m. iPad, TV, or outdoor time
- 6:00 p.m. Dinner
- 6:45 p.m. Bath time
- 7:30 p.m. Bedtime
A daily routine can offer many benefits for children, including improved physical and mental health and greater cognitive ability. Allowing children to help create their daily schedule can also boost confidence and decision-making skills. It is important to be specific and realistic when creating a schedule and to be flexible if needed.
