The importance of creating consistent schedules and routines

In this module you are going to find sample schedules and daily routines that can help you structure your day. Daily routines and schedule are very important for young children, because they ensure consistency and psychological stability. Children know what to expect throughout the day, they know what will be next and can prepare and control themselves. This gives them a feeling of competence and fosters their self-control. All this also prevents challenging behaviors. It is deferentially a win win:)

Try to see it trough the eyes of a child:

Just imagine how you would feel following instructions, waiting for next directions without having any sense of when you can do what you like to do most.

Here are some tips on what to respect, when working on your daily routine/schedule

be consistence but allow for flexibility
give children large blocks of time to work/play
include scheduled times (meal times, outside time, nap times...)
respect the children's needs
balance the activities: active - quiet, individual - team, inside - outside, child chooses - adult directed,
make the schedule visible

In the coming pages you will find sample schedules for different age groups. You may adapt the schedules to your family's needs and the current situation.