Why Routines Are Important For Toddlers' Wellbeing
While we know that routines can play an important part in children's lives, we may not be aware of just how crucial they are for a toddler's wellbeing. Often overlooked, routines provide toddlers with a sense of security and predictability in an otherwise chaotic world, amongst a wealth of other key life skills.
For many parents, the thought of implementing a routine can be daunting. However, routines don't have to be rigid or inflexible. In fact, they can be quite flexible and can be easily adjusted to fit your family's needs.
Throughout this guide, we'll explore the key benefits of routines for toddlers, discuss exactly why routines are important for toddlers and offer some tips on how to get started.
Why Routines Are Important For Toddlers
Builds child confidence & independence
Children cope better with change when they're used to a degree of structure in their lives. Having a daily routine gives them a sense of stability and predictability, which can help them to feel confident and independent.
Self-confidence is an incredibly important life skill and one that will serve your child well throughout their life. As routines give children a greater sense of control, they're more likely to feel confident in themselves and their abilities. This newfound confidence can then be applied to other areas of their lives, such as learning new things and making friends independently as they grow.
Improves communication skills
Routines help to improve communication within families as they provide opportunities for parents and children to talk about what's coming next. This not only helps your child to understand the order of events but also gives them a chance to express any concerns or queries they may have. This can also be especially helpful for children living with disabilities.
Over time, this back-and-forth communication will help to foster a stronger relationship between you and your child. It will also encourage your child to communicate more effectively, which is an essential life skill for them to carry forward.
To boost your child's communication skills even further, you could introduce puppets into their daily routines. This can help them understand, express and communicate their feelings about day-to-day life with greater ease.
Helps children understand time management
Consistent routines help children to understand the concept of time, which is a key life skill. As they experience the same activities happening at the same time each day, they begin to develop an understanding of how long certain activities take. This knowledge then gives them a greater sense of control over their time and helps them to plan and organise their day more effectively.
In addition, as children learn to manage their time, they can start to understand the importance of time management. This is an essential skill for both children and adults alike and one that will stand them in good stead for the future. Routines like getting up at the same time every day can also align children's body clocks, making it easier for them to get a good night's sleep.
Provides a sense of security
Routines offer a sense of security for toddlers as they provide them with predictability in an otherwise chaotic world. When everything else in their lives is constantly changing, routines give them something to hold on to and rely on. This feeling of security is crucial for children's wellbeing and can help to reduce anxiety and stress levels.
In the first few years of life, children undergo a huge amount of change and development. They learn to walk, talk, feed themselves and use the toilet, amongst other things. It's no wonder then that routines can be so important for providing a sense of stability during this time of upheaval when children feel the most overwhelmed.
Routine helps children a sense of comfort as they provide familiar surroundings and activities. This can be particularly beneficial for children who are shy or anxious as it gives them a chance to feel more comfortable in their environment.
Creates a calm household
A calm household is more likely to be a happy household, and routines can help to achieve this. By having set times for activities like meals, bath time and bedtime, you can create a sense of order in your home. This can help to reduce stress levels for both parents and children as everyone knows what needs to be done and when.
In addition, routines can help to minimise arguments and conflict within families. This is because they provide a clear structure for everyday life, which can help to avoid misunderstandings and disagreements.
Boosts self-esteem & emotional regulation
Especially in older children, the sense of accomplishment from completing regular tasks can give a big boost to self-esteem. As children complete the same tasks day after day, they feel a sense of mastery, self-control and competence. This increased self-esteem can then be applied to other areas of their lives, such as school and social situations.
Routines can also help children to regulate emotions as they provide a stable and predictable environment. Emotional development in children relies heavily on routines as they offer a sense of security and stability. When children know what to expect, they feel more in control and are less likely to feel overwhelmed by their emotions.
What Makes a Good Toddler Routine?
Of course, not every family is the same and there's no one-size-fits-all approach to creating routines. However, if you're looking for ways to improve your family's wellbeing, implementing some simple routines into your daily life could be a good place to start.
When creating good routines for your family, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Start small – Don't try to change everything at once. Start with one or two simple routines and build from there.
- Be flexible – Routines should be flexible enough to accommodate life's inevitable surprises. If something comes up that means you can't stick to your usual routine, don't worry about it. Just pick up where you left off the next day.
- Get everyone involved – Routines will only work if everyone in the family is on board. Involve your children in creating and following routines so that they feel ownership over them.
- Find what works for you – There's no right or wrong way to do things. experiment and find what works best for your family.
16 Toddler Routines You Can Try
Family routines
Getting family members involved in routines can help to make them more enjoyable and successful. Spending time together regularly can improve family life, so why not try to incorporate some family time into your routines? A simple family daily routine could include:
- Eating breakfast together: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so make sure everyone in the family sits down to eat together. Meal times are a great opportunity to catch up with each other and bond as a family.
- Family walk: A daily or weekly family walk is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise. It's also a chance to chat and spend time together.
- Spending time together after school: This is a great time to catch up on each other's day and spend some quality time together. Playing educational games, reading stories or just chatting are all great ways to bond as a family.
Bedtime routines
Daily routines can help to wind down children before bed, making it easier for them to fall asleep. A bedtime routine could include:
- Having a bath: A warm bath can help to relax the body and mind, preparing children for sleep. When you create a routine around bathtime, children will know that it's time to start winding down for the night. This routine could also include brushing teeth and getting into pyjamas.
- Reading stories: Reading stories together is a great way to bond as well as help children wind down before sleep. To make your storytime routine even more memorable and engaging, why not include puppets in storytime? Not only can hand puppets help your child process the emotions and events of their day, but they can also be great fun!
- Saying goodnight: Saying goodnight to family members is a reassuring way to end the day. Having a hug or cuddle can also help children to feel safe and secure, promoting a restful night's sleep.
Morning routine
A morning routine can have a significant impact on a child's life. Not only can it help them to start the day in a positive frame of mind, but it can also set them up for success. A typical morning routine could include:
- Waking up at the same time everyday: As we mentioned, having a regular wake-up time helps to regulate the body's natural sleep cycles, making it easier to wake up and start the day. Make waking up a positive experience by including some gentle stretching or setting aside a few minutes for a cuddle!
- Getting dressed: Getting dressed in the morning can be a fun way to start the day. You can help your child prepare in advance for this routine by helping them to pick out their clothes the night before so that they're ready to go in the morning.
- Activity tracking: By using a wall calendar or daily planner like this My Calendar Fabric Wall Chart every morning, children can start to understand the concept of time. This will help them to become more aware of days, months, dates and the weather. It's also a great way to help them get used to planning their time effectively.
Educational routines
Routines can also be used to help children learn and develop new skills. A routine that includes some learning time can be a great way to start the day, or it could be used as a wind-down activity in the evening. Creating an educational routine at the same time every day can be particularly useful for aiding your child's development. A learning routine could include:
- Practising spelling words: If your child is struggling with their spelling, why not help them to practise at home with a creative spelling game or kit? You could start by writing out a list of words for them to practise, or you could use flashcards to help them learn the correct spelling. Alternatively, try our exciting Fish N Spell educational game!
- First maths: A regular maths routine is a great way to help children learn their first maths skills. You could start by teaching them to count to 10, or you could introduce simple addition and subtraction problems with a First Maths Kit to really help them learn.
- Learning to tell the time: Telling the time is a valuable life skill that all children should learn. You can help your child to practise at home with a simple clock or watch. You can learn exactly how to teach children to tell the time in our handy guide.
- Tracking achievements with a star chart: A Fabric Star Chart is a great way to encourage positive behaviour and track your child's achievements. You could use a star chart to reward special events and good behaviour, such as completing their bedtime routine or eating all of their dinner, or educational achievements, such as learning a new letter or number.
Play routines
Learning through play is a great way for children to explore the world around them. A play routine can help you connect and grow with your child, whilst also providing some valuable learning opportunities. A play routine could include:
- Imaginative play: This type of play allows children to use their imaginations to explore the world around them. It can help them to make sense of their experiences and create a unique way of looking at the world. Finger puppets are a great way to encourage imaginative play.
- Arts and crafts: Creative Craft Kits are a great way to encourage creativity and self-expression. They also help children to develop their fine motor skills as they cut, paste and paint. Incorporating a daily routine of arts and crafts time can really help to boost your child's creativity and imagination.
- Outdoor play: Getting some fresh air is a great way to start the day. Outdoor play also provides many opportunities for learning, such as problem-solving, gross motor skills and socialisation.
Looking For Creative and Educational Toys To Improve Your Daily Routines?
Routines are a great way to help children learn new skills, develop positive behaviours, and connect with the world around them. By incorporating some simple routines into your day-to-day life, you can really help your child to thrive.
If you're looking for some creative and educational toys to help your child develop new skills and build mastery in their routines, why not check out our range of toys? We've got everything from puppet theatres to arts and crafts supplies, all designed to help your child learn, play and grow.