To some of us, routine feels monotonous and dull. To others, it is the one thing that makes us function as adults. However you feel about routines as an adult, it shouldn’t surprise you that they are extremely important to children.
In this guide, we’ll highlight some of the reasons why routines are important for children.
Benefits of creating a routine for your child
Routines lead to a feeling of consistency in your child’s life. Children, especially younger ones, thrive when there is a level of consistency and predictability in their lives. Here are some of the benefits your child will be able to enjoy when there are routines in their life:
- With a routine, your child will be able to perform seemingly boring tasks with greater ease. For example, they will be able to sleep well at their set bedtime, whether you need them to go down for an afternoon nap or the night.
- Routines lead to increased confidence and a sense of independence in children. When your child knows what to expect out of their day every day, they become more confident. Plus, when they can rely on their past experiences, they become more confident when performing the same activities without your help.
- You can use routines to ensure that your child has regular and healthy bowel movements. For example, if your child understands that they have to go potty every morning or evening, it will become a habit.
- Routines can lead to relaxed and calmer behavior in children. This is especially true when they get used to their routines. For example, if taking a bath and then going down for their afternoon nap is part of your child’s daily routine, you will have to deal with fewer tantrums and protests every day because your child will grow up with the understanding that this is just part of their day.
- Routines help your child develop greater self-control. When your child knows that they can only watch TV for 30 minutes before having to turn it off, they will learn that sometimes it is OK to stop having fun in favor of doing something less fun. With a routine, your child will be able to develop a balance between fun activities like entertainment and play and functional tasks like getting ready for bed or brushing their teeth.
- Routines help reduce stress in children. When your child has a predictable daily routine, they gain a sense of security and they know that they are in a loving environment. They won’t have to worry about “what if” scenarios and it will be easier for you to enforce the rules that you set. In this way, your child will understand what is expected of them and their stress levels will be much lower.
- Routines are important when you want to expose your child to healthier habits. When washing hands and brushing teeth become part of your child’s daily routine, it becomes more than just an organized way of doing things. Similarly, your child will be able to enjoy eating healthy, full meals every time. Over time, these activities will become part of who they are and they will carry these healthy habits with them throughout their lives.
- Routines are also important for parents because they help them remember important things. With a set routine, parents can keep track of important details. For example, you will be able to give medicine to your child on time, keep track of your child’s school work, or pick your child up from daycare or school on time.
- Routines lead to a less stressed household. It also creates opportunities for quality family time, which is important, especially in the foundational years of younger children.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, routines can be tremendously beneficial to the growth and development of your child. Start creating routines for your child right from when they are babies. This is because all children need some form of consistency in their lives as they grow and develop.
Routines can be tough in infanthood. However, they are important if you want to build a sense of normalcy. It is a way to get things done that will create a sense of security in your child.
