Toddlers need routines in their lives to help them feel secure and understand what to expect next. Establishing simple routines can help your toddler to create order.
Toddlers feel safe when their lives are predictable. Developmentally, they do not understand the concept of time passing so they measure their lives by the order of events in it. Creating a stable routine, even if it is just a rough one, helps toddlers to make sense of their world and develop a sense of security.
Routines for Toddlers with Working Parents
Toddlers who attend a daycare program already have some sort of a routine in their lives. Working parents can simplify their mornings by establishing a set routine. When toddlers know what to expect they are more cooperative and happy to do what is asked of them. Create a standard morning routine starting from the moment your toddler wakes up. This could be a simple as getting your toddler dressed and then feeding them breakfast. If you have time in the morning you could include some cuddle time with mom and dad or a story. Time schedules are not as important as the order that you do things in every day. Following the same order of events helps your toddler to understand what comes next.
Night time routines must be catered to fit your family’s needs and daily schedule. If things are a bit crazy immediately after picking your toddler up from daycare try and start with an established dinner and bedtime routine. Your toddler will begin to expect things to happen in a certain order and will be able to prepare themselves for bedtime when they know that it is going to happen after a story and a bath. If your toddler learns to expect bedtime to come following certain events they will fall asleep faster and establish better overall sleeping habits. It is much easier to be a working mother on a good nights sleep.
Routines for Toddlers with A Stay at Home Parent
As a stay at home mom with young children it is often difficult to establish a routine. Before your children start school, your daily routine is often so open that it can be overwhelming to bring order to it. A general routine can help your day go by smoother and help to prevent the tedium that many stay at home parents feel. Establish a simple morning routine. This could include getting dressed, eating breakfast, reading a story, and playing with toys. Try to run your errands at the same time each day, whether that is in the morning or afternoon. Make a commitment to leave the house at least once a day even if it is just to run to the grocery store or walking to a neighborhood park. It is easy to feel cooped up when you are in the house all day with young children. Getting out, no matter where it is, will help to break up the day for both you and your toddler.
Bedtime routines are one of the most important routines of the day and can be a great starting point if you are not used to having an established routine. Try to put your toddler to bed at around the same time each night and follow the same order of events before bedtime.
