Routines give children a sense of comfort, structure, and stability in the early years of their lives. Habits shape everyday activities, like getting up and going to bed, and are very important to a child’s growth. We’ll discuss why routines are important for kids and how a regular plan can help them.
Young children feel safe and stable when they are exposed routines at home or a Rockville daycare from a very young age. From waking up at the same time every day, to going to bed at the same time every night, these routines are very important for a child’s growth. Understanding the importance of habits for kids can play a key role in supporting their academic, social, and emotional development.
Routines boost self-esteem, encourage learning, improve communication, foster self-control, and spark curiosity. Simple routines, like saying goodbye to parents at drop-off, create predictable expectations, helping kids build emotional resilience.
Consistency in structure and routine allows youngsters to organize and integrate knowledge into their brains, gaining an understanding of how the world operates. Afterall, Children grasp the world through repetition and regularity.
Routines help parents handle the daily chaos, and they also help kids feel safe and learn how to do things on their own. Through routines, children also learn good habits, self-control, and how to organize their things. Children thrive on knowing what to expect throughout the day and feel a sense of control and accomplishment when they complete tasks as part of a consistent daily routine.
Consistent routines or activities that occur at the same time and in the same way every day bring comfort and a sense of security to young children. Knowing what will happen next, whether it is time to play, have some food, take a nap, or wait for a loved one to return, provides newborns and toddlers with security and emotional stability. It helps them learn to trust that loving adults will meet their needs. When children feel trusted and comfortable, they are able to do their “work,” which is to play, explore, and learn.
Routines are like directions; they tell kids what to do to reach a specific goal. Routines are useful for many reasons, but two of the most important are keeping kids healthy and safe and teaching them how to behave well. Children must wash their hands before a snack or hold an adult’s hand when crossing the street, among other rules.
Children meet more people as they grow up and start to learn how to connect with others in social situations. Routine exchanges like saying hello and goodbye and chatting with others help people learn how to get along with others. These exchanges also give us chances to help our kids improve their language skills.
While you might think playtime and mealtime is just a part of their day their Rockville day care, your kids are actual learning valuable social skills during these times. Young kids learn important social skills that will help them in school by using these tasks: talk, wait their turn, share toys, learn to wait, and help others.
Children can guess what will happen next when they have stable routines. This makes little kids feel good about themselves and in charge, like when their parents say, “It’s time for bed.” Would you like to brush your teeth now or after your clothes are on? Because your child knows what will happen next, routines can also help you reduce the number of “no’s” and behavior corrections you need to give them during the day: You must want a cracker. But now it’s time to clean up. Don’t forget that it’s snack time after cleanup.
Changes from one activity to another may be difficult for some children. From play to lunch, then to the store, then back home…and especially when it’s time to go to bed, it can be tricky. Routines, like going to bed at the same time every night, can help make changes easy. Some moms and dads get their kids ready for a change in activities by setting a timer or giving them a “5-minute warning.” Some people use a song, a book, or a special game. There are also special practices that can help a child go from one caretaker to the next.
Routines and rituals not only help kids adapt to change but also make the transition to parenthood smoother. Early parenting can be challenging and even strain a marriage, but maintaining traditions—like a date night or a special trip—can strengthen your bond. Incorporating cherished childhood habits, such as a favorite book or a Saturday morning breakfast tradition, can also ease the shift from being a couple to becoming a family.
For example, a consistent routine at bedtime, naptime, and mealtime helps set a child’s internal clock. If they hit the hay at the same time every night, as that time draws near, they’ll start feeling sleepy.
When children realize that Friday nights are for family movie nights, they eagerly anticipate the weekend and cherish the time spend together as a family. Life can be a bit overwhelming, but having a clear idea of what to expect can really help ease that stress. When a parent gets sick or the family relocates, kids can easily become stressed because their lives have turned upside down. Sticking to their daily routine helps soothe children in these unfamiliar situtations.
While maintaining a regular schedule is important, you still need to remain flexible. After all, without a bit of spontaneity, what would childhood be?
Parents should also know that their family’s morals and situation should guide their routines. Not every family will follow the same schedule, and what’s important to you might not be important to someone else’s family.
Most people have set times for meals, going to bed, doing housework, spending time with family, and playing. Don’t forget that the things you do every day will show your child what’s important to your family.
MCCA has been recognized by the Maryland State Legislature for its commitment to Montgomery County issued a quality programs and special needs child care Proclamation in 2016 to MCCA for its commitment to Montgomery County child care for more than 50 years. MCCA was also selected as a 2018 nonprofit finalist for a MOXIE Award for boldness and innovation
MCCA is the oldest nonprofit licensed child care provider in Montgomery County and started its work in 1968 as a Community Action Project of the War on Poverty. Recognizing the need for quality child care programs in their neighborhoods, a group of local activists formed an association to establish centers in Montgomery County that would serve a diverse population and establish high standards for child care. Now, more than 50 years later, MCCA’s dedicated and expertly trained staff continue their tradition of providing high quality child care and play-based education for children.
Families with school aged children who can afford their child care expenses during the school year often struggle to afford the all-day programs they need when school is out for the summer. The Richard Krampf Summer Adventures Scholarship Fund was established to help provide children a safe and stimulating place to spend their weeks when school is out. Please contact an MCCA Director for details on how to apply.