Benefits of a Daily Routine for Your Preschooler

Routine is a huge part of your preschooler’s development. Check out our article “Create a Visual Daily Schedule for Your Preschooler” for information on how to create an awesome routine you and your preschooler will love. What are the benefits of having a daily routine for your preschooler?

HEALTHY MIND

Routine can create a sense of security in your preschooler, who may be feeling a little anxious. Preschool can be an overwhelming time, where a child is in the beginning stages of learning about the world, and things can feel very out of their control. Having a routine can bring some of that control back.

Children that have a routine also tend to be able to identify and control their emotions in a healthier way, because they have learned to adapt to everyday expectations, and handle stress. Knowing what to expect gives your preschooler a chance to emotionally prepare for it, and figure out how they want to handle it.

Routine isn’t all about writing out schedules. It’s also important that your preschooler knows what to expect from you. If you aren’t consistent in your behaviors around your preschooler, it can lead to confusion. No, we don’t mean you have to act exactly the same all the time. We just mean that if you sing a special song to your preschooler every night before bed, it’s probably not a great idea to suddenly stop doing so.

If you need to change up your routines, talk to your preschooler and let them know about the changes. Maybe the two of you can come up with something that works better for you, rather than giving something up entirely? Talking to your preschooler about these changes can teach them about flexibility and compromise.

HEALTHY BODY

When preschoolers have a routine it’s easier to be sure their needs are being met properly. If your preschooler goes to bed at a different time every night, and you’re struggling to get breakfast done in time in the morning, a routine might be your best friend.

Imagine. You put your preschooler to bed at 7:30pm sharp and sing your bedtime song, then at 6:30am you wake up your well rested preschooler and show them what’s on the schedule for the day.

You’re making your preschooler’s favorite…french toast, because that’s your Saturday morning ritual. Your preschooler is in the other room picking out the book you’re going to read together after breakfast because they know story time is next and they can’t wait!

Your preschooler plays and does arts and crafts until you tell them lunch is ready at 11:30pm.

After lunch you’ve scheduled some time for learning, and then some time to play outside.

It’s Saturday, so you put dinner together in the crock pot while your preschooler played this morning, and it’s ready just in time for 5:00pm dinner.

It’s not on the schedule but you sit down on the couch after dinner and hold your preschooler tight while you watch his favorite cartoon until 7:00, when it’s time to take a bath, brush our teeth, and go to bed…and don’t forget the bedtime song!

HAPPIER YOU

When your preschooler has a routine, and is able to master sticking to a schedule, the extra happiness will come in the form of extra time for fun! You’re no longer stressing about what you’re going to do for the day, or when you’re going to do it.

You already know, you already got it done, and now it’s time to grab your preschooler and head to playground for a couple hours because you have a little extra free time on your hands. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying all the benefits of a daily routine for your preschooler!