Toddler child care daily schedule: How to create daily schedules for your childcare classrooms

Use This Sample Schedule With Kids with ADHD / ADD

All parents of children with ADHD have heard the routine about routines: Kids need structure, and children with attention deficit need even more. The keys to getting the ADHD organization help you need: belief in the power of family routines and a long-term commitment to them.

You’ve heard it before: Set up a morning routine for kids with ADHD to get out the door on time. Make sure homework happens at the same time and in the same setting daily. Do something fun to unwind before a regular bedtime.

On paper, this seems pretty basic. But when you’re raising a child with real attention difficulties in the real world, setting and maintaining such routines can seem downright hopeless. Yet there is hope — even happiness — in sight.

Many well-intentioned parents enthusiastically start out to establish the structure their children need. Yet many throw in the towel after a few weeks (or even a few days) because the routines are not working. “Billy just won’t listen. He doesn’t want to go along with it. Every day becomes a battle, and we’re all worn out. Is there something else we can try?”

Usually, trying to implement a daily schedule doesn’t work because parents give up too soon. To make structure truly effective, routines need to be seen and implemented not just as simple behavioral strategies, but as a way of life.

[Get These Free Sample Schedules for Reliable Family Routines]

The Benefits of Putting Your Child on a Schedule

Routines affect life positively on two levels. In terms of behavior, they help improve efficiency and daily functioning. It may not always be obvious, but children want and need routines. A predictable schedule offers structure that helps kids feel safe and secure. By building one, you send a message that says, “This is how we do things.” Routines make daily activities manageable, allowing your child to focus on one thing at a time.

In addition, your whole family will benefit psychologically from a structured regime. Both parents and children experience decreased stress when there’s less drama about what time you’ll eat dinner and where you’ll settle down to do homework.

What follows is a relaxed home, which yields stronger family relationships. And family identity is solidified by routines in which everyone plays a role (Anna sets the table, Brian clears the dishes). The message: We are a family who eats together; we are a family who reads together; we are a family who schedules regular times for schoolwork and other ongoing responsibilities.

In these hectic times, it may seem impossible to provide a structured lifestyle. Everyone is juggling schedules: work, school, recreation, music lessons, basketball practice, and so on. Yet in just such times, structure becomes most important. The payoff: greater productivity for your child, as well as better health and family relationships.

[Click to Read: How Can I Develop Routines to Keep My Life from Falling Apart?]

A review of 50 years of psychological research, recently published in Journal of Family Psychology, shows that even infants and preschoolers are healthier and exhibit better-regulated behavior when there are predictable routines in the family.

Effective routines take commitment and consistency, with all family adults presenting a united front. Routines should be established when children are young and applied consistently as they grow — but it’s never too late to start. Above all, don’t give up.

Here are suggestions and some sample routines to help get you started. Of course, you’ll want to amend them to suit the age and maturity of your child, the specific behaviors you are working on, and your family’s personality and needs. As you develop your routines, remember that success takes time — sometimes months and years. But the benefits will last a lifetime.

Good Mornings Start with Your Child’s Schedule

The goal of the morning routine is to get everyone ready and out the door on time. Preparations made the night before, such as bathing, packing bookbags, laying out clothes, setting the alarm, and making lunch, are crucial in setting up a smooth morning routine.

Because many children (and adults) with ADHD are highly distractible and impulsive, avoid stimuli that are likely to grab attention and throw the routine off course. For example:

1. Leave the TV off in the morning.
2. Don’t get on the computer to check your e-mails.
3. Ignore that new magazine or catalog until after school or later that evening.

After School Schedule: Homework Helpers

It’s often said that the only consistent thing about children with ADHD is their inconsistency. This is particularly problematic when it comes to academic effort. No activity demands greater structure and consistency than homework, when a child’s ability to self-regulate is called upon. Not surprisingly, parent-child homework battles are common. But an established study routine (time, place, methods) goes a long way toward decreasing their frequency and intensity – if not eliminating them entirely. To establish a homework routine that will improve productivity and increase academic achievement:

• Enforce a consistent start time. This will help your child build a homework habit.
• Stay close to your child. Many children with ADHD concentrate better when an adult works with them or is nearby.
• Take breaks. Distractibility, restlessness, difficulty maintaining concentration, and low frustration tolerance — all typical of ADHD — almost guarantee mental fatigue and boredom. Frequent short breaks, during which the child is allowed to move around, can help.
• Have fun afterward. Your child is more likely to apply herself to homework when she knows that a fun activity, such as playing a game or watching TV, will follow.

A Consistent Dinnertime Schedule

For hundreds of years, family members have forged strong relationships around the dinner table. In this age of the Internet and TV movies on demand, a dinner ritual is still beneficial, if not crucial. While most mealtimes last only about 20 minutes (less time than a TV sitcom), a lot of good things can happen in that short time. Ideally, mealtimes should be a pleasant social time, with business, school, or family problems left off the table. It takes time and work to prepare a family meal, and it can be a hassle getting everyone together at one time, but you’ll find the benefits are well worth the effort:

• Family members stay connected to one another’s lives.
• Events are discussed and plans get made with everyone’s input.
• Responsibility and family cohesion are encouraged by such simple acts as children setting the table and cleaning up afterwards.

Good Nights Begin with a Bedtime Routine

Your goal at bedtime is to help your child wind down and get to sleep at a usual time. Research shows that children with regular bedtime routines get to sleep sooner and awaken less often during the night than those without them. Many children with ADHD fight bedtime because, quite simply, going to bed is boring to them. It’s time for sleep, but there’s still so much they can do! Routines that offer rewards and pleasant activity while encouraging relaxation can help overcome the boredom of bedtime. Some things to try:

• Have a light, healthy snack, like an apple or cheese on a rice cake.
• Play a quiet, low-stakes game, or read a book.
• Have a sweet and personal nightly lights-out ritual.
• Try to get your child into bed at the same time each evening.

There’s no question that establishing family routines takes a great deal of time and effort. You may ask yourself, “Can we afford the time and the energy to do all of this?” A better question might be, “Can we afford not to?”

[Read This Next: If Your Mornings Are Hell, Read This]

ADHD Organization Help: A Sample Schedule

7:00 a.m. Tickle your child out of bed. (A little happy energy can get her up and moving quickly.)

7:05 a.m. Get ready: Post a list and have your child stick to it.

• Wash face.
• Comb hair.
• Get dressed. (Clothes are laid out the night before. ) Check to see how your child is doing, but let her follow the list and do for herself.

7:20 a.m. Breakfast time: Offer two healthy but appealing choices, max. You want her to spend her time eating, not pining over Lucky Charms.

7:45 a.m. Brush your teeth—together. Being with her can speed things up and insure good hygiene.

7:55 a.m. Zip, tie, and layer up. Keeping shoes and gloves by the front door spares you the hide-and-seek.

8:00 a.m. Out you go.

Sample Homework Routine

3:00 p.m. Have a snack and unwind from school.

3:30 p.m. Settle your child at his regular homework spot; be sure all tools are available (pencils, paper, calculator, reference books, etc.).

3:35 – 4:30 p.m. Your child does homework; you stay around to answer questions and monitor breaks (stretch, bathroom, drink).

4:25 p. m. Check his work, and calmly go over anything he should edit (but don’t do it for him). Offer specific praise for good work.

Sample Dinner Routine

6:00 p.m. Parent(s) starts food prep. Organize preparation so that you can avoid the delay of mealtime.

6:15 p.m. Kids set the table. Give them specific tasks to instill a sense of responsibility.

6:30 p.m. Kids pour the beverages.

6:45 p.m. Parent(s) brings the food out to the table.

7:00 p.m. Dinner is served. For mealtime talk, try this: Go around the table—once or more—and have each person share one good thing about his or her day.

7:30 p.m. Kids clear the table. Parent(s) loads the dishwasher.

Sample Bedtime Routine

8:00 p.m. Let him relax in the tub. You can read to him or he can read to himself. Beyond cleanliness, a bath can help a child mellow out at day’s end.

8:20 p.m. Three-part routine: dry off, brush teeth, and pee. You don’t want to hear, “Mom, I have to go to the bathroom!” five minutes after you say goodnight.

8:30 p.m. Get into PJs and clean up toys to set a nighttime, not a playtime, scenario.

8:40 p.m. Read together.

8:55 p.m. Your child gets into bed. Do your nighttime routine: Talk a little about the day, compliment your child on the things he did well, say your ritual goodnight — “I love you all the way to the moon and back again. Don’t let the bedbugs bite.”

[Download This Guide: Organize Everything Today!]

Peter Jaksa, Ph.D., is a member of ADDitude’s ADHD Medical Review Panel.

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Montessori Toddler Daily Routine | Montessori Academy Childcare

The toddler routine outlines the typical daily flow for children aged two to three years in the Montessori toddler community.   It provides a consistent pattern of activities for learning time, meals, rest, and outdoor play. The predictability of the routine helps children to feel secure and positively influences their emotional, cognitive, and social development. The toddler daily routine is adapted to meet children’s needs, support emerging interests, and nurture the development of each child’s personality and intelligence.

Daily Routine for Ages 2-3

Morning Routine

7:30am – 9am

Centre opens

Morning greeting

Montessori Work Cycle

Mid-Morning Routine

10am – 12:00pm

Communal morning tea

Outdoor play

Group time

Lunch Routine

12:00pm – 12:40pm

Lunch time

Socialising

Clean up

Sleep or Rest Time

12:40pm – 2:30pm

Sleep time

Rest time

Quiet activities

Afternoon Routine

2:30pm – 4:30pm

Communal afternoon tea

Outdoor play

Pack up time

Evening Routine

4:30pm – 6:00pm 

Late afternoon snack

Indoor activities

Centre closes

About the Toddler Routine

• The daily routine may be altered to accommodate for seasonal changes, wet weather, and special events
• Spontaneous groups times occur throughout the day
• Educators plan learning experiences for each day (these are displayed on the curriculum planning sheets in your child’s classroom)
• We seek to accommodate each child’s individual eating and sleeping schedule
• All Montessori Academy childcare centres are sun-safe and allergy aware
• A record of your child’s day is communicated to you via our family communication app

A Typical Day in the Toddler Community

Morning Routine

Montessori Academy opens at 7:30am. Upon arrival, please remember to sign your child in and place their bag and belongings in their locker. Children need a labelled water bottle, hat, and spare set of clothes each day. If your child attends a non-catered centre, they will also need a healthy packed lunch.

When you are ready to enter the classroom, please knock on the door, and wait for an educator to greet your child. Older children are encouraged to knock on the door once they have been introduced to the Grace and Courtesy Curriculum. Please say goodbye at the door to minimise disruption to the class.

Montessori Work Cycle

Once your child enters the classroom they will begin the Montessori Work Cycle. Children may choose to work individually, with an educator, or in a small group setting.

Students are encouraged to learn by moving, follow their interests, and pack away before they proceed with the next activity. Learning is individually paced and based on each child’s developmental needs and interests.

Mid-Morning Routine

Around 10am, the Montessori Work Cycle concludes, and children enjoy a nutritious morning tea from a rotating menu of fresh fruit, muffins, cereal, healthy slices, and sandwiches accompanied by milk.

The children then go outside to play and engage in activities that encourage their physical development and fundamental movement skills. Children practice ball skills, running and jumping, play in the sandpit, engage in collaborative play, and participate in games, music, and dancing activities.

Group Time

After outdoor play, the children participate in group time which typically includes planned activities based on children’s interests.

Group time activities may include language activities, group interest projects, lessons in grace and courtesy, walking on the line, art and craft, or music and movement.

Throughout the day children participate in both planned and spontaneous group time experiences.

Lunch and Rest Time

Around 11:30am, the children settle in for the lunchtime routine. Lunch is a social time, where educators encourage talking about different types of food and table manners. Lunch is also a great time to practice skills such as spooning, tonging, and using a fork. At the end of the meal, children pack away their own plates or lunch boxes, scrape food waste into the bin, and assist with tidying up the room.

After lunch, children sleep or have quiet rest time. The room is darkened and quiet sleep music lulls the children into a restful sleep. Children sleep or rest on floor beds. Quiet activities are available for children who do not sleep.

Afternoon Routine

Around 2:30pm, the children begin to wake up, and communal afternoon tea is served. This is typically fresh vegetable sticks and dip, sandwiches, cheese and crackers, yoghurt, wraps, fresh fruit, or healthy muffins accompanied by water.

Once children have finished eating, they participate in outdoor play. Children follow their interests, explore the outdoors, and participate in individual and group learning experiences that foster social skills and fundamental movement skills.

Evening Routine

In the late afternoon, from around 5:00pm onwards, children return inside and begin winding down for the day. During this time, children engage in open-ended play, using building blocks, construction pieces, or animal figurines. Children also have a late snack.

At 6pm, all children have returned home with their families. The childcare centre is thoroughly cleaned and prepared for the next day. Throughout the day families will receive updates about their child’s day via our family communication app.

development, care, sleep, doctors and vaccinations

Young mothers do not yet have sufficient experience in caring for a newborn, so this article will be of help in establishing a baby’s daily routine. Of course, one should not expect strict adherence to the schedule, but one should strive for a systematic approach.

Features of the first month of a child’s life

For experienced mothers, everything is clear right away: the baby needs sleep, during which his body adapts to new living conditions and grows. The baby will sleep for 16-18 hours a day. In fact, a newborn baby wakes up only for eating. If he sleeps in diapers, then a wet diaper does not disturb him. Sleeps and eats, sleeps and eats – in any conditions. Mom also needs rest during this period to restore the body after childbirth.

The still developing nervous system of a child in the first months of life cannot help him in self-organization for sleep and rest, therefore, the mother takes full responsibility for the daily routine.

Why does a baby need a daily routine

Among foreign pediatricians, there is an opinion that the newborn himself will establish the sleep and feeding regimen he needs. You can walk with him at any time after feeding. For example, some children cannot go 6 hours without food at night and wake up in the middle of the night. It is not necessary to ignore this practice: it will be a strong blow for the child’s nervous system. If the child asks for food in the middle of the night, you need to provide him with breast milk or formula.

Domestic pediatricians (especially those of the Soviet school) are sure that the baby should be taught to the daily routine from the first hours of life. This will help his body quickly adapt to new living conditions.

Proponents of an organized daily routine emphasize that a child is taught discipline from the cradle. This helps him in later life, and parents with an obedient baby are much calmer.

Daily routine of the first months of life

Daily routine benefits:

• The baby’s gastrointestinal tract has time to fully digest and assimilate mother’s milk;
• the child becomes calmer, not nervous, sleeps better;
• you can plan your walks during the day;
• Mom gets free time.

But the most important advantage of the established daily routine is the accustoming of the newborn to the daytime lifestyle. If this is not done, the baby will set its own schedule of sleep and wakefulness, and will switch to a nocturnal lifestyle. Young parents often face such a problem: during the day the baby sleeps, and at night there is no sleep in one eye.

There is nothing difficult in organizing a child’s daily routine, you just need to find a compromise between his desires and mother’s capabilities.

Day and night sleep

In the first month of life, a newborn child does not distinguish between day and night, and his sleep at this time is absolutely the same. Adapting the baby to the daytime and nighttime is the task of the parents. During the day, a child can sleep in a row for 4 hours or only 40 minutes. Often the longest sleep occurs during the daytime, and not at night.

Note to moms! Make sure that the period of wakefulness of the baby between sleeps does not exceed 50-60 minutes.

At night, the child will definitely wake up for the next meal, be prepared for this. As you get older, nighttime sleep will increase. With complementary foods, the baby will eat up even more, which will ensure a good sleep for up to 9-10 hours (in diapers or on a special waterproof diaper).

Why can a child confuse day with night? This is due to an immature biological clock. Try not to turn on bright lights in the evening, but leave a nightlight: let the child get used to the difference between a bright day and a dark night.

To quickly adapt the baby to the day and night rhythm of life, perform the same rituals in the morning and before bedtime. For example, taking a bath before going to bed at night will help him understand that this is a special time.

In the morning after waking up, wash the baby, carry out light hygiene procedures. Over time, he will get used to the alternation of rituals and begin to recognize day and night.

Bathing

Water procedures are a daily ritual. After a bath and delicious milk, the child falls asleep faster and sleeps longer. Bathing cannot be compared to washing, which refers to the removal of impurities. Bathing is a full-fledged water procedure, akin to a sauna for adults. In the old days, our great-grandmothers prepared a bath with infusions of medicinal herbs that looked after the baby’s skin and calmed the nerves.

The cosmetics industry is coming to the rescue of moms these days. The My Sunshine® brand produces hypoallergenic products for bathing babies from birth. Be sure to purchase these newborn care products.

This product is gentle on baby’s delicate skin. The sequence is known for its cleansing and healing properties. If a child had a rash on his skin, he was bathed in a bath with an infusion of string. The foam does not dry the skin, is hypoallergenic and does not sting the eyes. Simply add to water or apply to body wash sponge.

The tender places of the child should always be clean so that the skin does not become irritated. The My Sunshine® line of products includes a special washing gel with lactic acid. Gel without fragrances and dyes. It does not dry baby skin, does not cause irritation.

Many mothers are concerned about the reddening of the skin in the folds on the arms and legs of the child. This irritation brings a lot of trouble to the child, it is painful. To prevent the formation of diaper rash, use My Sunshine® cream powder. How is it different from other funds?

The creamy form promotes rapid absorption and even distribution of the powder over the skin: it does not roll into lumps. Immediately after application, the powder turns into a silky base that eliminates friction in the folds. The product is hypoallergenic, like all My Sunshine® cosmetics. All products are clinically tested and recommended by pediatricians.

How to organize your baby’s bed

The child spends all his time in the crib, so special attention should be paid to the arrangement of the bed.

• The crib should be free of pillows, toys, heavy blankets and bumpers. The place should be perfectly flat, moderately hard. Now they sell orthopedic mattresses that are ideal for babies.
• The room should not be hot. Summer temperature – up to +25C, winter – up to +23C. The kid will tolerate coolness better than overheating: he is dangerous with dehydration.
• Do not leave your child alone in a room at night. The ideal option is a crib next to mom. It is not recommended to lay babies next to adults; the baby should have his own bed.
• Put your baby to sleep on their back, this is the safest position in the crib.

Walks

A newborn should be accustomed to fresh air gradually during the first months of life, especially in winter. Walking time is gradually increasing, but they are watching the weather forecast. It is important not to overheat or overcool the baby. Pediatricians recommend starting walks from the tenth day of life. In summer they walk for 20 minutes, in winter – for 10 minutes. This is for starters.

Total

As you can see, it is not difficult to set the daily routine, because it consists of a sequence of repetitive actions:

• sleep;
• wakefulness;
• feeding;
• hygiene;
• walks;
• bathing.

But there is no binding to a specific hour for a one-month-old baby. Only by 3-4 months of life will a clearer daily routine be developed. At this age, the child already receives complementary foods and is better satiated, sleeps longer at night and wakes up in the morning for the first feeding.

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Philips AVENT – Essential tips for organizing your baby’s routine

Depending on your preference, your baby’s routine can be rigid or flexible.

A good routine is a schedule for your baby that takes into account and matches his sleep and feeding needs during the day and night. This means that you and the baby have a rough idea of ​​​​how the day should go, and you can plan your activities in such a way that the child is comfortable.

First perfect individual elements, and only then combine them into a single routine.

First of all, it is necessary to establish the process of breastfeeding. Frequent, heavy feedings in the morning for the first few weeks will provide your baby with the amount of milk he needs. At first, feed often and on demand. Further, if you feed the baby tightly, the intervals between feedings can be increased. This will make it easier for you to follow the entered routine and will not affect the regularity of the flow of milk.

Proper sleep patterns are an important part of your daily routine.

In this case, it will be easier for you to first develop a sleep schedule, and only then start scheduling. Getting your baby to sleep is important not only for the organization of the routine, but also for the well-being of the whole family.

When your baby wakes up, start the day with a feed.

Depending on the age of the baby, he may doze off an hour or two after the first awakening.

Bathe your baby regularly in the early evening.

For babies aged 2-3 months, bathing, massages, feedings, familiar soothing lullabies and surroundings will signal it’s bedtime and end the day well.

Learn to recognize when your baby is tired.

For children under 6 months of age, the average awake time is 90 minutes. Use this value to determine when your baby is tired. If you start putting your baby to bed too soon or too late, he may resist. In the first weeks, newborn babies may stay awake only during feeding (no more than 45-60 minutes), and then fall asleep again.

Feeding times

If your baby has 3-4 hour intervals between feedings, try to feed him early in the morning, late in the morning, at lunchtime, in the early evening and late in the evening.