Routines and a child's well-being

Why should routines matter?

Having a daily routine is associated with positive developmental outcomes and is crucial for a child’s upbringing. The structure of predictability and stability benefits the physical, emotional, and cognitive growth in children, leading to healthier and more well-balanced individuals. More importantly, children with regular routines at home, develop self-regulation skills which enable them to adapt to everyday expectations and challenges. If we want children to thrive and grow, incorporating a routine to fit child, caregiver and parent is fundamental?

The important benefits of having a routine

1. When children know when and what to expect, it reduces their anxiety and stress levels and fosters a deeper sense of trust in their caregivers, helping them to feel more emotionally secure in general.
2. Ongoing healthy habits are motivated in children who have daily routines for personal hygiene, meals, and exercise time.
3. Time management skills and learning responsibility improve as children learn to prioritise tasks and allocate time for different activities.
4. Routines are repetitive actions that impact a child’s cognitive development, enabling improved memory and brain processing as well as better critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
5. A consistent bedtime routine signals to the child’s body when it’s time to wind down, fostering improved and adequate sleep patterns as well as better moods.
6. Constant decision-making can leave children feeling overwhelmed, which is why routines (decisions already made), reduce power struggles and provide a more stable home environment.
7. Designated, homework and study routines enable children to manage their educational responsibilities more effectively, resulting in better academic results.
8. Group activity routines encourage interaction with others, developing mutual support and cooperation, and improving teamwork and social skills in children.
9. Routines let children know what is expected of them, allowing them to take responsibility for completing tasks, which in turn develops their independence and self-confidence.  
10. Routines demonstrate control and stability, which encourages children to be more adaptable, developing their emotional resilience.

How do we establish routines?

• By ensuring we have consistent wake-up times.
• Morning hygiene routines help to set the tone for the day.
• Consistent family mealtimes where daily or important events are discussed provide perfect opportunities to spend quality time with each other and improve all-around communication.
• Designated daily routines and chores, let everyone in a household know what is expected of them and are beneficial in instances where office work, housework, schoolwork, or homework must be completed.
• Routine leisure activities during the week can be dependent on chores being completed but allow flexibility for activities like exercise, play, or quiet time spent together or alone.
• Nighttime routines are essential to ensure adequate sleep for children but may require some flexibility depending on individual needs.
• Consistent weekend routines can be established to incorporate some weekday requirements, but with a lot more flexibility for the family to spend quality time together or engage in fun activities.

Sticking to routines may be difficult if none have been established before. We may face unforeseen challenges or children struggling against routines, but firm and consistent reinforcement is beneficial for a child’s ability to manage their emotions when they experience stress. Children are more likely to show resilience when in a routine because their environment feels safe and comforting.

Moreover, routines can include dedicated time for reading, learning, and physical or creative activities, all of which further enhance cognitive development.

As caregivers and parents, developing a consistent daily routine is one of the most fundamental aspects we can offer, that ensures confidence, resilience, and success for our future leaders!

If you work in childcare and would like to see available jobs, Jobs in Childcare is the ultimate Childcare Employment Platform for finding your next role!