Attending day care and preschool are important steps in early childhood development. While participating in activities, children learn how to socialize with peers while improving their fine and gross motor skills. Having each day mapped out also introduces kids to keeping a schedule. The guide below explains how to help create a routine for your children and why it matters. 

Why Schedules Are Important for Kids

Young children don’t understand the concept of time, so they organize a day through a series of events. They also take comfort in the routine. When kids expect to be woken up in the morning, driven to day care, and get picked up afterward, they feel more secure. With that security comes a sense of confidence.

In day care and preschool, kids take naps, play games, participate in storytime, and eat snacks according to a schedule. This teaches them how to make predictions and introduces them to the concept of before and after. When children develop a routine, they also become more accountable—since there are often responsibilities involved with each task. 

How to Create a Schedule & Stick to It

Many kids are visual learners, so create a diagram that outlines the typical schedule of events for the day. You can draw pictures of waking up in the morning, playing with toys in day care, eating dinner with the family, and going to bed at night.

Place the pictures in chronological order, marking each with a number. This can include the ritual of turning off electronics before dinnertime or reading a story to unwind before bed. You can also provide countdowns to activities, such as 10 minutes to complete breakfast before getting ready for school, to introduce youngsters to the concept of time.

If you are looking for a reputable child care center in the Lincoln, NE, area, contact the professionals at Merry Manor School Of Childhood. The educators provide parents with daily sheets of day care and preschool activities, including when their children nap and eat, as well as a general overview of the day. Find out more about their programs online, call (402) 466-2215 to discuss enrollment, or share feedback on Facebook.