Your child's routine should be flexible and grow with them, allowing for new activities to be added as their needs and responsibilities change.
Routines should not be minute-by-minute schedules of everything that happens during the day; rather they should be a set of general activities that occur on a daily basis – a series of steps or milestones that mark your child's progress through the day.
Building too much structure into your routine will overwhelm your child and make it difficult for you and them to be consistent from day to day.
As you are building your child's routine, be sure to include these fundamental principles in your child's routine:
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Getting the right amount of sleep
The proper amount of sleep is a key contributor to a good day for your child, and most children don't get enough sleep.
Children who do not get enough sleep often become difficult to manage and throw tantrums.
Sleep-deprived children may also have difficulty interacting with others and performing well at school.
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Receiving the right amount of mental and physical stimulation
Let your child play and run around, encourage them to read, and limit the amount of TV they watch each day.
Reading with your child stimulates their imagination and helps them learn the nuances of speech.
Too much TV, however, can make your child difficult to manage, and may have a negative impact on their ability to sleep at night.
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Following good hygiene practices
The American Dental Association recommends that children brush their teeth after meals or at least twice daily.
Daily bathing and grooming also prepare your child for a lifetime of good hygiene.
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Eating on a consistent schedule
Meal times are the rhythm of your child's day.
Consistent meal times help physically and mentally prepare your child for the other activities that will occur during the day.
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Taking on the right amount of responsibility
Children love to help and imitate their parents, and increasing your child's level of responsibility as they grow helps build their self confidence.
Allow your child to take on small household tasks such as sorting clothes, clearing the dinner table and feeding pets.
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