This is a collaborative post
Getting your little one off to school can be one of the most rewarding yet challenging experiences you ever encounter, if not for the child, then for sure as a parent. Therefore, a normal morning routine is among the best ways whereby you can easily create an absolutely hassle-free start of the school day. This lets one run out the door in time and then set a positive note for the rest of your day. So here is what you need to do.
The Importance of a Morning Routine
A typical morning routine provides children, especially younger ones, with a great deal of structure and predictability. Less anxiety and resistance are presented for the parent since the child knows what to expect in the mornings; hence, easier transitions. Less chaos occurs for the parent with the enforcement of a morning routine. There is also an opportunity to have more relaxed, peaceful starts to the day without last-minute scrambling.
Kids like routines because they are comforting. Provided children know what’s coming next, they will be much more likely to cooperate-they won’t get frustrated with whatever comes next. The well-structured morning routine will also help develop independence as children learn to do things on their own, from tooth-brushing to packing a backpack.
Devise a Bedtime Routine
Well, a good morning does indeed start the night before. First, set up a regular bedtime routine so that your child gets enough sleep. That way, they will awake feeling fresher and are more likely to be able to concentrate. If possible, try to get them early to bed and get the recommended amount of sleep for their age group, usually 10-12 hours of sleep for young children.
Unwind by practicing a relaxing routine before going to bed so that your body prepares you for sleep. Try reading a book, a warm bath, or other deep breathing activities to be able to easily doze off to sleep. As a matter of fact, after a good night’s sleep, it becomes very easy to wake up the following morning and have a really smooth start in the morning.
Wake Up at the Same Time Daily
Try making it habitual to wake up at exactly the same time every day, early enough so they can get comfortably ready without bothering to hustle and bustle. Try making it habitual to wake up at exactly the same time every day, in a way that the body clock can realize it so that the sleep cycle can be regulated accordingly.
Make mornings friendlier by using a gentle alarm clock which can be used to wake the children. Some other innovative ways can be the use of a wake-up light that simulates sunrise, So a child wakes gradually and gets up refreshed. It can also be used to slowly arouse an individual out of bed so that he does not spend any unnecessary time in bed.
Creating a Visual Schedule
A visual schedule can be very useful for young children who often forget what they need to do while getting ready in the morning. You should prepare daycare labels and a checklist of the above tasks in the order that they should be completed. You can add other simple tasks that your child will understand, such as brushing teeth, dressing, eating breakfast, and packing their backpack.
Add pictures or icons for each task so it’s more interesting and they can be more easily understood if your children are younger. Place the schedule in a visible location like on the bathroom mirror or on the refrigerator. Let them have the responsibility of checking off each task as they finish it; it gives them a sense of satisfaction and helps them keep track.
Get Ready the Night Before
A great way to make things go more smoothly in the morning is to take time the night before to get ready. You can lay out what your child’s going to wear, pack their lunch, and have their backpack ready. And it’s good when kids have a part in this process; that is going to teach them to be responsible about things concerning them.
You can also get a few breakfast items ready the night before, like setting a table or putting out a grab-and-go sort of breakfast, such as overnight oats. This will definitely cut down on morning decision-making and guarantee that your kid has a healthy start.
Give Them Extra Time
Where toddlers go, the havoc eventually follows. This is in the way that it is not too smart to add just the tiniest bit of extra time for unexpected delays. It wont stress you out: the missing shoe or the sudden urge to go to the bathroom will fit things that happen into a more relaxed morning with that time cushion.
If you find that every morning is a rush, then get up just 10-15 minutes earlier than usual. You will be surprised how it makes a big difference in really getting the morning started so everybody gets off on a good note.
Keep the Mood Light
Finally, create a warm and encouraging morning atmosphere. Greet your child each morning with a smile, and use plenty of positive encouragement to get them moving. Try not to nag or hurry them about getting up and out. This can be stressful for both of you.
You can make the morning routine more pleasant with soft music or a light conversation. In case your child is facing difficulties regarding a particular thing, guide him or her gently and feature his struggle; this will boost their confidence about further cooperation.
Inference
A regular routine that follows in the mornings is a way of giving a child an easier and less problematic starting of a school day. Get them ready for the morning routine with preparation, consistency, and positivity. If you follow these steps, bring down their stress levels and increase their success rate. Train on patience and flexibility; it is all you need most for an easy morning routine—building up and working out how to go best for your family. You will discover that through practice over time, your child will start to make mornings, which can be a far more self-assured experience for everyone involved.
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post