In the busy atmosphere of modern India, marked by multi-tasking parents and children, routine can make all the difference. From school to extracurricular activities, spending time with the family—having routines brings a semblance of order and predictability to life. For children, this structure is even more important in order to make them feel secure and reduce their anxiety. Imagine a child who knows exactly what to expect every morning when they get up for school and what the process is when it's time for bed. This familiarity can increase overall well-being.
First, easy and consistent routines should be established. Start with daily activities such as morning and bedtime routines and mealtimes. An example of a morning routine can be waking up at a certain time, followed by brushing teeth and having breakfast before getting ready for school. Again, here consistency creates fewer anxiety attacks and hence makes them feel in charge of their surrounding environment.
If your children have a say in planning, they're much more likely to follow through. Have a time with your child in which you talk about what must be done each day. For younger ones, this may be just about picking out which pair of pants or shirt to wear the next day, or which book to read before bed. For an older child, it could be planning time to do homework or deciding upon which chores to do. When children have a say in their routines, more likely than not, they will take ownership of their activities and feel responsible for everyday things.
Visual aids can prove very useful to young children. Together, you can make a picture schedule, which is a chart that represents each activity with pictures or icons. This in itself might be a fun little project. You can tape or pin it up high somewhere he'll see easily, such as on the fridge or in his bedroom. Visual reminders are good for letting a child remember his routine and know what's coming next.
Though consistency is key, there must be room for flexibility. Life can sometimes be unpredictable, and quite often, routine needs a little bending. You can explain to your child that while the routines are there, it's okay to break them slightly. For instance, if there is a family event or holiday, then the routines may bend a little. Flexibility helps them learn how to adjust to changes in plans without becoming overstressed or anxious.
A good bedtime routine is integral to the mental health of children. Wind them down with some soothing activity that will flicker in their minds that it really is time to go to bed. This can include simple things such as bathing, getting them to read a book, and then spending some calm time in bed. Avoid stimulating activities in particular, including screen time before bed. A regular bedtime routine helps young children smoothly transition from the day's activities to a sound night sleep, necessary for their general well-being.
Along with school and extracurricular activities, kids need time to slow down, have downtime, and play. Make sure there is time in your kid’s routine for free and unscheduled play and just plain old relaxation. Play is a critical factor in creativity, social, and emotional development; however, it also provides them with some time from structured activity to refuel and take a dent out of their stress.
As children grow older, their routines should be changed to help them become independent. Provide age-appropriate tasks that your child can do independently, such as packing their school bag, laying out dinner, or dressing themselves in clothes of their choice. Independent completion of tasks develops confidence and a sense of responsibility. These also aid in developing problem-solving skills and teach children how to manage time effectively.
Clearly communicate your expectations of routines with your child. Truly praise their effort and achievement, no matter how small, and reward, at times. The goal is intrinsic motivation and real self-awareness gained from the actual benefits reaped from following a routine.
From time to time, go through your child's routines and amend them if necessary. Work on bringing change to what is significant. The thing is, as children grow and change, their needs change accordingly, and their routines need to be regularly reviewed and changed if appropriate. Take this, for example: a study routine would look totally different for a primary school age child compared to a teenager. Go on killing old habits that might freaking jeopardize the benefits of the routine and in turn impact mental health.
They notice everything, so model the routine by living yours. Show them how it is that you allocated time daily for specific tasks and list your priorities. Noting that their own parents valued routines and followed through with them, children will do so likewise.