With the impacts of COVID and the instability of much of our day-to-day life, setting routines with your children is even more important than ever. Routines carry structure, which is not only vital for social and academic development but also behavioural and neurological development. Routines enhance our bodies ability function well and rest well! Combined with a nutritional diet and exercise, this is the best way to optimize your child’s health and development.
Think of ways you can create, or improve on, structure and routines within your home. This can be as simple as having clear bed time routine and bed times. In my home I find that chore rosters save a lot of arguments each week. Each of my children know that jobs are fairly allocated, and what their jobs are on any given day. We also have routines for after school expectations, and this is written up in a colourful display in the kitchen.
If you would like support with the implementation of routines, Leading Lights staff are very happy to help. We know that new routines can take time to get everyone on board, and you may also be met with some resistance. We have strategies for this too. If you have school age children, get them involved in the routine creating process as this is a fun way to get everyone feeling motivated and ready to go!
