ROUTINES ~simplify your day

Recap & Tips

CHLDREN NEED SEVEN KEY INGREDIENTS TO FLOURISH

~If your child is missing just one it will affect their behavior.

1. You-the parent, to give them your unconditional love and guidance.
2. Sleep-adequate sleep or they will be irritable.
3. Nutrition- healthy, well balanced meals, not pumped up on sugar.
4. Exercise- plenty of opportunities to get rid of energy and to blow off steam.
5. Quality time, positive undistracted attention from you daily.
6. Communication- (open the dialogue) talk to your child and in a simple and clear way so they can hear you and understand you.
7. Routines, your child needs a safe and predictable environment.

ESTABLISH A ROUTINE FOR SLEEPING, EATING, CHORES AND PLAY TIME

~ The goal is to set up a sequence or order of events that happens on a regular basis.

1. Sleeping: have a consistent bed time, have a consistent nap time, create and enjoy a nice bed time routine, don’t give into their demands.
2. Eating: Eat at the same time every day at regular intervals; enjoy meal times together as much as possible.
3. Chores: Have set times for your child to take care of their responsibilities and plenty of time to do them. Follow the rule ‘chores before play’. Have realistic expectations of what your child is capable of doing.
4. Play time: Establish a schedule for play time, don’t over schedule their days, less is more, limit screen time, play outside every day and have times that your child can count on you to play with them.

GET EVERYONE ON THE SAME PAGE

~ Consistency can make or break your success.

1. Walk your child through the routine teaching them what you expect.
2. Make a chart for your child and hang it where everyone can see it.
3. Go over the routine with everyone that will be caring for your child.
4. To better communicate with your nanny, have a daily notebook where you both record any changes and have weekly meetings.