Benefits from finding, sticking to a routine
- col-kate-shumaker
- August 11, 2023
- 846
Call it what you want — routine, process, steps or something else. Doing the same things, in the same way, at about the same time each day is a routine to me. These things create structure in our lives no matter what age you are. As we gear up for back-to-school time, a lot of families are working to get back into routines after being more relaxed over the summer.
Routines offer a sense of security to children. Having predictability at certain points in each day gives them comfort and makes them feel safe. These feelings of safety and security can promote better behavior, increase social and emotional health, and reduce the risk of engaging in harmful activities.
Check out the information below for more about other benefits of routines and how to create effective routines for children of all ages in the morning, in the evening and for a family mealtime. Keep in mind these tips also can be used for teens.
Regular and consistent routines offer numerous benefits to children of all ages and their families. Read on for information about why daily routines are important and how to implement them.
Why kids need routines
While there are a number of benefits to having routines, one notable benefit is the sense of security and safety consistent routines can give to children.
Routines offer a sense of safety and security, teach time-management skills, promote adequate and quality sleep, and encourage healthy eating.
Plan your family’s routines by using our template at www.go.osu.edu/ourdailyroutines.
Ideas for implementing routines
Try having a set daily routine for each morning. A morning routine sets a tone of relaxation that can carry into the day.
Your morning routine does not need to be complex.
Setting a schedule for the simple day-to-day items like brushing teeth, eating breakfast, packing backpacks and walking to the bus is all that’s needed.
Type up or write out the routine. For younger children, include pictures. Post it somewhere everyone can see.
Routines are perfect for evenings too. Plan time for work (homework, chores) and play (screen time, reading, play time). Get ready for the next morning by making lunches, packing backpacks, laying out clothes and setting the breakfast table the night before.
Evening routines that include these items have double benefits. First, kids benefit by simply having the routine. Second, including tasks like laying out clothes and packing lunches makes the morning smoother.
Family mealtime is a must and can be part of each day’s routine.
Family mealtime does not have to be dinner but make an effort to have at least one meal together as a family each day.
Use family mealtime conversation starters to make the most of this time together. Ideas are available at https://thefamilydinnerproject.org/.
Get kids involved in meal prep and encourage routines like having them help with similar tasks to prepare the meal each night (set the table, mix the salad).
Enforce a no-devices-during-mealtime rule.
Plan meals using a common theme for each weeknight: pasta night on Mondays, chicken on Tuesdays, soup and salad on Wednesdays ... get creative!
I’m sending a special thank you to former colleague Joanne Fifner for the material in this article. It is from her blog article from Live Smart Ohio at https://livesmartohio.osu.edu/.
For more information about upcoming programs in family and consumer sciences, join the Coshocton, Holmes, Wayne Family and Consumer Sciences newsletter at https://holmes.osu.edu/program-areas/family-and-consumer-sciences/fcs-e-newsletter-food-family-finance. You also can follow the Holmes County OSU Extension on Facebook at @OSUEXTHolmes.
Kate Shumaker is an educator of family and consumer sciences for Ohio State Extension Holmes County. Reach her at shumaker.68@osu.edu or 330-674-3015.