Create a special ‘summer schedule’! It doesn’t have to be as strict as the rest of the school year’s routine but as a Early Childhood Consultant, I’ve observed that children respond well to structure and predicting what is expected next.
Discuss with your child all the things to include in the schedule. If they are old enough, you can even create a schedule together. For example, you may want to include mealtimes, playtimes, rest times, washing hands before meal, using the toilet after meals, watching a show, free time, craft time and when it’s time to go to bed. Give your children (and yourself) adequate time for each. This is where you can cleverly stretch some of the times out if you know it takes a little longer for them to transition from outdoors to indoors or transitioning from playtime to getting ready for bed. Use visuals to add in actual/approximate times and use a timer if you have too. Remember to be flexible with in the scheduled times but it’s important to keep to the schedule so children know that you mean it and to take it seriously. Adjust the schedule as needed as you go along and update children when you do so. I’ve observed young friends who have come over to homes where the family goes by a summer schedule and the friends love it and follow along too.
Discuss with your child all the things to include in the schedule. If they are old enough, you can even create a schedule together. For example, you may want to include mealtimes, playtimes, rest times, washing hands before meal, using the toilet after meals, watching a show, free time, craft time and when it’s time to go to bed. Give your children (and yourself) adequate time for each. This is where you can cleverly stretch some of the times out if you know it takes a little longer for them to transition from outdoors to indoors or transitioning from playtime to getting ready for bed. Use visuals to add in actual/approximate times and use a timer if you have too. Remember to be flexible with in the scheduled times but it’s important to keep to the schedule so children know that you mean it and to take it seriously. Adjust the schedule as needed as you go along and update children when you do so. I’ve observed young friends who have come over to homes where the family goes by a summer schedule and the friends love it and follow along too.
Contact or learn more about Julie Romanowski - Mother, Coach, Leader, Educator, Author, Speaker & founder of Miss Behaviour: parenting coach & consultant services.
www.missbehaviour.ca
778-996-6535
www.missbehaviour.ca
778-996-6535
