While children may seem like they’re always up for a change in plans, children actually need the consistency of a structured routine to flourish.
A schedule can be hard to accomplish as a stay-at-home parent. While you might have an ideal schedule in mind, it’s easy to give in to whatever you or your child wants at the moment.
Tantrums often result from inconsistent routines, and it’s understandable why. After all, why can’t you go to the movie theater since you did yesterday? Why can’t your child eat chicken nuggets for breakfast like he did on the weekend? Why should he take a nap today since he hasn’t had one for a few days?
This is where the advantage of a daycare schedule comes in! At Penguin Crossing Academy, we have a consistent daily and weekly schedule. Keep reading to learn how maintaining consistency benefits your child.
Reduces Your Child’s Anxiety
It’s normal to feel anxiety when you don’t know what will happen next–and the same is true for your child. But while adults handle anxiety by talking to a friend, checking their phone, or having a sweet treat, anxiety in children often looks like obstinance or tantrums.
Giving children a predictable, consistent routine reduces anxiety. When children know what to expect, they feel safe and secure. This helps them flourish and reduce resistance to authority and tantrums.
Gives Your Child a Sense of Control
While it might be counterintuitive, children feel in control of their environment when they have a schedule. They are more confident and engaged with playtime and learning.
Helps Your Child Feel Safe and Secure
Knowing that adults are in charge gives children a sense of safety and security. For example, it’s instinctive to push on the safety bar when you ride a roller coaster. Knowing the safety bar is secure eases your anxiety over the safety of the ride and helps you enjoy it. Similarly, children may push against the schedule, but this is really just them checking the “safety bar” of the schedule. Once they feel the security of the schedule, they won’t fight it.
Keeps Your Child Engaged in Learning
Children with a consistent routine are more likely to be engaged in learning. An unwavering schedule helps children be fully present in whatever activity they are doing. They won’t be anxious about what is coming next or if the teacher will change her mind on a whim.
Caution: Model Flexibility
Of course, be careful not to hold fast to a rigid routine. This isn’t good for children either! Delays and disappointments happen, and adults need to model the right response to flexibility.
How Can I Start a Routine?
Hopefully, you can see the benefit of a routine. But how can you start giving your child a routine?
Research shows the average time to form a new habit is about two months, so choose one or two things you know you want to be consistent about. For instance, television only after completing homework, or a set nap time.
Finally, don’t forget to be flexible. Modeling an appropriate response to inconvenience or a change in schedule influences how your child will respond to similar situations in the future.
Structured Routine at Penguin Crossing Academy
We understand the importance of a structured routine at Penguin Crossing Academy while occasionally giving flexibility for special events. Each classroom has its own daily routine that meets the needs and capabilities of the age group. The children enrolled in Penguin Crossing Academy can count on our teachers and staff to consistently teach from our curriculum calendars and provide outings that they can look forward to.
Penguin Crossing Academy is proud to offer an outstanding curriculum that is educational, fun, and prepares your child for kindergarten per state educational standards.
If you’re looking to give your child a head start in school, contact Penguin Crossing Academy today!
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