[Michelle Farmer]

Creating a flowing routine that can start from the time they arrive into a step by step movement throughout the day made up of manageable time blocks.

[Gabrielle Ogilvie]

Do you have any tips or advice on creating and maintaining a daily schedule for children?<div>
</div><div>When creating and maintaining a daily schedule for children, it’s important to balance structured activities with flexibility. Consider incorporating routines for mealtimes, nap times, and transitions between activities. Plan a variety of activities that promote learning, play, and social interaction. Remember to allow for free play and exploration as well. Communicate the schedule to children and provide visual cues to help them understand and anticipate what comes next. Be adaptable and open to adjusting the schedule based on the children’s needs and interests.
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[Avery Hanneman]

I think the easiest way to create a daily schedule is to start with the concrete things that happen at the same time every day, for example, morning meeting, outside time(s), free play, activities, lunch, nap, snack and arrange them, then in any free space you can add in other activities or free play.

[Hafso Egal]

Creating and maintaining a daily schedule for children is essential for a smooth and productive day. Firstly, consistency is key. Stick to a consistent routine as much as possible, with set times for meals, naps, play, and learning activities. Secondly, be flexible and responsive to children’s needs. Sometimes, unexpected disruptions occur, and it’s important to adapt the schedule to accommodate these situations while still providing a sense of structure. Thirdly, involve children in the routine. Encourage them to participate in daily tasks like setting the table or cleaning up after playtime. Finally, communicate the schedule visually for older children, using pictures or a visual chart to help them understand and anticipate the day’s activities. Overall, a well-structured routine helps children feel secure and confident while promoting their development.

[Marissa]

surround your day with the amount of energy they have and need, maybe give preschoolers more outside time whole toddlers get a little less. Make sure that the children have the ability to learn during through art and science as well as sensory play

[Kaylie]

I think that the best way to keep a schedule is to have a physical schedule written out.

[Stephanie]

<div>I think it’s helpful to include the children in building a schedule/routine. It’s helpful to keep is simple and use visuals if you can. Make sure to be consistent with the schedule/routine and the kids will eventually get the hang of it.</div>

[ruthi mathis]

I keep morning routine with circle time and choice time together and closing circle/quiet transition time at end as a clear routine. Children help decide the next days activity for morning before snack. The schedule is predictable and we weave in song, music, art pre math, throughout the schedule.

[Eva]

Be sure to include snack and rest time, time for clean-up and transitions, outdoor time, keep group lesson times at a length that is age appropriate.

[Maria Bernal]

It is important to be realistic about what you can do in a given period of time. For children to learn routines easily, the schedule or routine must be explained clearly and specifically verbally, in writing and with images.

[Karen Henderson]

When planning a daily schedule, first think about the setting. Are you in a home based child care setting or a larger facility type setting? Think about the children you are serving and their ages and development. First start with things that must occur throughout the day, i.e. meal times, toileting, getting ready to transition, rest time, snack time etc. Include the children in specific activities that they would like to try.

For example, after rest time and snack is a good time to have a scheduled activity.

You also need to be able to go with the flow a little bit. It is okay to change routine too.

[Corey]

When making a daily schedule, I think it’s helpful to first think of the must-have activities (outside time, snack time, washing hands) and think about how much time those will take. You can put those in as ‘blocks’, and then build around them with different activities.

[Chloe]

Make sure that the physical needs of children are considered when plaing activities, especially ones that will require lots of self-control and brainpower.

[Isabella]

Involving children in the process is fun and interactive. It also lets the children get a say in what they do while it lets the childcare providers get a sense of what the children may already be doing at home. When you are creating a schedule, you should be thinking of the different needs that will need to be met and also think about how you can make their daily routine fun and easy to keep up with.

[Christina]

Involve the children in planning your daily schedule. Get there interests and things they want to do. Start in the morning with arrival, make sure to plan meal times and snack times, plan out your circle time, arts and crafts, free play, outdoor time and have a routine for parent pick up at the end of your day.