[Emily]

I like to start with breakfast and outdoor time or free play followed by circle/group learning and particpation time, snack, a one on one time with the teacher, craft time, then outdoor/freetime, lunch, nap/rest, reading, snack, active play

[Leidy Romero]

Even though you have a schedule, you should also have an open mind to make adjustments to the different activities depending on the development of the children. It is important to follow a schedule, but you can also adjust it if you notice that it is not being useful or not, it is following the necessary patterns to meet development standards.

[Kevaughn]

Create a schedule that you know that you can stick to

[Acacia]

Ask the children what they would like to do that day and create the schedule with the children with the activities that they would like to do, snack time, and nap time. Make it fun for the children. I would make a wheel.

[Lizeth]

Tips for Creating a Daily Schedule:

Children thrive on routine, so establish a consistent daily schedule with predictable routines for meals, naptime, play, and learning activities.

Include a mix of active and quiet activities throughout the day to accommodate different energy levels and support a variety of developmental needs.

Include Outdoor Time:

Incorporate outdoor playtime into the schedule, weather permitting. Outdoor play promotes physical activity, gross motor skills, and a connection with nature.

Schedule times for group activities, circle time, or collaborative projects to foster social interaction, cooperation, and a sense of community among the children.

Integrate a range of learning experiences, including literacy activities, art, music, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) activities.

Involve Children in Routine Tasks:

Encourage children’s independence by involving them in routine tasks such as setting the table, cleaning up, and organizing their belongings.

Tips for Maintaining a Daily Schedule:

While routines are important, be flexible and responsive to the needs of individual children and the group. Adjust the schedule as needed.

Communicate any changes to the schedule with children in advance. This helps them feel more in control and prepared for transitions.

Regularly assess the effectiveness of the schedule. If certain activities are consistently challenging or unengaging, consider adjustments to better meet the needs of the children.

Collaborate with Staff:

If working with a team, collaborate with other staff members to ensure consistency in routines and transitions. Share insights and observations to refine the schedule.

[Olivia Johnson]

Do you have any tips or advice on creating and maintaining a daily schedule for children?

Starting and ending with very similar things can help the children focus and calm down.

[Raagini]

Structure schedules using necessities (eating, nap time) as the foundation and then build around that based on what would make the most sense (i.e. play followed by eating followed by nap time). Observe how children react to the routine and shift things around if necessary.

[Minaz Gilani]

make sure the activities which involve focus and energy be done in the morning or early half day of the schedule and slow activity be done at the other half of the day.

[Jeannee Winterroth]

Yes, a daily schedule and routine are essential for children as they provide structure and predictability, which helps children feel secure and understand expectations.

Play materials should be age-appropriate, safe, and varied to stimulate different developmental areas such as cognitive, social, and physical skills. Outdoors, children need space to run, climb, and explore with equipment like slides, swings, and open areas for games.

For infants and toddlers, safety is paramount with close supervision and materials that are non-toxic and free from choking hazards. Additionally, areas for crawling, sensory play, and nap times are important, along with equipment and furniture scaled to their size.

[Kylie]

if any changes need to be made to the schedule be sure it is done with explanation or gradually

[Tierngo Tadege]

Somethings to plan are planning schedules for meals and naps are really important.

[Cat Ortiz]

have your schedual posted at eyelevel in a place you can go over it daily with your class

[Astrid]

I think the best tip is to make sure that kids can visually follow the routine and can interact with it if it’s a struggle for them. There was a kid one time that had a block that they would move to the next activity that would have a place and time there for the block. It was an interesting way to guide that kid through the process of the day.

[Kiona]

Keep the foundation of the schedule consistent but vary the materials and foods provided.

[Kalista McCafferty]

I have found when first implementing a schedule for children starting slow with a few activities at specific times, like meals, outside time, and nap time, get them used to the idea of having things at specific times and then make it easier to transition to a fully scheduled day. For older kids having the schedule posted somewhere they can see allows them to comprehend what is happening. Even if the children can’t read yet, having it posted with simple pictures they can understand allows them to be able to know what is happening in their day and feel in control of their own bodies and life.