[Donika Saqipi]

Involve children’s and families in the schedule making process

[Haerin]

Pencil in times and obviously try to make it regular. I like to work with meal times first and then sleep times, and then depending on the time zone plan out which activity time it is.

[SARA]

A good routine must have: Welcome the children in the morning, physical activities, art activities, singing, nap time, meal, outdoor time.

[Meghan McDonald]

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

I struggle with making schedules, but I think creating the base outline to include meal times, rest time, bathroom times, and outdoor times would help flesh out the schedule and allow you to fill in the blanks with other activity times. Also transition times should have cues attacked, so the children more easily understand the activity is changing and thus the expectations. The most important part is being consistent, so the children can trust the schedule.

It was interesting to read everyone’s advice.

[Lydia]

I think having a schedule as seen in the course videos that involves pictures helps younger children. Also, involving them in the schedule also ease any stress a change in schedule may give them. I have found the children in my classroom who have trouble adjusting to a change in activity (according to the schedule) do better when they are part of this shift and know what comes next.

[Arie ham]

Make sure schedule is shared with parents so they know what to expect as well. Have food and snacks in the schedule, make sure to try to keep things equipped in order with staff, and give children grace.

[Cara]

My advice for creating and maintaining a daily routine and schedule includes:

-Have core activities roughly around the same time each day (ie: circle time, read alouds, center times, small group times, lunch, nap times, etc.).

-Have activities that rotate throughout the week to keep some novelty and excitement that would be at its own time on the schedule (ie: maybe each Tuesday the kids go on an outdoor walk, Wednesday the students get to cook something special, Thursday is a science experiment, etc.).

-Prepare students if there is a special event that day that will affect the schedule.

-Have a visual schedule that you go over during circle time.

-I have a little magnetic object that I move on the schedule each time we change the activity so student know where we are at in the schedule. I had quite a few students this year who reffered to where it was and if I forgot to move it, they would remind me.

-Have a portable schedule for students that need a personal one if transitions are hard for them.

[Kylie Mack]

consistency, like each morning have the kids wash their hands and make a classroom expectation and have them make rules together.

[Jayden Ellis]

plan around meal times

[Christian Pflager]

The simplest tip I can give is to post the schedule publicly; go over it in the morning with the kids, and then keep it up all day so there’s never any question of what’s coming up next.

[DAISY]

I would create a schedule starting at the time the center opens and ends, then fill with specific times the children should be having snacks, lunch, and diner if applicable. Then outside time followed by indoor play time, and activities. I think having it printed out and visible for both parents and teachers is helpful.

[Roseli Santos]

I would use repletion, take them outside everyday if allowed by weather so they know what is coming. Transitions should accommodate the extra energy they are feelings when they come back inside for example dancing the wiggles away for 3 min then sitting down.

[Awo Mah]

Make a fun and learning routine for children, but also include time for slip-ups as you never know what happens with children.

[abby kolbeck]

Are there any components of a good early learning environment that you think are especially important?

try your best to stick to daily schedule for structure but understand the importance of an understanding transition

[Sailaja]

It is important to involve children to modify your daily schedule to make it fun and engaging and also the daily schedule should be flexible enough to meet the needs of some children with special needs and also may need extra attention, that way children will not only have the sense of trust and feel safe and secure to learn in a fun environment