Stress-Free Summers: Building A Kid-Friendly Routine That Sticks

Children and families benefit a lot when there is a consolidated summer routine for kids in place! But it can be challenging to set a routine for your child and make sure they stick to it, especially during school breaks or summer, when the day is less structured.

The investment in building your kids’ summer schedule is worth it- here’s why 

Uncertainty and confusion are common feelings for children when they lack regularity and stability. Their capacities for planning and organisation may also be delayed. You may set yourself up for success in the long run by learning to manage your time well and establish routines while you're young. A child's lack of preparedness and independence as they grow older might be attributed to not mastering such skills. Avoiding the so-called summer slip is a significant advantage. Summer learning loss can range between 17% and 17–34% of a student's annual progress, according to studies. The best way to ensure that children continue learning throughout the season is to keep them on a schedule that includes regular learning and play opportunities.

Teenagers can benefit too!

Adolescents benefit greatly from having routines. Teens may establish routines in their lives by focusing on three staples: sleep, waking, and mealtimes.

Children naturally desire greater freedom and say in their daily lives as they mature. It's crucial to strike a balance between freedom and order when establishing routines with your adolescent, especially during the summer months when school is not in session. Here are a few suggestions:

Assigning goals. They can eat with the family before going out with friends, but they must return by 10.
It is important to clearly state the consequences of unmet expectations. For instance, next Friday's planned outing with friends will have to wait if they get home too late.

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Building a daily summer routine for children 101 

Pay close attention to your anchors—the few, most crucial tasks you do every day—if you want to create a responsive calendar that actually works. Life with small children requires longer periods and considerably more flexibility, although Google Calendar allows us to plan down to fifteen-minute intervals. When kids have a good time, they often want to remember it for a long time. On the other hand, some days are just like that. Additionally, children can be particularly demanding during transitions between activities. 

Listed below are the most useful anchors for parents! Set your anchors at the same spot each day after you've determined what they are, and everything else may revolve around them. 

• Sleep schedule: When it's feasible to maintain consistent sleep and waking hours for children, research and experience show that they behave better and are more open to new experiences. They alleviate parental anxiety once they're set up. How wonderful! 
• When to eat and snack: Consistent eating opportunities, like sleep, may assist children's bodies, brains, and spirits to relax and settle. Kids are more likely to be satisfied between meals and be ready for "real food" when you set a regular snack time every two hours. Invite children to share stories about their day as you all enjoy a meal together.
• Converse with them: Be sure to incorporate a circle time into your daily routine. The activity will allow you to interact with the children, let them know that today is a special day, and set the tone for the day ahead. If you're looking for some suggestions for circle time rituals, have a look at our Rituals section.

• Playtimes: Playtime blocks can be as short or as long as your kid needs them to be, depending on their age, interests, and daily routine. Here are a few things to think about when you schedule playtime:

For the most part, children have boundless energy when they get up first thing in the morning, have circle time and encourage the children to try new things and encourage kids to try some new activities first thing in the morning. It's best to tackle larger energy pursuits, such as park outings or treks, early in the morning. Research shows that children whose ages range from two to twelve require at least thirty minutes of uninterrupted playtime in order to reach their full developmental potential. Make sure you give yourself enough time and that you are adaptable and attentive to your youngster.

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Effective summer routine for kids – how to make sure it sticks! 

Whether it's going from a school schedule to summer break or vice versa, it can be challenging to transition from one routine to another.

In general, it's best if your child's schedule is as predictable as possible. This includes making sure they have regular wake, sleep, and food times. Start bringing your child back to an earlier bedtime around one month before school starts if they have a later bedtime over the summer. In preparation for the return to school, revise your child's sleep routine according to these suggestions.

Some kids thrive on consistency and predictability, to the point that they grow anxious, puzzled, or worried if something changes.