Quality child care that includes meaningful routines promotes healthy development in infants and toddlers. Consistency is very important for very young children, and provides them with feelings of control and safety. Regular activities that happen at the same time and in the same way each day, such as meals, naps, reading, and outdoor time, help shape early habits of behavior that endure well into adulthood. Through consistency, children are able to anticipate events and learn behavioral and social patterns. The fun and purposeful routines of child care need to be recognized for the vital role they play in setting the foundation of a child’s self-esteem, self-control and overall a sense of mastery.
Child Care Routines- Teach emotional regulation and security: "I can trust that I will be fed, and I feel secure in knowing who, where, and when." Consistency is comforting and reassuring to children. It allows them to feel safe, they are open to exploring and learning.
- Teach behavior regulation and the sense of continuity: "I can clean up the toys after playing like the other children because I know where the toys go." Routines organize behavior and thinking, defining and directing behavior that motivates children to fit in successfully with other. Behavior that is repeated daily evolves into a habit, which provides a feeling of consistency and comfort, and reduces stress.
- Establish limits that decrease conflicts and anxiety: "I know how to take turns and share the toys." Routines and rules set expectations for behavior so that children learn what is acceptable and what is not, which decreases the instances where children feel out of control and act out. It also guides children in their relationships with others, reducing power struggles and the need for negative interactions.
Ultimately, schedules and routines in the child care setting must also be in sync, as much as possible, with the child’s home experience to be of true value. For example, keeping the child’s diet, feeding and nap times consistent with the home schedule supports predictability and assists the child's successful adjustment to out-of-home group care. Quality child care that is rich in routines and patterns supports children's cognitive and social development.Adapted from Child Care is Rich in Routines, ZERO TO THREE |