Stress Free Morning Routines

Mornings can be rough for kids; especially when adjusting to a new schedule like back-to-school or after winter break. They can be especially tough if your child is beginning a new routine like attending preschool or kindergarten for the first time or switching schools.

Establishing a predictable and consistent morning routine won’t make every morning perfect, but it will help your child know what to expect. When kids know what to expect their anxiety decreases, their confidence increases, and overall things run more smoothly.

If you’re not used to following a routine or you’re starting a new schedule for everyone (hello Kindergarten!) you might not know where to start. We’re here to help! At Kneebouncers we love to help parents and kids make the most of their day.

Start the Night Before

Surprising as it might sound, a successful morning routine starts the night before! Start your morning off right by planning ahead. By doing just a few simple things in the evening you and your child(ren) will have a successful morning!

• Pick out clothes
• Pack lunch or snack
• Prep the backpacks
• Talk about what to expect in the morning

Prepping materials the night before like choosing clothes and packing lunch means there are less choices to make in the morning. Less decisions to make means less stress; it’s a win-win situation!

Have Morning Essentials At Hand

To aid independent kiddos or those who have a hard time making decisions having some morning essentials at hand and ready to go can aid in making the morning routine go smoothly.

Keep kid friendly breakfast items on a shelf in the pantry or the fridge where they can reach. Items like granola bars, fresh fruit, cheese sticks, fruit cups, and yogurt are all easy to grab breakfasts.

Likewise keep items like their toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, etc. in a basket they can reach in the bathroom. The more you foster independence the more cooperative your kid will be! Kids like to feel like they are in control. By offering them a simple choice like what to eat for breakfast or boosting their independence by putting essentials in their reach you’re providing them a level of control.

Use Picture A Schedule

A picture schedule can help your child make sense of their day. Kids like routine and predictability; a picture schedule shows your child exactly what’s next and what to expect. 

You can download picture schedules from a variety of websites for free or a small fee. Teachers Pay Teachers offers a wide variety for purchase that you can often customize or you can download some for free from www.socialworkerstoolbox.com.

You can also make your own using Canva. If making your own, consider using actual photos of your child performing the different routine activities. Seeing themselves pictured on the schedule can reinforce their independence and self-esteem. 

www.socialworkerstoolbox.com

The best picture schedules are ones you can customize for your child. Laminating the schedule pieces and using either velcro and magnets allows for flexibility when changes are necessary. 

If a picture schedule has become a part of your child's routine, involve them with placing the events in order and moving pieces when changes to the routine occur. 

While we can’t guarantee a perfect morning every morning, incorporating a few of these habits to your day will create a supportive atmosphere for a successful morning routine.