Wellbeing

As another week comes to a close. It has been lovely to reflect and watch students as they settle into routines within their classroom environments.  As we reflect, we feel this is now a time to touch on the importance of routines and how they positively affect children and their brain development.  

Keeping the same and general routines can help to make your child’s world feel stable and predictable. It helps to strengthen brain connection and build confidence as they know what to expect in certain situations. 

Below is some key information re:  The Importance of establishing Routines from the Raising Children Network.

Happy reading & have a safe and restful weekend. 

Routines

Family routines set out how families organise themselves to get things done, spend time together and have fun. Routines help family members know who should do what, when, in what order and how often.

Why routines are good for children..

As children grow, a consistent and structured daily routine is one of the most important factors that contribute to their development. For primary-aged children (typically ages 5 to 11), routines are crucial in helping them thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. Establishing a routine can provide numerous benefits that promote healthy habits, reduce stress, and encourage positive growth.

Routines can be part of an organised and predictable home environment, which helps children and teenagers feel safe, secure and looked after. A predictable family life can also help children cope during development changes like puberty or life events like the birth of a new child, divorce, illness or a house move. Also, routines built around having fun or spending time together foster a sense of belonging and strengthen family relationships.

Skills and responsibility

Having chores as part of family routines helps children (and teenagers) develop a sense of responsibility and some basic skills like time management. These are skills children can use for life. And when children can do their parts of the routine with less help or supervision, it also helps them become more independent.

Health and Wellbeing

Routines can help younger children to learn healthy habits, like brushing their teeth, taking medicine regularly, doing physical activity, or washing their hands after using the toilet. Daily routines help set our body clocks, too. For example, bedtime routines help children’s bodies ‘know’ when it’s time to sleep.

Why routines are good for parents: Routines take some effort to create. But once you’ve set them up, they have many benefits:

• When life is busy or difficult, routines can help you feel more organised and in control, which lowers your stress and anxiety.
• Regular and consistent routines can build your confidence as a parent.
• Routines help your family complete your daily tasks more efficiently and free up time for other things.