Help preschoolers learn new routines - By: sily

Children tend to do well with schedules and routines. They like to know what to expect. It is comforting t have repetitive experiences. There are some things that will help them when learning new routines. Change is an important part of life. Help a child learn to embrace it.

*Talk About Changes Before They Happen

Teachers tell students if they are planning to have a substitute. They want students to be prepared and act appropriately.

Parents should explain changes to a child and prepare them for something. Children who are informed tend to adjust better. It comes down to a child feeling secure enough about their situation to adapt.

*Rehearse New Behaviors

If a child is going to start school rehearse the routine the week before. Get up at the appropriate time. Eat breakfast a good breakfast. Get dressed and ready just as if it was a school day. If it is feasible walk to the school together. Explain that next week the child will stay at school and the parent will return home. Part of the rehearsal in learning the vocabulary associated with the new routine. Hearing the proper words to communicate. For example, if a child is going to begin soccer. Teach them words like goal, coach, referee, and team. If they are going to school remind them how to address teacher and friends. Give children the gift of words.

Practice really does make perfect.

*Embrace Little Changes

Children like a plan. Little surprises during the day are fine. Children feel more secure when the unexpected is still contain within the routine. Lets take a look at some examples.

~Naps

Nap time is an important routine. The child may be able to adapt to a nap in a different location, but at the right time. They may be able to rest on the couch. They may except that they will me taking their nap at Grandma's on Tuesday. (They probably won't understand Tuesday, but they know it will happen.)

~Meals

Meal time is important. Many children have favorite foods and don't stray far from them. Perhaps introduction of new foods could be introduced as part of a new healthy eating routine.

Dinner time is still at 5:30. Every evening there is now a "thank you bite". Everyone at the table tries a bite of something different than the norm. The routine of dinner remains the same, but there is some thing new on the menu. This will teach them to try new things.

*Find Productive Ways to Deal with Stresses

Give a child tools to deal with frustration. Teach them to take a deep breath. Remind them that they can talk about things when they get home and together solutions will be found. Teach coping skills early, so they become a life long gift. If a child is stressed about a change of routine them, it is important they understand they can talk about the changes and how it made them feel.

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