Family Matters Newsletter - September 2008

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Schedule and Routines

By: Glenda Wentworth, Colorado State University Extension, Eagle County
Family & Consumer Sciences

Children need predictable and consistent schedules and routines.

Schedules help young children feel secure and comfortable. Predictable and consistent routines build trust and influence a child's emotional, learning and social development. They help children understand the expectations of parents and care providers. Inconsistency creates emotional anxiety and stress. Schedules and routines help reduce behavior problems, such as temper tantrums and acts of aggression.

Routine is planning the day by time or activity. It is how families organize themselves to get things done, spend time together and have fun. Every family will have its own unique routine. Routines and schedules help family members know who should do what, when, in what order and how often.

Children learn daily patterns when they have routines. Children learn what will or will not happen next. If a child's schedule is not defined, they may exhibit inappropriate behavior. Young children can become anxious or frustrated and may react by crying, being irritable or show improper behavior.

Often young children are in childcare programs that do maintain consistent schedules. It is best if parents follow through with an established routine at home as well. It is especially important to keep mealtime, naptime and bedtime on a set schedule. This strategy will help children from becoming too hungry or over-tired.

Parents should also allow for flexibility within the day. You do not want to become so rigid that special activities cannot be planned. Just remember to keep the meals and naps consistent with the child's usual schedule. Then, anytime spent together will be more enjoyable by both children and parents.

Consider the following factors when planning schedules and routines at home. Vary the active and quiet activities and the pace of the activities. Also, consider the age of the child, attention span and what time of day children are alert or when they become tired.

In any schedule, there will always be transition time. Transitions are those "in- between" times in the daily activities of a young child; going from one activity to another. They may not understand what is going to happen next. This is often the times when young children become anxious or frustrated since they may have to wait. Discipline problems often arise this time.

Parents can ease those transitions times by turning them into learning experiences. Here are some tips to make these times go more smoothly:

  • Tidy- up time - Give a 5-minute verbal clue before beginning each transition. "In 5 minutes it will be time to put away your toys." Then each minute after, tell the child again that it will be tidy-up time. Another technique might be to sing a familiar song when picking up and putting away toys. Explain to the child that when the song is finished, the job should be finished.
     
  • Waiting in line - Recite nursery rhymes, finger plays or play word or guessing games.
     
  • Naptime/Bedtime - Always give a verbal clue before preparing for naptime or bedtime. Follow the same order of events each time. For example before bedtime, help children understand they need to put on their pajamas, brush their teeth and then read a story. Calming strategies can be included in the routine, such as turning off lights, playing soft music, allowing children to look at books, rubbing their backs or drawing pictures on their backs with your finger.
     
  • Quieting children to gain their attention - Determine a "attention getting" technique to share with your child. Help them to understand that when the phrase or action is used they must respond quietly and attentively. Let them help you choose. Different techniques could be used in different situations. Some examples could be any of the following: Say, 1-2-3 -eyes on me. Play "Simon Says", Count backwards from 10. Use a puppet to give directions. Turn off lights. Ring a bell

Parents need to remember to provide positive feedback after transitions as well. For example, "I liked how you picked up your blocks and put them in the container."

Prevent challenging behaviors before they occur. Consistent schedules and routines at home create a framework of security for children. When children understand and know what comes next, they have structure in their lives. They are more apt to feel secure and more likely to engage in appropriate behavior.

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Active Kids - Plan for physical activity

Keeping a regular exercise schedule is one of the hardest parts of getting and staying healthy. Children are no exception. Kids get distracted easily. It is important for parents to set aside time each day for physical activity for children. In doing so, an active lifestyle becomes a healthy habit and a way of life.

Here are some ways to keep kids active:

  • Check the brochures at your local recreation center or YMCA for classes that are fitness-oriented and held regularly such as martial arts, swimming and trampoline.
  • Write regular family fun dates on a large wall calendar, for instance: park outings, playing catch, throwing a Frisbee, going to the pool or hiking.
  • Try organizing scheduled outdoor activity nights with neighborhood kids to play games such as "Kick the Can" and "Mother May I"
  • Turn T.V. commercial breaks into "exercise breaks". When a commercial begins, a set of exercises begins---make it fun!
  • Take a family walk every night after dinner. It does not have to be long. It should be a regular part of the day.
  • Encourage your kids to join a team or play on a league such as swimming or soccer.

Information provided by America On the Move. Visit: www.americaonthemove.org.

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Safe Kids - Family Emergency Supply Kit

Emergencies and disasters happen anytime and anywhere. You may not have much time to respond. A highway spill of hazardous material could mean instant evacuation. A winter storm could confine your family at home. A tornado could cut off basic services - gas, water, electricity and telephone - for days.

Assemble an Emergency Supplies kit. Place the supplies in an easy-to-carry container. Store in a convenient, easy to access location in your home. Six basics should be on hand in your home and in your kit. They are water, food, first aid supplies, clothing, bedding, tools, emergency supplies and special items.

For more information and checklists, contact your local American Red Cross chapter or the Federal Citizens Information Center at www.pueblo.gsa.gov.

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Healthy Kids - Child's Play!

Your child is designed to move! Most kids like to climb, crawl, run, jump, swing, tumble, twist, stretch and peddle. In fact, play is the "work" of childhood. By moving more and sitting less, your child also learns to live in a healthful way.

  • Cooperation and sharing - your child learns to get along with others.
  • Confidence and independence - your child learns to make choices and control his or her actions.
  • Learning - your child's body and brain develop better ability to learn.
  • Strength, flexibility and endurance - your child learns to explore and experience the world safely.
  • Body awareness - your child learns what his or her changing body can do.
  • Stress relief and good sleep - your child uses up extra energy and learns a healthful way to get rid of stress.
  • Coordination of small and large muscles helps with overall learning.
  • Healthy weight moving more and sitting less helps lower the chances of being overweight.
  • Lifelong health - Keeping your child active now helps to reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease later in their lives.

Surround your child with active fun! Set aside a play area in your home where your child can tumble, roll, jump and toss things without breaking something or getting hurt.

Turn active play into family fun time - a regular time, maybe after a meal. Provide active toys such as balls and tricycles. Join a playgroup where young children and grownups play together. Pick fast food restaurants with a play area and allow time for play. Ask babysitters to play actively with your child. Encourage care providers to toss a ball, take a walk or play tag or catch. Make active play a day care priority. Find a day care that offers safe, active play that matches your child's abilities. Visit to see and ask what they do, for how long and how often.

Adapted from: Nibbles for Health 37. Nutrition Newsletters for Parents of Young Children, USDA, Food and Nutrition Service .

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