Gotta Make It: Pre-School Routine Charts

"The less routine the more life" -Amos Bronson Alcott

 

I've never been a big routine/schedule person, but as I navigate through this thing called mommy-hood I am quickly discovering that life without routines can often be more difficult and less fun.  When Lil Man started pre-school back in September (yes...it has taken me this long to post the pre-school routine chart) my biggest worry was getting out of the house in the morning and having his head hit the pillow at night without major arguments, meltdowns, and being on time since I HATE being late.  

I searched stores and the internet for a pre-school routine chart without much luck.  I needed a routine chart that was flexible because I wasn't sure how my first attempt at making a morning and evening schedule would work out.  My son is a dawdler so I definitely did not know if eating breakfast in 15 minutes would be realistic or not.  In addition, I wanted a chart my son could read on his own.  The solution?  Using pictures, putting them on magnets, and using digital times vs a traditional clock to keep him on track.  

We started with two magnetic dry erase boards.  One color for morning and a different color for night.  Then I had an outline of what our morning and evening times would look like.  The best part was getting Lil Man to help with the chart.  I wanted to include him as much as possible so he would hopefully buy into this new routine thing.  He LOVED going around and taking pictures of everything we needed to do in order to get ready for school and ready for bed.  I also printed out some pictures of TVs.  Some were just a picture of the TV and others were a big 'X' through the TV so he would know when the TV was not allowed to be on.  Print out some times, and you are ready to assemble your pre-school routine chart with your child. We put all the pictures on magnets so they could be moved around as we decided some things would work out at better times or in different orders.  

So....did all the work pay off?  You bet it did.  Less nagging, yelling, battles and a more independent 3 year old - who could ask for more?!  Instead of nagging at him to go do something, I would ask what was next on the chart.  He would go look and go do it.  Of course, we had a reward system if he completed the chart every morning and evening so you can do what works for your family.  

A year later, they still hang in the same place.  They don't get looked at every morning anymore, but the same basic routine is in place and has made mornings and evenings a happy time in this household.  Plus mommy and daddy are happy. And we all know that happy parents is just as important as a happy child.  

Be inspired, get creative, and have fun!