The Importance of Routine in ECE

Providing children with a consistent routine gives them more opportunity to be successful. According to zerotothree.org, routines have multiple benefits: routines help children learn self-control, reduce power struggles, provide a sense of safety for children, improve social skills, and help when transitioning between activities. A large part of this is because children, like the rest of us, handle change best if it is expected and occurs in the context of a familiar routine” (ahaparenting.com).

When children know what is coming and what to expect after each activity, and this creates far less struggle during transition times. They don’t have fears or worries about the unknown, and thus feel safe in a place that has a consistent routine. And when children feel safe, they are far more able to grow socially, emotionally, and academically.

At Building Kidz, each location has a set routine that our children can rely on. We do this because “When adults provide environments that feel safe, children learn that they can trust others to take care of them and meet their needs, so they become free to relax and explore their world” (education.com). Being committed to developing the Whole Child, routines have become an important part of the Building Kidz curriculum.

These schedules and routines do not hamper their creativity; in fact, it gives them the freedom and security to be more creative. Our children know what to expect on any given day. When they come in, they know what activity starts the day (Circle time, welcome song, etc). They know when they have their next snack break, when their dance teacher is coming, and when they have free time. The team at Building Kidz has seen first hand how these routines have allowed each child to blossom and be better prepared for their future.