Beep beep beep! Beep beep beep! Nooooo!! There's school this morning, the alarm bells have just rung, with the fear of being late already... We get up, stopwatch in hand, to orderly carry out the whole daily sequence of tasks to be accomplished as soon as we start daycare, at every age their problem. An inevitable challenge! You too feel this little apprehension of the sudden slip-up and the cries of your children that can suddenly arise, we are on minefield! The misstep, the badly braided hairstyle, the unicorn t-shirt that can't be found, the socks that can never be found in pairs, in short, too bad for breakfast, you can already see the school doors closing!
Objective:
Establish a morning routine to teach your child independence and create a predictable environment so they feel safe.
Foster an environment that will allow for an easier transition into their school day
Good mood from the morning!
Prepare:
The day before: Ask your child to pack their bag, help them if necessary, and offer to add their snack. Check whether they have sports or not, and fill their water bottle. Put everything in the hallway. Make sure their coat, hat, gloves, neck warmer, and shoes are within easy reach! (This is experience speaking...)
Bedtime: A good bedtime ritual also means giving yourself every chance of a successful morning routine! Your child needs to get their sleep schedule in order to wake up more easily. If you have to wake them up several times, it's because they haven't slept enough. And if you're a fan of the "Snooze" function on your alarm clock, you need to go to bed earlier!
D-Day:
The alarm clock: Hello, good morning, morning hug—everything for a gentle awakening. Let's smile, happy to be together again after a good night's sleep. And then you can ask your child if they slept well, if they remember their dreams, what they want to eat.
Toilet and hygiene: From this point on, the routine isn't always well established. A visual communication tool with steps, such as a routine chart, can help children develop habits. There are many printable ones with beautiful illustrations, or in magnetic board versions, which are a very practical and fun way to help! Many challenges make up this stage for a young child. Putting on toothpaste, brushing teeth, washing up—it's a series of actions that take time.
Get dressed: Are your things already packed? Perfect, encourage your child by describing the steps they're able to complete on their own, emphasizing their progress! Putting away pajamas, putting on clothes, and then, for the bravest, making a bed might just earn you more than one point!
Balanced breakfast: Sweet or savory, big debate! You can also alternate. This meal represents 20% of their daily intake, so it shouldn't be neglected, and for parents either! A glass of water, a fruit, a cereal product, a dairy product, a little fat, and a little sugar. And if breakfast often falls by the wayside, a smoothie prepared the day before with all the ingredients will do the trick to keep your child going until lunchtime! This time should be screen-free, try to make yourself available to share this meal.
On the way: Shoes on, victory! No shouting? We're almost there. You can use the journey to school to motivate your child. If you're in the car, a positive playlist will help improve mental health. And if you're making the journey on foot, know that there are many benefits! Favor this mode of transportation, walking helps reduce stress, especially; it's even better when you go briskly!
Managing the unexpected:
Flexibility: Even if you think you've planned everything, a routine needs to be flexible—you never know! Being organized down to the minute can be dangerous at the slightest misstep. Learning a routine that's too well-ordered is very reassuring, but it can turn into panic at the slightest unexpected event. Allow enough time in the morning to deal with it. Did the juice glass spill? Does your child need to go change?
Positive reaction: Staying calm, calm, and positive is a good way to set an example and show that we can adapt to any situation. Life is also made up of moments we can't control. Allowing children to find solutions together teaches problem-solving skills.