Guest Blogger:  Holly Hykaway, Best Beginnings Educational Consulting

www.best-beginnings.com

Routine and ritual are words that are often associated with boring and monotonous. That simply is not the case for children. When small children have little control over their environment, the comfort, security and familiarity of routines and rituals are vital for their emotional health.

Routines are patterns or structures children can use to predict how things will go in their lives. For example, a child can predict that he will be buckled up in his car seat after being seated in the vehicle and before the car starts. A ritual is a routine that has special meaning and significance, such as a bedtime routine that includes a special bedtime prayer, and the same way to say “good night.” Both are an important part of the daily life of a child.

Here are some great ideas for turning routines into rituals:

1) Diaper changing time is perfect for singing a special song to your child. It can keep them occupied and reinforce the connection and response they have to your voice. It doesn’t matter if you don’t remember the words. Make them up as you go along! Kids love those songs the best!
2) Make up a special parting ritual that lets them know how much you love them. A great traditional one is, “See you later, Alligator. In a while, Crocodile.” Try coming up with your own special saying or handshake and accompany it with some type of affection such as a hug, kiss or even a wink.
3) Start off the day right with a morning ritual. Say good morning to the sun with your child as you open the blinds and look out on a new day. Greet all their furry, stuffed animal friends and wish them a good morning or play peek-a-boo between the rails of the crib.
4) Good night rituals are just as important. Find a nursery rhyme you can recite about bed time (check out www.mothergoose.com) or say a special prayer and again accompany it with some form of affection.
5) Friday rituals are great! What can you do when the family reaches the end of the work week? Popcorn night? Family board games? Take out night? These rituals tend to be very popular and among the most remembered in adulthood.

It doesn’t matter the time or the place, making special meaning for your child is what counts.

While gaining from the comfort provided in routines and rituals, children can also learn to be comfortable with the unexpected. Life requires flexibility too! It is also important to build in alternative activities occasionally and help children find coping strategies for times when routines change. There will be days when the routines get tossed out the window, just help them be prepared for it. On those days, having well established routines and a child comfortable with flexibility may just save your sanity as well.