Adding Structure to Your Child’s Day
Feeling the chaos? Try a schedule!
A schedule can be comforting. It’s time to arrange a new one.
What can we put into a schedule?
– A theme for each day or week
– Academic challenges
– Creative projects
– Free play
– Nature walks
– Building tent villages
– Baking
– Zoom or FaceTime friends, family, or classmates
Before attempting to create your timed block schedule, keep the following aspects in the forefront of your mind:
1. Consider carefully the age and abilities of each child.
Your 2 year old will need different considerations from your 14 year old. For example, the 2 year old can stay on topic for perhaps 10 minutes, whereas the 14 year old can manage 45 minutes or more.
2. Make every effort to have fun throughout the process.
Learning while striving to stick to a schedule does not have to equal drudgery or negativity. The internet has many fabulous resources, some of which are currently free. Perhaps take your family on a virtual safari or to a puppet show. If needed, many options are both fun and educational.
3. Outline the fixed portions of your schedule and how much or little flexibility they can tolerate.
When is bedtime? When should you wake each child? Mealtimes? Bedtime routines? Will weekends be different from weekdays? Etc. Teenage brains are naturally more receptive to learning later in the day than preschoolers.
4. Adults must find ways to let off steam in an effort to keep themselves centered.
Exactly what accomplishes this is as diversified as we are. Some might take a run, others a nap. Find what centers you and don’t minimize the need for it. Remember if you are not there for yourself, you cannot be there for your children.
5. Finally, consider making me part of your schedule.
Consultations are free, so even if you have a few quick questions, I am happy to consult by phone or online.
Consider Forbrain®. Your child can use their own voice to push ahead their development. It can be used in a variety of ways- to sing, read, babble, be vocally silly or to just talk. Use for just six minutes a day can benefit development in attention, articulation, & so many other areas.
We are committed to community support at this time. Prices for our Tomatis in-home programs have been significantly reduced. If you have been considering Tomatis Training or a refresher, there will never be a better time.
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