The Importance of Routines

The Importance of Routines

A child’s sense of security and ability to adapt to the world around them is extremely connected to the routines established in their everyday life. During Kindermusik class, many of the activities, lessons, and transitions carry over from class to class in order to assist children in fully learning specific types of movements, vocabulary, and most importantly routines. When something is predictable it’s much more appealing to a young child and in turn, makes learning easier and more fun at the same time. Routines not only nurture practicing self-control, but support social skills and encourage closeness within family relationships.

One example of a routine repeated during Kindermusik classes is the “Instruments Away” song. When it is time to put away instruments or items used during an activity during class, we will sing the “Instruments Away” song and adapt the same melody to whatever item needs to be collected. For many children, sometimes even after just one class, they associate the act of putting things away as soon as they hear the teacher begin to sing the song. We encourage parents and caregivers to take routines like these that are practiced in class home with them as a means of reinforcing what’s learned in class, and most importantly as a means of creating a calm, fluid environment for your entire family to thrive in. Check out the video link for a visual of what this looks like. 

Even the most basic behaviors that parents and caregivers engage in with their children can be great ways to establish routine and give kids the opportunity to practice skills necessary for such real world situations like helping out around the house, eating out at a restaurant, or going to school. Routines are necessary to flourish in so many ways, especially socially and emotionally. Here's a "Try It Tip" -
When you get home from class next time and need to put coats and shoes in the closet, try singing the song “Coats away, shoes away, gently put our things away” and see how it goes! Try doing that every week and maybe after a few, your child may just walk right to the closet unprompted when you get home! You can adapt the song however necessary to your specific set up at home. All in all, if you try incorporating and practicing reliable routines during everyday life with your child you will feel joy in seeing their independence and abilities grow!