Printable Kids Daily Routine Chart (Free 4-Page Wall Checklist)

Mornings can be chaotic! Your kids are dressing themselves, eating breakfast, getting themselves off to their day. Many parents find they keep repeating the same direction to their children over and over again.

According to the child development experts, the best way to establish the habit of doing things for themselves is to create daily routines and stick to them.

In this guide, we will show how printable charts help you create a routine for your child and offer a FREE 4-page chart for you to begin creating routines.

Table of Contents

·         Importance of Daily Routines for Child Development

·         Understanding How Visual Learning Works

·         The Elements of the 4-page Printable Chart

·         Implementing the Chart

·         Routine Adaptations for Different Age Groups

·         Issues & Solutions of Routine Implementation

·         Tracking the Success of the Routine

·         Routines are an Important Aspect in Children's Development

To develop in a healthy way, children need the stable routine provided by a consistent daily schedule. Studies published in some of the leading developmental psychology journals show that children with well-defined routines have many of the following characteristics:

- Children have Higher Levels of Executive Function Skills – Improve their ability to make Plans and Organize their Day.

- Children Exhibit Higher Levels of Emotional Regulation – Lower Anxiety and Behavioural Problems.

- Children have More Independence – Increased ability to Rely on Themselves and have Greater Confidence.

- Children Demonstrate Higher Levels of Academic Achievement – Develop More Effective Time Management Skills.

- Children Who Have Routines Get Better Sleep Quality – Go to Bed at the Same Time Every Night.

Dr. Laura Markham, Child Development Expert and Clinical Psychologist, explains that, "When children follow pre-defined routines, it removes the power struggle. Because the child is not following their parent's interventions or behaviours, they are instead Just Following the Routine."

 

Using Visual Routine Charts allows children to benefit from these additional advantages by giving them a direct and readily accessible way of reviewing their Daily Schedule without parental input.

Understanding How Learning Visually Works

Research into education has shown that about 65 percent of all learners in general (including children) learn best through the use of pictures or other visual representations.

The major reasons children learn better when they are given visuals are:

1) Decreased Cognitive Load

Visual representations can help break down a complicated series of steps that comprise routines into smaller 'chunks'. This makes it easier for children to understand and complete the different steps or tasks in their morning or evening routines, without feeling overwhelmed by the amount of information or steps involved.

2) Increased Memory Retention

The picture superiority effect states that after three days, people will recall visual materials approximately 65% better than they do with verbal materials.

3) Visible References to Work

Because visual representations (visual aids, charts, for example) can always be consulted, visual aids provide children with continual and immediate access to important information. They can always be referred to when verbal instructions may be forgotten over time.

4) Feelings of Accomplishment

Making a check next to each task completed helps provide positive feedback and motivation to continue to do well.

5) Non-Verbal Representations Can Help Children Who Are Not Yet Ready To Read, Who Have Just Begun Reading, or Who Are Learning English As A Second Language.

What Is Included In The Free 4-Page Daily Routine Chart?

The free printable 4-page Daily Routine Chart includes everything that daily routines involve at every time of the day from morning until bed time:

Page 1: Morning Task List

Establishing an effective morning routine provides the groundwork for a productive day. The following list of tasks are included as part of establishing an efficient morning task list:

1.      Wake Up

2.      Make Bed

3.      Use Toilet

4.      Brush Teeth

5.      Put on Clothes

6.      Comb Hair

7.      Wash Hands

8.      Eat Breakfast

The format means that as a child completes one task on their list, they will have an automatic transition into completing the next task on their list. The final section of this first page includes an affirmation checkbox stating, "Completed my morning task list."

A well structured morning routine has multiple benefits :

1. Cuts down on the amount of mental energy parents and children expend making decisions.

2. Guarantees that essential items related to personal hygiene are not forgotten.

3. Provides a consistent, low-stress way to start the day

4. Teaches children how to manage their time at an early age.

Page 2 After School Routine

Similar to school, the transition from school to home needs a structure of its own. An example of this would be :

1. Put School Bag In Its Place

2. Wash Hands & Feet

3. Get Changed

4. Have a Snack Or Drink Water

5. Have 15-20 Min's Relaxation Period

6. Complete Homework

7. Pack School Bag For Tomorrow

8. Enjoy Free Time/Time To Play

The importance of having an after school routine is as follows:

When Children Come Home From School They Are Mentally And Physically Worn Out! An After School Routine Gives Them The Time To Relax (descompress) And Get Back Into The Mindset To Finish Their Homework Without Having A Battle To Get Them To Complete It. Educational Psychologists Say That A 15-20 Minute Relaxation Period Will Allow Their Bodies To Decrease All Cortisol Levels And Allow A Smooth Transition From A Structured Setting To Home Life.

Evening or Nighttime Routines

Bedtime routines, when followed consistently every night, can help create better sleep habits in addition to reducing resistance to bedtime and getting ready for sleep at night. In this nightly process, children will complete the following steps in the order listed below:

1.      Toy clean up

2.      Hygiene (face and hands)

3.      Dinner

4.      Bath time

5.      Teeth brushing

6.      PJ's when ready

7.      Reading or Quiet Time

8.      Going to bed and sleeping

 

Throughout the routine, positive reinforcement is provided by saying, "You're doing your best today!"

Sleep Hygiene Information:

When children transition from very active daily activities to quiet and calming pre-sleep activities, their body prepares for sleep in a gradual, natural way. By including reading or quiet time prior to going to bed, your child will also release melatonin, which prepares their body physiologically for sleep.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children who maintain a consistent bedtime routine will fall asleep more quickly when they go to bed and will wake less frequently during the night.

House Rules and Negative Consequences Chart (Page 4):

The House Rules and Negative Consequences Chart pages are designed to communicate expectations to families and to track families' progress toward completing their House Rules as a family:

House Rules:

1.      Screen time can only occur after homework has been completed.

2.      TV and mobile devices are not allowed in the mornings before school.

3.      Toys must be returned to the proper place after playing.

4.      Use positive words when communicating with others.

5.      Be respectful of parents and caregivers.

Weekly reward charts provide children visual tracking of their accomplishments over the course of a week and motivation to achieve rewards.

 

Rewards serve an important function within the scope of Behavioral Psychology. Research in Behavioral Psychology demonstrates that providing positive reinforcement consistently is critical in developing desired behaviours. Weekly tracks give enough time to establish consistent patterns of behaviour, but not too much time so that motivation for desired behaviours is lost.

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How To Successfully Implement Routine Charts

To effectively implement routine charts, you'll need to develop a strategic plan and be consistent in carrying out the steps. These 5 evidence-based steps will help you implement your routine charts:

Step 1 - Preparation & Set-Up

Download and Print

Access the free 4 page printable, and print on standard 8.5" x 11" paper. If you want to increase durability, print on cardstock or use lamination on standard copy paper.

Benefits of Lamination:

Laminating, allows for the use of dry-erase markers (i.e., reusable).

Laminated products are better able to withstand being handled by young children, each day.

Laminating is an environmentally friendly option.

Laminating process is also extremely cost-effective if you're using the charts for an extended period.

Strategically Placing Routine Charts

Once you've printed and laminated your routine charts, be sure to place charts at your child's eye level, as close as possible to where they will be used.

Morning routine - In your child's bedroom or bathroom.

After-school routine - At the closest location to the entry of your home or homework area.

Evening routine - At the closest location to your child's bathroom or bedroom.

House Rules - Placed in a central area in your home, such as your family kitchen.

There is a lot you can do to help your child develop routines and build healthy habits. First, begin by Introducing the process of setting up daily and weekly charts for monitoring their daily and weekly progress. Second, get your child involved with the set-up and use. Allow them to help you hang your charts, pick the colors for their markers, and give input on how they want to set up their charts. Research has shown that when a child plays an active role in creating a system, that child will have higher levels of ownership for that system.

After you have created the initial charts, you need to walk your child through each item on the chart to help them understand what it means to be responsible for completing that routine, when they will consult the chart, how to mark completed tasks, and what type of reward will be earned for completing their routine.

Research has found that it takes 21 days of consistent practice to create new habits. Support your child during this 21-day period and reinforce positive behavior by giving verbal praise for specific accomplishments, providing physical affirmation through high-fives and hugs or rewarding privileges such as reading more books together or allowing them to choose the menu for meals. You can also provide tangible rewards after your child completes a weekly chart.

Finally, avoid common mistakes when establishing routines with children: Do not skip days unless it's in the best interest of your child. Be patient as your child becomes accustomed to their new routine, and do not take over if your child is struggling with a routine. Be consistent and age-appropriate when applying consequences for not completing a task correctly.

Grow into Independent Skills through Gradual Support

Use the Scaffolding Approach:

Begin with High Degree of Support First and Slowly Begin to Decrease Support as the Child's Competence Grows

Weeks 1 & 2 - Parent Models All Aspects for the Child

Weeks 3/4 – Parent Provides Verbal Cues/Reminders

Weeks 5/6 – Child can complete tasks independently with a Referenced Chart

Weeks 7+ - Parent will have little/no oversight of the child's ability to complete tasks

Adaptations for Age Appropriateness

Various developmental levels require adaptations to the approach to teaching the child to follow through with routines:

Toddlers (Ages 3-4)

Developmental Limitations:

Have a short attention span (3-5 minutes)

Still developing fine motor skills

Learning how to follow directions given in multi-steps

Adaptations:

Limit routine to 3-4 essential tasks

Utilize larger check off boxes/sticker system

Provide hands-on demonstrations of how to accomplish tasks

Celebrate accomplishments along the way

Preschoolers (Ages 4-5)

Developmental Milestones:

Emerging sense of independence

Developing a larger vocabulary and the ability to understand

Want to please their caregivers

Adaptations:

Include all of the tasks outlined in the chart with parental guidance.

Encourage to complete all familiar independent tasks.

Introduce rewards for completion of tasks.

Use positive words and encouraging language.

Early Elementary Age (Ages 6-8)

Abilities:

Reading simple words and sentences.

Identifying and understanding "cause and effect."

Can perform routines independently.

Adaptations:

Expect the child to perform their routines independently.

Introduce the concept of managing time.

Create connections between the completion of their routines, privileges and responsibilities.

Discuss reasoning behind all tasks assigned.

Upper Elementary Age 9-10

Advanced Skills: Strong reading comprehension, abstract thinking ability, and the ability to plan ahead and prioritize.

Adaptations:

1. Allow the child to offer input for modifying or changing routines

2. Introduce the child to the concept of personal responsibility

3. Connect routine habits with long-term goals

4. Gradually phase out charts or written reminders as routine habits are established.

Common challenges and solutions: While well-designed routines can often encounter challenges, the following solutions can be used to address common challenges.

Challenge 1: Initial Resistance

Symptoms: Complaining, avoiding, and refusing to participate in routines.

Solutions:

1. Frame routines in terms of "big kid" responsibilities

2. Include the child in the decision-making process of customizing routines

3. Begin with currently established strengths before introducing any new challenges

4. Offer the child choice within a routine structure (i.e. Which task do you want to do first?)

Challenge 2: Inconsistent Follow-Through

Symptoms: Missing tasks, incomplete routines, or selective compliance with routines.

Solutions:

1. Simplify or revise routines if they are too complex

2. Provide a reasonable time frame for completing each routine

3. Address any underlying issues that could impact compliance (i.e. fatigue, hunger, stress)

4. Strengthen the reward system for completing routines.

Challenge 3: Morning Time Constraints

Symptoms: Rushing, failing to complete routines, or causing stress to families.

Solutions:

1. Adjust the time of waking up by 15-30 minutes earlier

2. Prepare items in advance (i.e. clothing and/or school supplies) during the evening

3. Eliminate or simplify unnecessary tasks

4. Use a timer to monitor how fast and how much time must be monitored.

Challenge 4: Evening Fatigue (Symptomology: Tantrums and refusal to adhere to their evening routine. )

Solutions: Start evening routine sooner, lessen stimulating activities prior to sleep & after-school down-time should provide sleep time.

An environment conducive to calmness has low light may promote quiet activities.

Challenge 5: Conflict Among Siblings (Symptomology: Disputes between siblings about how they utilize the chart (jealousy, equality, fairness).

Solutions: Have individual charts for each child set up, set limitations on boundaries in regard to personal routines, do not compare your siblings and celebrate each individual child's accomplishments.

Assessing Success and Progress: By tracking progress, one can maintain motivation, and identify issues that require change.

Metrics, Quantitative: Weekly Completion Rates, Calculate the percentage of independent completion of routines. Example; 90% to 100% - Exceptional habit-forming, 75% to 89% - Better than average; Minor revisions may be needed; 60% to 74%-Moderately Successful; Review obstacles and determine necessary changes; Below 60%-Requires significant modification.

Time Efficiency: Monitor the time needed to perform routines

Baseline measurement in week one; In week four; 25%-30% better time performance than baseline; In week eight; Near-maximum effectiveness.

Qualitative: Observations Related To Behavior Change

Fewer reminders from parents regarding task completion; Increased initiation of task completion by child; Increased ability to appropriately manage transitional time-to-task and increased confidence in ability to perform tasks.

A decrease in morning and evening conflicts, from less than two weeks after starting this process to a noticeable difference. (Also) I have had many more chances for positive interaction with my children since beginning this process than I would normally have during the day.

The atmosphere of our home has become much more peaceful than it was before we began this process. It has provided an enhanced opportunity for the parents and children of our family to work cooperatively together and to be on the same page when it comes to discipline and rules.

Long-Term Development of Life Skills for Your Child

Your child's independence in personal hygiene, their ability to be punctual, their ability to create and maintain organized systems (and thinking), their self-discipline and ability to be accountable for their actions or decisions will all continue to grow during this entire process.

Click to Download Your Free Chart Now: 

Resources? (For Parents)

Additional books related specifically to Child Routines:

 

Positive Parenting (Glenn Latham)

Peaceful Parenting, Happy Children (Dr. Laura Markham)

The Whole Brain Child (Daniel J. Siegel)

Parenting Resources that are Based on Research:

American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)

Zero To Three

Center On The Developing Child Harvard University (CDC)

Related tools:

Organizational Systems Complementary to Chore Charts for Older Children

- Homework Tracking System

- Behaviour Management Tool

- Family Calendar System

FAQs

Q: How long does it take for a routine to become a habit?

A: Research has indicated that most children will have exhibited a marked improvement in their habits after four to six weeks of consistent application.

Q: Should I use external reinforcers or should I motivate them with the behaviours themselves?

A: When a child begins developing a habit, externals (like a sticker system) can assist in developing the habit. However, as a child continues to succeed with their new habits, parents should help them develop intrinsic motivation regarding how these new habits make them feel.

Q: What if my child has special needs (e.g. learning, behavioural, etc.)?

A: Charts can be modified with pictures, language modified to be simple, and/or with sensory modifications. Consult with an occupational therapist for the most appropriate way to design these charts to meet your child's needs.

Q: Are these charts usable by teens?

A: These charts were written for younger children; however, simplified charts are useful for teens who have difficulty with their executive function (thinking through an action and taking action). Many adolescents prefer computer-based charts.

Q: How can I deal with vacations and other disruptions to my routines?

A: If your family routine is maintained (e.g. hygiene, sleeping) but flexibility is given to other routines when you're travelling, and when you return home after travelling, resume full routines.

Q: Should both parents have the same enforcement of the routine (i.e. the same rules)?

A: Providing a consistent family routine among caregivers produces superior results for all members of the family. Both parents should discuss and agree on all expectations, consequences, and rewards prior to implementing a family routine.

The Importance of Routines - Establishing a routine as a child has numerous positive impacts which goes beyond simply creating a peaceful home life. Longitudinal Studies show that;

Academic Success:

Children whose routine remains consistent as they age will experience an increase in:

- Test Scores

- Homework Completion

- School Attendance

- Classroom Behavior

Mental Health:

Routine based structure impacts a child's mental health in positive ways. For example:

- A child with a structured daily routine will tend to have lower levels of anxiety as they transition into adolescence

- Children who have structured routines learn to manage stressors effectively

- Having a routine as a child decreases their likelihood of developing a depression

- A child who follows a routine is more emotionally resilient in life

Success as an Adult:

Young Adults who establish a childhood routine tend to develop:

- Better Time Management skills in College/Career

- Healthy Lifestyle Habits

- Greater Financial Responsibility

- Strong interpersonal skills

Getting Started Today:

By following this FREE resource, you can begin to transform the dynamics of your home today! The 4 Page Printable Kids Routine Chart will provide you with everything you need to create structure for your child/ren while promoting independence and reducing daily stress.

 

Timeline for Implementation:

- Today: Download, print and prepare charts

- This Week: Introduce system and practice together

- This Month: Observe results and make adjustments as needed

- Long-Term: Enjoy independent and responsible children!

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In Summary

Creating effective daily routines is possibly the most important thing a parent can do for their children. While it requires time and consistency on the part of the parent(s), the results of establishing effective routines will be seen in both child growth, as well as in harmony among family members, and the success of children long-term.

This free printable includes a practical, research based resource that provides parents with visual charts that can be customized based on the family's needs and can be used regardless of whether or not parents are dealing with toddlers or elementary school-age.

It is simply not an open question whether daily routines are effective - because numerous studies over many years support the effectiveness of creating positive daily routines. The only remaining question is "Are you ready to enjoy much calmer mornings, later evenings, and children who have significantly greater levels of self-confidence, independence, and productivity?"

Your journey towards this transformation starts here with the simple download of this artwork.

We wish your family daily peaceful routines and happy days!

The Pretty Pixel Studio Team

P.S. Make sure to laminate your visual charts for durability! Also, if you know of another parent who is having difficulty establishing effective daily routines, please let them know where they can download their charts. All families should have access to the advantages of consistency and structure in their homes.