WWB Training Kit #3 Helping Children Understand Routines and

WWB Training Kit #3 Helping Children Understand Routines and Classroom Schedules

Routines vs. Schedules The terms routines and schedules are often used interchangeably. Schedules represent the big picture. – Main activities to be completed daily. Routines represent the steps done to complete the schedule.

Routines vs. Schedules Routines and schedules need to be directly taught. Routines and schedules may vary – Based on level of children’s interest – Should be inherently flexible (to allow for fire drills, field trips etc.)

Routines Are activities and procedures that occur regularly Often involve a series of responses Preschool routines typically include: Arrival time Bathroom time Cleanup time Departure Nap time Snack time Story time

Daily Schedule Blocks of time for classroom activities Sequence of classroom activities Preschool schedules typically include: – – – – – Group or circle time Activity or center time Snack time Outdoor time Story time

Routines and schedules are important because: They influence a child’s emotional, cognitive and social development. They help children feel secure. They help children understand expectations. They help reduce behavior problems. They can result in higher rates of child engagement.

Activity 1 Pair-Think-Share Pair with a partner Think about all the steps involved in 4 classroom routines and write them in the partially completed chart Share your routines and talk about what might happen if you completed the steps of each routine in a different order

Steps in Daily Routines Routine Steps Story time Sit in a circle, listen, look at pictures, answer questions about story

Things to Consider in Daily Schedule Planning: Balance the activities Number of activities available Number of adults available Child’s attention span Child’s level of alertness Child’s cultural and linguistic background Longer play periods result in increased play behaviors

What Makes a Good Daily Schedule? Balance of Activities Active and Quiet Large Group and Small Group Indoor and Outdoor Child-Directed and Teacher-Directed Visual Cue – Use of daily picture schedule – www.environments.com

Activity 2 Divide into small groups Identify a different daily activity (center time, recess, snack time, nap time, etc.) Think about what can go wrong during this activity, possible causes, and ways to minimize or eliminate the problem Share thoughts with large group

Activity 2 Challenges Children get restless and lose interest during circle time Too many children at one center Children play with their snack food Children do not pay attention during story time Children are restless during nap time Possible Causes Solutions

Additional Resources www.environments.com to create and print free daily routine labels