Routines and Emotional Health

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Routines and Emotional Health

• Jessica Singleton, Ph.D.
• Davis Early Childhood Programs

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What are Routines?

• A series of patterns or rituals we perform almost
  every day.
• Schedule A plan/order for the daily routines
• Routines
• Help with emotional regulation
• Decrease conflict
• Guide learning
• Guide social development
• Ease transitions
• Guide positive behavior and safety

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Emotional Development Attachment

• Behaviors to stay near the caregiver
• A feeling of confidence that his or her needs
  will be met consistently, sensitively, and
  lovingly
• Foundation for positive relationships
• Arise from sensitive, responsive care

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Emotional DevelopmentSelf-Regulation and Social
Awareness

• Initially caregiver-directed
• Adults raise expectations
• Refusal before compliance
• Learning expectations
• Basics of empathy

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Emotional DevelopmentSelf-Awareness and
Temperament

• Self-Awareness
• Self vs. other
• I want to do it myself!
• Self-concept

• Temperament
• Inborn characteristics mood, soothability,
  adaptability
• Ability to tolerate stress

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Routines for Emotional Regulation

• Goal Consistency
• Post picture schedules
• Send home a copy of your weekly schedule
• Greet each child by name every single day!
• Check in with each child daily

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Routines to Decrease Conflict

• Post rules
• Provide a cool-off area with a cool-off procedure
• Provide systems for using high-demand toys and
  equipment

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Routines for Safety

• Toy areas should be labeled
• Have a specific line-up spot and
  song/bell/whistle for coming in from outdoors
• Practice safety routines fire drills, earthquake
  drills

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Routines for Social Development

• Provide free play time!
• Practice greeting each other and saying good-bye
  with songs and routines
• Practice sharing, turn-taking, and waiting
• Assign play-buddies

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Routines for Transitions

• Allow children to bring and post pictures of
  their family
• Allow transitional objects
• Offer 5 minute, 3 minute, 1 minute warnings
• Home-school picture schedules

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Routines Tips and Trouble Spots

• Schedules are consistent, yet flexible
• Balanced Activities
• Group-Individual
• Quiet-Noisy
• Indoor-Outdoor
• Planned Transitions
• Plan for trouble spots

• Trouble Spots
• Arrival
• Nap
• Restroom Breaks
• Meals

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Activity

• What are your trouble spots?
• What routines have you used to help manage them?
• What do you want to try?