Let's Make a Schedule! Kiddo Edition

Whether it's because of the additional time your kids may have at home these days or it's just time to start organizing your days more with your little ones, we want to help! Schedules are an incredible tool for keeping the kiddos feeling calm and focused as they know what to expect throughout their day. And it helps you, as the chaos organizer, to know what to expect also, as well as having something to point back to throughout the day.

I love using schedules to remind the kids what's coming next, giving them things to look forward to and helping them to stay on track for the current activity. "Just a little longer, and then we will do that."

Creating a schedule for the day is different than having routines (more posts to come on the benefits of routines in your toddler/preschooler's life!), but having a schedule can give much needed structure to the day and even help you move in the direction of having set routines.

While you can create the schedule on your own, consider doing it with your kiddo, giving them a part in helping make some of the decisions (would you like to go to the park or read a book first), and if they are up for it, draw out the activity. There are many resources online to help with creating schedules, but if you like simple formats, we have the printout for you! We have created one that has a place for you to draw and write each element of your day. And if you are not the artist sort, we even have a printout with a few pictures ready to cut and paste (many of which just happen to be in our favorite colors!). Just double click on any of the pics and it will link you to a printable PDF!

Just Created! An editable color-coded schedule! Just click on the link to open in Google Docs, select "File" and "Make a Copy" and it is yours to customize!

However you decide to schedule out your day with your kids, keep it simple and fun. And let us know how it goes!