The Importance of Creating Toddler Routines

I’d keep hearing advice to implement toddler routines into my day. The benefits seem to make sense: predictability, better transitions, less tantrums and meltdowns. But what exactly does a toddler routine schedule look like? And how can I structure my days, especially around one nap?

Sometimes life is disrupted—an irregular toddler sleep schedule or moving to a new home. Having toddler routines can help lessen tantrums and offer my two-year-old twins a sense of familiarity.

The benefits of having toddler routines

Little rituals fill our whole day. Putting their toys on the couch before meal times or placing clothes into the hamper before bath times. Even our daily flow has a rhythm that relies on a general structure—a template of sorts that we fill in.

I’ve found several other benefits that a toddler routine provides, including:

1. Fewer power struggles

When we tell our kids every day, “It’s bath time—let’s clean up your room,” they doesn’t resist. Cleaning up their room is just what we do when it’s bath time.

When it’s time to take a nap, they know they’re supposed to lie in bed and rest, and that eventually they’ll wake up and we’ll come get them.

Routines do the parenting work for you. You don’t need to nag to get the next task done. Your child won’t throw a tantrum at the park when you say you’re heading home for lunch.

These are activities kids expect as normal because we do them all the time. They won’t question every decision or assume we made them because we’re being mean.

2. A sense of security

When you’re a child, anxiety is worse when you’re not even aware of your emotions. Anxiety can happen any time, but some common culprits include new environments and people, a change of plans, a disruption of routine, or a separation from the familiar.

Routines prepare your child for what’s coming up so not everything is brand new. With expectations, he’s able to overcome anxiety, especially to new events, experiences, and people.

Routines also lessen the fears or anxiety your child may have while you’re out and about. If you’re taking a family trip, you can rely on your regular routine to reassure him that all is well. You might be in a different city, but you can still implement the same nap and bedtimes, for instance.

The familiarity calms him enough to enjoy the trip rather than worry or miss being away from home. Kids thrive on predictability. They don’t like the uncertainty of not knowing what’s ahead. When they know what to expect, they don’t have to worry about yet another new change.

Because of predictability, a child can spend less time feeling anxious or worrisome. Instead, he uses that time to play, relax, and explore. He doesn’t have to worry whether something unpleasant will come up.

3. Self-initiation

After meal times, our kids run to the bathroom and climbs on the steps. Here, they wash their hands and faces as well as brush their teeth without us asking them.

Reminding your child over and over to do something isn’t pleasant. With routine, you don’t have to: he knows exactly what to do. Without reminders, he knows to take off his shoes when he comes home. He puts dishes away right after eating, and he heads straight to the bathroom to wash his hands.

Without a consistent routine, your child won’t know what to do. He has to think about whether he’s supposed to go straight to the bathroom or take his shoes off first. Routines get rid of deciding what to do next and instead encourage his self-initiation.

And as your child grows, you want him to initiate responsibilities and do things on his own. Eventually he’ll go to school or spend less time with you. Raising a self-sufficient child starts with implementing routines.

4. Spontaneity

Yes, routine means you can be more spontaneous! Using a predictable structure allows you to accommodate spontaneity. Think weekend fun and family vacations. You’ve built expectations so your kids are more likely to “be game” for new adventures.

You can pull off off special events, from outings to the beach to a large family reunion. Your child will also adjust to new or scary experiences, such as a trip to the dentist, a new school or caregiver.

Your child won’t focus his energy on preparing himself for the new and unexpected. When you need to be flexible, it’ll come as a pleasant surprise rather than a change to worry about.

These days our toddler routine on a weekend can include:

• 7am – wake up and eat breakfast
• 9:30am – snack time
• 12pm – lunch
• 1pm – nap
• 4pm – snack
• 6pm – dinner
• 7pm – bath
• 7:30pm – bedtime

How to structure toddler routines

Every family is different, including when kids nap and for how long. That’s why I base my routine on “pillars” such as sleeping and eating. Smaller routines are consistent so my kids learn to run on autopilot. Everything else between is flexible.

As I say in my book, No Cranky Naps:

“These are what I call ‘pillars’: events in your day that will establish your daily routine. Structure your days so you’re doing the same things around the same times. Rather than eating lunch at random times, aim to have lunch at a certain time—11am, for instance. Establishing a set time for each activity makes it easier for you to remember and stick to them.

Even if you don’t do things at the same time every day, try to follow a general ‘rhythm’ and do them in the same order. Should you need to divert away from your schedule, you’re at least following the same sequence of your routine.”

You’ll see what I mean in a minute. Here’s a sample routine I’ve used, but feel free to adjust as you see fit. I’m also using a non-school day as an example.

Wake up (7am)

Stick to a consistent wake up time every day. My husband and I get our kids up at 7am, even if they’re awake earlier than that. Surround your wake up time with the little steps I mention. For instance, when my kids wake up, they all use the potty or toilet. Then they return to their room to get dressed for the day. My two-year-old twins will use the potty then put on diapers on before changing.

Breakfast

Once you dress your child, it’s time for breakfast. Prepare the same meal on most days. For us, that’s oatmeal with a side of fruit. They don’t complain despite eating it every day. Preparing the same meal makes your day less hectic when you have one less task to worry about. Add variety with your sides as well as lunch and dinner.

Wash up

If your toddler is anything like mine, his breakfast is all over his hands and mouth once he’s finished. After breakfast, walk your toddler to the bathroom to wash and brush his teeth. Do this each time so you won’t have to remind him to head to the bathroom.

Free time

The hours between breakfast and lunch are what I call “free time.” Here you can include anything you want. Plan small activities like a craft, or head to the park for their daily play time. Bring them to story time at the library, or make time for independent play.

Toddler routines aren’t as strict as they sound. You stick to your pillars but leave the time between free to do anything.

Snack (9am)

During your free time, include snacks if your toddler gets hungry. Snacks vary depending on our activity. In most cases, we snack at home before heading out. Sometimes we need to be out and about before snack time, which means we pack snacks or buy them when we’re out.

Lunch (11am)

Keep lunch time consistent every day. We stick to an 11am lunch time, whether we’re home or out and about. If you plan to eat out, make reservations 30 minutes earlier than your normal lunch time. That way, your toddler will be eating by the time they bring the food.

Nap (12pm-2pm)

Many toddlers take one mid-day nap. My twins sleep from 12pm to 2pm every day, even at preschool. Create small nap time routines if your toddler has a difficult time transitioning: read books, sing songs, and do a special tuck in routine.

Make sure your child’s room is also conducive to sleeping. Draw the curtains, turn on white noise, and remove loud toys.

Then, consider a small routine after your toddler wakes up, especially if he wakes up cranky from a nap. Read books while lounging in bed. Offer him milk. Snuggle for a few minutes before drawing the blinds or turning off the white noise.

Does your toddler wake up cranky for naps? My guide, No Cranky Naps, gives you the exact tips, strategies, and mindset shifts to finally turn those cranky naps around. Want to see if it can work for you? Download a preview chapter, at no cost to you. You’ll also get my newsletter, which parents say they LOVE:

“Your newsletters always hit the nail and are so deeply touching! Thank you, Nina!” -Pamela Tabellini

Free time

Like the mornings, afternoons also include free time after nap. Depending on your day, you can plan an outing such as visiting family or running an errand. Or keep things simple by playing with toys for preschoolers at home and taking a walk around the block.

Snack (3pm)

Offer a light snack between lunch and dinner if your toddler gets hungry between meals. Use little steps like washing hands and putting dishes in the sink to build automatic habits.

Dinner (5pm)

Dinner for us is at 5pm, whether we’re home or out and about. Incorporate little routines like washing hands or carrying their utensils to the table.

Downtime

If you’re at home, keep post-dinner activities simple and carefree. Let your toddler play with toys and read books. Provide plenty of independent play time. Use this period to prepare for his bath and bed.

Bath time (6:45pm)

Stick to a consistent bath time so your toddler knows to expect it. Start with brushing his teeth, then run the water in the tub. Encourage him to put his dirty clothes in the hamper. You may even want to introduce the potty and have him sit while the water runs.

Change into pajamas (7pm)

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After bathing and playing, put on his diaper, apply lotion if you like, and dress him in pajamas.

Include nice touches like combing his hair or massaging his arms and legs. Give him a special stuffed animal and snuggle with a few books. Then tuck him into bed, sing songs, and turn off the light. Make sure the room is soothing—buy heavy curtains to keep the room dark, and remove loud toys.

Sleep (7:15pm)

My two-year-old twins sleep at 7:15pm. They then sleep through the night and are up for the day at 7am  the next morning.

Conclusion

I’m a huge fan of routines, as you can see. They’re not restricting as they seem to be. Instead, they offer parents building blocks to structure their day. Better yet, kids thrive with routine. They don’t like not knowing what’s coming up. Rather than  worry and feel anxious, they can focus on playing and thriving instead.

The best part? Routines allow for more flexibility. When you’ve got a solid foundation, your kids won’t freak out if you decide to push lunch time later for today. They’ll welcome changes to routine because of the predictability they’ve grown used to.

A routine means the difference between a restful child and an anxious, overtired one. When we all know what to expect, we don’t have to ask, “What’s next?”

Get more tips on routines:

• 5 Tips to Help Your Overtired Toddler Finally Go to Sleep
• Creating an After School Routine for Preschoolers
• How to Get Your Kids to Clean Up After Themselves
• Parenting Your Strong-Willed Child
• Family Life: How to Have Smooth and Peaceful Days