Toddler Routine: How I Set My Two-Year-Old (and Self) Up for Success
Navigating it all
This pandemic has fostered new ways of life. Lots of adjusting, learning, unlearning, and reprogramming. For some families, schools have resumed, but in very unconventional ways – virtual/cyber, isolated, and for others, children are still at home 24/7. It’s not the easiest transition but we are all doing the best we can.
Like all things parenting, navigating homeschooling, and having our children home with us full-time, demands flexibility, patience, and creativity. Children thrive with routine. It’s how they’re set up for success. It helps to give your child a sense of order and knowing what to expect: when it’s learning-time, independent play-time, or when they can expect your full attention. It also makes it easier on yourself to have work windows that you can look forward to, whether they’re standard 9-5’s or not.
Before implementing a daily rhythm, we had a lot more tantrums and days that felt a tad overwhelming or unproductive. Nothing makes me more satisfied than knowing that at the end of the day, my toddler was stimulated, nurtured, and given space to laugh and create, while I honored the same for myself, simultaneously. Establishing something we can both use as guides throughout the days has been a lifesaver.
Here’s what our days (mostly) look like:
5 AM
Wake-up. My alarm goes off and I slowly climb out of bed and begin my morning routine. Waking before my son allows me the space to tend to myself and get that sense of nurturing and productivity before I slow down to be present throughout his ‘school day’. I notice that since curating this mindfulness for myself, my energy levels, mental and creative range, and patience is where I need them to be.
7 AM
Preparation. I begin to set his maxi play mat with all his activities, accessories, and toys for the morning. Afterward, I get his breakfast ready and soak the chosen fruits and vegetables for the day.
8 AM
Our day begins. My son wakes up. We use the potty, nurse, stretch, make the bed, and feed the cat and fish. We then prepare his tea + vitamins/supplements and start making breakfast. I like him to help; it creates enthusiasm around his food and serves as learning and bonding moments.
9 AM
Breakfast, whilst reviewing a lesson from yesterday and going over today’s date, day of the week, and weather. Usually very leisurely and without pressure. I use this time to gauge where on the spectrum his attention span is going to be for the morning. After breakfast, we clean up and pick his outfit, together.
10 AM
One-on-one time. This is where our school day actually begins. We have circle time, song/movement, read, and a subject of choice (sight words, phonics, numbers, colors, time, shapes, geography, etc). We alternate between exercises, but I try to always do at least one flashcard activity and workbook activity. Then we get into the more fun and creative learning styles – STEM toys, arts and crafts, cut and paste, and etc.
11 AM
Brunch. Breakfast for us always consists of fruit. Either fruit bowls, individual fruit, or smoothies. So, around this time, we have a light brunch to hold us over until we have a late lunch.
11:30 AM
Outdoor/nature play. My son LOVES being outside. No matter the season. Spending time outdoors not only is great for wellness and Vitamin D absorption, but it also helps exert energy, pass time, and create space for play and learning. We take daily walks around the neighborhood, find new trails, run a nearby track, or simply find an open area to play sports. This tends to be his favorite part of the morning and the amount of time we spend doing it varies.
12:15 PM
Independent play. Once back home and situated, we come together on his maxi play mat and set-up for independent play. Some examples are puzzles, Montessori toys, animal figurines, sensory bins, pickler climbing triangle and arch, beeswax clay, and homemade salt dough. I love that after a while, he began to associate this with alone time. He knows this is when he is expected to entertain himself.
This is when I prepare for lunch, take some time for myself, and get some actual work done. I do this on and off between independent play and nap-time.
2 – 4 PM
Lunch and nap. We have lunch and start to wind down for nap-time. I’ll usually let him choose a short show to watch (20-30 mins long) while he eats and we’ll engage in some joint media engagement. Interacting and discussing what we’re watching creates conversation around screen time and makes it count, preventing any media/technology guilt on my end.
4 PM
Snack and free play. He normally wakes up around 4-4:30 and from there, he’ll choose his snack and have more independent/free play.
6 PM
Dinner and bedtime routine. This is when we have dinner and play a game as a family, he has his bath, and we settle into our bedtime routine. He partakes in his daily Face-time calls with loved ones and after we read about two books and sing a song, he’s ready for bed.
Then, we do it all again the next day. Each time looking and feeling different than the last (which I appreciate because I thrive with newness. Mundane activities easily bore me).
Slowing down and shifting focus has helped tremendously. Productivity and routine don’t happen the way they used to pre-motherhood, but they still happen. And I’m thankful to be able to achieve this level of mindfulness and foundation in both of our lives.
I hope this helps you to visualize ways that you can create a working routine for you and your toddler. You can use this for a template to adjust to your liking and lifestyle or you can try it out and see how it works for you. Either way, you’ve got this! We’re in it together.
Big love,
Tyler