Why Routines Matter

Having a routine for your child to follow may seem like simple common sense, but even the experts agree that in order to feel secure, your preschooler really needs a daily routine.

"Routine is to a child what walls are to a house; it gives boundaries and dimension to his life," says Rudolf Dreikurs, child psychiatrist and author of Children: the Challenge (Plume).

During the preschool years, a child is highly receptive to routines and as she learns to follow them, she'll gain more confidence and self-esteem. "Routines give a child a sense of mastery," says Dr. William Sears, author and pediatrician.

A familiar routine gives children the opportunity to make their own contributions to the flow of events. Once a child knows what to expect, he can take a more active role in the family. For example, a preschooler who wakes before everyone else and heads to the kitchen to get out the bowls and spoons for cereal is actually taking great strides toward independence and learning the importance of teamwork at the same time. This is a clear example of the power of routine to release your child's potential.

A routine isn't necessarily a rigid timetable, but rather a predictable sequence of events followed day after day. Children feel secure when they know what to expect: playtime follows breakfast, naps are usually after lunch, we clean up after supper, and bedtime usually includes a story and prayers.

Since life with a preschooler is filled with unexpected events, leave room for flexibility. When it's clear your child's routine will change a bit, talk to her ahead of time: "Mommy's going to visit Grandma for a few days, and Daddy will be here with you while I'm gone. You can call me after you get dressed and before you go to bed." With enough information, a preschooler with a regular routine is likely to handle changes easily.

Although routines are sometimes hard to maintain, understanding exactly how they benefit your preschooler will make them well worth the effort.

?Barbara Curtis
Writer, Montessori teacher and mother of 11

Breaking the Thumb Habit

Does your preschooler still use a pacifier or suck his thumb? If you're ready for him to break the habit, try these ideas from the American Academy of Pediatrics:

Talk to him. Explain that sucking is something babies need, like bottles and diapers, but now that he's getting bigger, he doesn't need to suck his thumb or pacifier anymore.
Give gentle reminders throughout the day. This might be all he needs to make him aware of the habit.
Use rewards. Encourage him when he doesn't suck his thumb with star charts, small treats, an extra story at bedtime.
Find fun things to do. If you find that he sucks his thumb when he's bored, turn his attention to fun activities you can do together like painting or building a city out of blocks.
Restrict the pacifier to his naps and bedtime, then only to naptime. As he outgrows his naps, he'll also outgrow his need for the pacifier.
Talk to your doctor. If your child can't seem to break the habit, check out a "thumb guard," an adjustable cap taped to the thumb.

For more information, check out the AAP's Web site at: www.aap.net

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