Why (some) routine is useful

HIBERNATION HUB

Social media is awash with suggested schedules, has anyone else found it utterly overwhelming? No parent needs to be sold the idea of routine, we all know the benefits for eating, sleeping and just getting out the door some days. The more notice a child has of what comes next, the easier it is for them to grasp our expectations of them.

These are however exceptional times and the idea that anyone can diarise the week into half hour chunks covering every subject under the sun, whilst caring for multiple children, holding down their jobs and keeping on top of the house is a little ludicrous. Overnight we haven’t become teachers and our children can’t be expected to accept a regimented homeschooling schedule.

But, that’s not to say free-fall would help either.

In Montessori; order, predictability and boundaries form the foundation to every classroom, but we don’t micro-manage activities.

We observe and then tweak the environment around the child to enable their innate love of learning to flourish, and adopting this approach might make the next few months a little more manageable, and dare we say…..even enjoyable. Do what works for you and remain flexible, there isn’t a right or wrong approach but these are our tips for creating a rhythm, the Montessori way:

Schedule

Co-design a schedule for snacks, meals, naps and walks outside the home. Visualise it on a wall.

Boundaries

Set boundaries to create predictability and be sure your child understands them. Are some areas of the house off limit because a parent is working? Work with your child to design and install signage for the ‘office’ and involve them in setting it up with a desk, plant and family photo. Their involvement in boundary creation will support their understanding.

Spaces & materials

Create inviting play areas which offer choice. Deciding for your three year old exactly when they will paint, exercise, sleep and sing will fall flat. My son has conveniently chosen this week to drop his only nap and there’s nada I can do about it! Allow free-flow access to a limited, but accessible choice of craft materials, books, tools and toys, but don’t overwhelm your child. The more inviting the space looks, the more likely they’ll initiate the play and remain focused for longer.

Follow your child

Follow your child’s interest (lots more on this later). Don’t waste precious time planning activities, instead sit back and observe. Let their imagination do the planning for you. What ideas or materials can you add to the mix? What were they hooked on yesterday and how can you take it further? Could a newfound interest in garden wildlife lead to constructing a bug hotel, making a bird feeder or painting pebbles as ladybirds? There are opportunities for literacy and maths in everything you do, don’t stress about forcing it.

Clean up

Clean up after each activity together. Not only does this reduce the evening clean up (when you should be kicking back with a drink) but it helps create order and predictability, which in turn helps your toddler feel a little more settled.

Replicate activities

Replace missed activities (like ballet, football or music classes) with living room or garden versions. Most of the Crouch End providers have taken their classes online so you can usefully stick to your child’s usual timetable for familiarity.

Differentiate weekends

Differentiate weekends from weekdays. This is easier said then done for us working parents now working disjointed 7 day weeks, but if you can, think less structure, long lazy meal times and plenty of whole family fun.

Step back

Don’t interrupt your child’s focus. You might not consider lining up cat biscuits as constructive learning, but in doing so they’re testing their understanding of form, scale, order and developing fine motor skills. Leave them be.

Trust that your toddler has all the tools they need to entertain themselves. They’re imaginative, resilient, adaptable and always entirely in the moment so give yourself a break, tear up the terrifying schedule and take your child’s lead.

Karen Partridge founded Playhood and is mum to a two year old.

Laura Perfetti is an experienced Montessorian and Playhood Head of School.

Read more about the Montessori approach at Playhood here and drop us an email to find out more.