Why it matters: The brain craves predictability - it is quite literally making and testing predictions all the time. Kids brains like predictability even more, because there is so much uncertainty when adults are basically running your life and telling you where to be and what to do. Summer is usually a whole mess of unpredictably - camp one week, family next, a holiday in a new place. We want to ease kids back into the school year by reintroducing routines that create a sense of calm, predictability and safety.
Age specific practical tips:
Under 3s: Ease into nursery routines - preschools and nurseries emphasise routine because they know how well toddler brains do it. Lunch at the same time like clockwork, story and nap time always predictable. Start to integrate one of these routines into your day-to-day so they get used to a simple routine they will expect to have at nursery. Keep lunchtime to the same time and place all this week and add the routine of washing hands and picking up their waterbottle or getting a drink.
Age 4-6: Back to bedtime routines: If bedtime has slipped later and later, start to readjust back to sensible sleep times. Gradually shift bedtime and wake-up time 15 minutes earlier each day. Make a simple sleep chart with stickers to make it a fun game and reward success. Work together to come up with a routine they enjoy. In my house we do reading, followed by mindfulness meditation before bed (both my kids love Our Floating Bed podcast, we’ve used it for years)
Age 7+: Early bedtimes + new routines: The goal is to build independence and a sense of ownership over their morning. Create a to do list for the next morning that resembles what you would do on a school morning. For example, get up, have breakfast, get dressed and get ready to go out. Go somewhere fun after this routine as a reward. Try to do this a few days this week to get back into old habits and routines.
Day 1 Checklist:
🔲 Set bedtime and wake time back by 15 minutes
🔲 Pick one age-appropriate routine activity to practice
🔲 Praise small wins as you transition back to more predictable schedules
🔲 Encourage independence and ownership (and self-regulation) by involving your kids in what goes into the routine
Day 2: We’ll dive into tackling the fear of the unknown and how to help your child feel safe and familiar with their new school setup
Quick one: I am launching PASS (Parenting for Academic Support and Success) an evidence-based guide to raising kids who love to learn. Know how much you should be reading to them? When to stop? How to support maths and science? What keeps kids curious? This will be everything you need for supporting kids 5-10 with education.
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