When it comes to getting a toddler ready for the day and out of the house it is important to have a toddler morning routine. Long before your child can follow multi step instructions they recognize the daily routines in their life.

Preparation Phase

The first step to an easy morning starts the night before. The morning is not the right time to start packing bags and finding keys. I have found that something that takes 2 minutes at night will take 10 minutes in the morning.

• Pack lunches
• Pack snacks
• Fill water bottles
• Pick clothes for next day
• Set out a quiet kid activity
• Pack your gym bag
• Grab your grocery list
• Gather your ‘returns’
• Put shoes, jackets, hats by the door
• Find sunglasses and headphones
• Make sure your keys were put away

Toddler Morning Routine

Start your coffee and get yourself ready if you have young toddlers.

Wake up your child if you are lucky enough they are still asleep.

Take your child to the bathroom. Even if they are still in diapers and not technically potty training. Let them sit on the toilet and pressure free let them get up and put on a fresh diaper.

Brush teeth while still in the bathroom. We could have a whole discussion about brushing teeth before or after breakfast. A stress free toddler morning routine is our goal. And lets face it… if we waited till after they eat then teeth might not get brushed before we leave.

Time for your toddler to get dressed. Throughout the toddler period they will have different abilities to dress independently. If you have made it through to the independent dressing then let them. If help is still needed then help as little as you can. Toddlers want to be independent.

If they have breakfast at home now is the time. This needs to be an independent eating breakfast. Think not messy and simple. Have some pre-made egg bites. Cheese sticks and apple slices. When we get further from independent mealtime=full outfit change then add back in some yogurt or other messy delicious breakfast.

Finally use the quiet independent activity that you pulled out last night. Things like paper and crayons, building blocks, magnetic tiles, or a lacing/stringing activity are great. We want to make sure we are planning to have the child completely ready for the day at least 10 minutes before leaving the house.

When do I get ready?

Well isn’t that a great question! The toddler morning routine focuses on the toddler being ready to get out the door. We all know 75 percent of the difficulty is having ourselves ready to leave as well.

The difference between an 18 month old and a 3 year old is surprising. When they are younger and learning how to get ready for themselves this is a hands on process. It is easiest to mostly be ready before they wake up. You will have a few minutes while they eat and play for some simple last minute steps.

By the time your child is 3 if you have a consistent routine there will be little intervention by you. At this time you can get yourself ready while they are getting ready.