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  • How to Get Out the Door Without Frustration: Toddler morning routine

    How to Get Out the Door Without Frustration: Toddler morning routine

    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.

  • How to Enjoy Your Toddler Years Age.

    Are you enjoying the toddler years age? Do the two’s need to be terrible? Where did my threenager learn this stuff! Strangers always commenting “You’ve got your hands full.” Toddlers really get a bad rap. This article will discuss various ways to ease some frustration during the toddler years age.

    Preparation for the toddler years age

    First of all there will be spills and meltdowns. Its a fact. Knowing how to prepare for them is extremely important.

    Your toddler’s receptive language is not at the same level the same as their expressive language. Because of this many meltdowns originate with our toddler not being able to express their needs and be understood. A simple way to help is to have pictures available for your toddler to point to.

    After they point to the picture respond as if the request was vocalized. “You would like a glass of milk.” Sign language for common requested items is very helpful and another great option.

    Toddler Years Age

    Independence for toddlers

    Also keep in mind an important part of the toddler life is independence. Encourage independence at every opportunity.

    Let them have the chance to put on their pants. Yes, they will be backwards often. Resist the urge to correct them initially.

    Toddlers are developmentally at a point where they are looking to be independent.

    Let the child lead in the toddler years

    Practice letting the child lead (sometimes) and just watch them.

    That is to say put the phone down. Turn off the TV or tablet. Don’t narrate everything that happens (there is a time for that). Don’t try to entertain or optimize the moment. Give the child a chance everyday to be free to explore.

    How to survive the todder years

    Practice and scaffold new skills

    Use the scaffolding system when it comes to new skills. If you take a step back and watch without helping at the first sign of struggle you will see exceptional problem solving skills. Praise the hard work and creative solution!

    Above all accept where your toddler is and provide lots of opportunities to practice skills. Let the child clean the spill and accept it wont be perfect. Because you know they will happen prepare the space with towels the toddler can use to clean up.

    The toddler years age can be full of joy and frustration. Toddlers who have the chance to explore their world and plenty of opportunities to try new things thrive.