Week 4: Finally all your effort will pay off!
Now that your child understands how to follow a multi-step schedule or routine, sit down with your child to design and plan their morning and night time routines (maybe in two separate sittings). If you are new to this series click Here to start at Part 1: Learn the “First/Then” technique. Be sure to check out our Helpful Hints.
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- Involve them in the process of choosing what goes first, then next, and last.
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- Give them instructions on how to ask for help if they feel too tired, or if it is too difficult. “ You can say, mommy I need help with shoes today” or “Can you help me zip my jacket?”
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- Praise and get excited about how much of a big and independent kid they are becoming.
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- Feel free to set time limits if you have a dawdler. Use a visual timer or have them race with a stopwatch and try to set a “world record” with their time each day.
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- Link a desired big kid activity with successful completion of their routines. “Big kids who get themselves dressed, brush their teeth, and eat breakfast without whining earn… (high swing time, getting their nails painted, or extra reading time with mommy and daddy at bedtime).
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- You can start adding star or sticker charts for successful completion of a full routine with the possibility of earning rewards but don’t rush to introduce this. Try to encourage intrinsic (self) motivation first.
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