“What can we do next, Mama?” My 2-year-old looked at me excitedly waiting for our next project. I love this time with him, but coming up with new projects all the time is exhausting! I try to think of things he loves, and activities that foster development. Fine motor, gross motor, social, academic … there are so many things to think about.
Do you have a daily to-do list for your toddler? How do you know that you are fitting in the most important activities every day to help set them up for success and to help them to thrive?
Creating a routine for your toddler can be difficult. One tantrum or difficult moment can throw your entire day off course. Our daily routine is very flexible, but I love using a daily routine chart to help us remember the most important activities. Be sure to grab your free daily routine chart at the end of this post.
Is It Important To Do Activities Daily?
Kids, especially toddlers and younger children thrive on routine. They feel safe when they have a schedule. They know what’s coming, what’s expected, and can prepare. There is comfort and safety in routine and what they know.
When I was teaching, our days were exactly the same. Every day. The only thing that may have changed was what time our special was. Other than that, we had the same morning basket routine, the same morning circle routine, the same literacy center routine…
I knew the kids were getting what they needed every day. The kids knew what to expect. They were comfortable with what their responsibilities were and could do them in their sleep. Kids thrived because the environment was safe and predictable.
Our daily routine at home is not nearly as strict as my routine at school was, but there are some things we try to do every day. Our days are flexible, depending on the weather and what we have going on, but most days we try to stick to a predictable routine.
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Here are 10 things you should fit into your toddler’s routine every day (or at least multiple times a week)
- Reading – This is something we’ve done with J every day since we brought him home (even when traveling) and it has shown incredible benefits. We read at least three (most days more) books to him. In his younger years, when he was 1 or even 2, we would just sit and read as long as he was interested, sometimes for hours. Since we started reading so young, he is very interested in books. When he was about 2.5 he was able to hold full conversations with adults, and now has an incredible vocabulary for a 3-year-old. People often comment on how impressed they are with his ability to communicate.
Not only is reading important to introduce kids to new vocabulary but it also sets them up for success when they start reading on their own. They are going to be interested in books, and love stories. They will naturally understand that you read left to right, and that letters make up words.
- Time Outside – Going for walks, soaking up the sunshine, and enjoying some fresh air is my favorite way to spend our days…although I am the first one inside on those freezing cold or crazy hot days. I do make this a priority though, because, as stated in this article from childmind.org, “…most of the studies agree that kids who play outside are smarter, happier, more attentive, and less anxious than kids who spend more time indoors.” We often find ourselves going for walks on our local trail (which is more interesting than just going around our neighborhood), J loves to ride his scooter, visit parks, or even just hang out in our yard. Check out our favorite outdoor activities.
- Physical Activity – This goes well with time outside and can be difficult when we can’t get outside. It is important for kids to be physically active daily. Especially younger kids who are learning how to best move and manipulate their bodies, physical activity not only helps them use some of that endless energy they seem to have, but it also helps them learn how to best move in the space around them.
- Fine Motor – This is the most difficult one for us on this list. Having a young boy, the last thing he wants to do is sit down and color. Fine motor skills are so extremely important, and as a kindergarten teacher, we have seen a decrease in these skills as kids are coming into kindergarten. Kids don’t know how to hold pencils or crayons, they can barely write correctly, and using scissors is often out of the question. Buttoning their coat is difficult, and some of those fun activities we plan are frustrating because they can’t get their fingers to do what they want them to do. You may want to check out our post on The Importance of Fine Motor Skills for some ideas on how to practice fine motor skills (that go beyond coloring), especially with active kiddos who don’t seem to want to slow down.
- Rest – We run at a crazy pace these days. Every minute is scheduled, and for these little guys, it’s too much. This can also be the age at which they end napping. Even if your kids don’t take naps, they still need some quiet downtime. J has some quiet time in his room every day. He can look at books, play with his stuffed animals, do a puzzle, any quiet activity that will give his body a break. (This is also good for mama too.) This allows him to have a break from playing so hard and being constantly on the go. He often comes out refreshed and ready to go again.
- Sensory – Sensory activities stimulate the senses through play. Activities that use their senses allow your child to explore the world around them in a way that promotes healthy brain development. Goodstart.org states that [Sensory play] ”…helps to build nerve connections in the brain, encourages the development of motor skills, supports language development, encourages ‘scientific thinking’ and problem solving, and can involve mindful activities which are beneficial for all children.”
Sensory bins are a great (simple) way to fit sensory activities into your daily routine. They help children not only explore the world around them and practice great skills like imagination and problem solving, but they are also a simple way to get your sensory activities in. Check out our favorite sensory bins.
- Chores – I started J with responsibilities as soon as I could. Instead of calling them “chores,” we call them “family contributions.” He has a strong desire to help me with anything I do, so I want to make the most of that. We started with personal responsibility tasks like cleaning up his own toys, clearing his plate from the table, and putting dirty clothes in the hamper. We quickly moved on to other responsibilities such as putting the silverware away, folding washcloths, putting laundry away that he could reach, and feeding the dog. Most of these responsibilities he can do with me. He does the silverware while I do the rest of the dishwasher. He folds the washcloths while I hang the clothes. For more ideas, read about Encouraging Responsibility.
- Time with Friends – Playing with other kids is important. It also offers many benefits such as an opportunity to practice problem-solving, empathy, and cooperation. Kids can practice controlling their emotions and understanding the emotions of others. Check out these simple activities that practice social skills.
- Limited Screen Time – The American Association of Pediatrics recommends no more than 1 hour a day for children older than 2, and no screen time for children under 2. Too much screen time causes lower social skills, lower fine motor skills, and an increase in depression and anxiety in young kids. Kids are much better off playing, exercising their bodies, and strengthing their imagination. Read more about The Surprising Effects of Screentime.
- Free Time – Kids have a difficult time playing alone. I love playing with my boys, so for a long time, I didn’t even realize I wasn’t giving them any time and space to entertain themselves. And then one day, I needed to get some work done. It was nearly impossible. So we practiced.
I used to use our limited screen time to get my work done, but that wasn’t teaching him to entertain himself.
To start, I made sure the tv was turned off and I set a timer. We started with 10 minutes. As long as he knew there was a timer and his time to play alone wasn’t endless, he was fine. Every day, we increased the timer by a few minutes until we reached the level I was comfortable with.
Kids need to be bored. They can use this time to be more creative, imaginative, and even create their own games. They learn problem-solving and practice using their imagination. By allowing your kids to be bored, you are giving them a gift not many kids get these days.
To discover more ways to encourage your child to be more independent, read Fostering Independence in Young Children.
Other Daily Routines to Have In Place for Your Toddler
We also have routines for morning and bedtime. It is important to us to have a predictable routine that we can stick with. We know kids thrive on routine, so having a system that we repeat every day helps them know exactly what needs to be done to get ready in the morning and ready for bed in the evening.
I’ve created a checklist that J can fill out after he’s accomplished his tasks. We put it on the fridge, and he puts a magnet in the box when he is finished.
I’ve also made a checklist of the 10 things you should fit into your toddler’s daily routine so you can keep track of how often your child is accomplishing them. You might be surprised how many times a week they actually can check them off!
To get this checklist, just enter your email address in the form below and I’ll send it right over.
We don’t do all of these things every day. In a perfect world, we would, but we do accomplish these things multiple times a week. As a stay-at-home mom, sometimes schedules get out of control…and if you are a working mom, the limited time you have with your child won’t allow you to do all of these things (although they might do some of these things at daycare).
Remember, just do your best. These activities are the basic things that your child should be doing on a regular basis to set them up to thrive.
Want More?
If you liked this, you’ll love:
Simple Activities to Teach Your Child the Alphabet
30 Genius Role-Play Ideas that Boost Your Child’s Imagination
Best Toys to Keep Your Toddlers Entertained and Learning
Your Turn
What are the most important activities for you to fit into your daily routine?
