Parenting Tips: Creating a Visual Routine Chart for Your Young Child

Young children thrive on rules and routines. They may not always want to follow the rules and routines, but it is comforting for them to know what to expect in their every day lives. If you're having trouble getting your child to follow rules and a routine, creating a visual chart can be very helpful. It gives the child something to look at to see what is coming next in her day, helps you to teach your child good behavior, and allows your child to participate in that process.

The first thing you'll need to do is figure out how you want to make your chart. I used Microsoft Word's Table application to create a simple printable one that I can change when I need to. You may want to use poster board, a wipe off board, or other material, for yours.

Next, make a list of the things your young child does during the day. He probably wakes up, eats breakfast, gets dressed and brushes his teeth, for starters, right? To simplify this, you may just want to group all of these things into one item on the list, calling it, "Good Morning," or something else you think of. Other items on the list may include Play Time, Lunch, Nap Time, Story Time, Dinner, Bed Time, etc. On the left side of your chart, going down, write each of the items on your list. You may want to include blank sections to add things that change from day to day, such as a class, running errands, or a visit from a friend.

Since young children can't usually read, I like to include pictures under each word on the list. I used Clip Art pictures I found on Google. Another way to get pictures is to actually take a picture of your child pretending to do each of the activities on the list, and then insert those pictures into the spaces.

Next, you'll have to decide on the rules you want your child to follow. If there are specific things you're working on with your child, such as avoiding potty accidents or not hitting his sister, use those. If its just general good behavior you're hoping for your child to have, you may want to use these rules: Keep yourself safe, keep others safe, keep things safe, do good listening, and use good manners, The first three rules are often used in early childhood education settings. They work well because, first of all, they are positive. Instead of telling the child what not to do, such as no running or no hitting, they tell the child what is expected. Also, they are nonspecific, so they cover just about any behaviors, while still allowing your child to have freedom. Basically, the child is free to play in whatever way he wants, as long as he follows those three rules of safety. I added the last two rules myself. "Do good listening" covers all those times when you want your child to do something right now, such as sit down for lunch, lay down for a nap, or clean up her toys. And its always important to learn good manners!

Put the rules you've chosen across the top of your chart. I also inserted clip art pictures for each rule.

Using the chart can actually be a great way to transition the child from one part of the day to the next. When play time is over and its time for lunch, you can call the child over and say, "Lets see if you followed all of your rules for play time!" Let her place a sticker, or draw a star or smiley face, in each section where she followed the rule well! Going over the chart consistently helps the child internalize the rules. After a while, your child will be able to point out times that she didn't follow the rules. If she didn't follow a rule, be sure to ask her for her version of what happened, and help her come up with an idea about what she will do next time. "Remember when you threw the toy at your sister? That wasn't keeping her safe, was it? Next time, what could you do? You could hand the toy to your sister, or you could use your words to tell her that you're upset."

Using a visual chart is a great way to help kids learn the rules and routine, and give them a way to participate in learning about their own behavior.