One-Year-Old Routine

That first birthday is a big milestone!  It marks the end of babyhood, and the beginning of all things toddler.  After returning from a week away with my husband to our son's first birthday, I am very aware of the transition.  Junior is growing up!

 

In preperation ntr this new phase, I am reading Toddlerwise, which has some great suggestions for how to build a schedule for your one-year-old that will help him navigate these changes.  The authors suggest beginning by making a list of your goals for your child.  Then write out the fixed things in the day, like meals and naps, and fill in the rest of the schedule with activities that will allow Junior a chance to grow toward those goals.

 

I found the practice of writing all this out very helpful.  As Toddlerwise points out, it is preferable for parents to direct a toddler's day, teaching and guiding his curiosity, giving him a framework into which he can assimilate new knowledge.  The other alternative is to allow his little hands complete freedom of self direction and then chasing afterwards to pick up the messes.  Proactively planning out Junior's day will hopefully reduce some of the chaos and conflict of life with a toddler.  Sounds good for our son's developing mind and for Mommy's nerves.

 

Surely every family will have different goals and needs, but here's what I came up with for my little guy as a sample:

 

• 7:00am - Wake, Potty time, Bath (every other day), Sippy cup of milk, Breakfast
• 8:00am - Independent Play
• 8:45am - Free Play with Mom (Junior chooses the activity we play together, but we don't wander from activity to activity)
• 9:00am - Potty time, Book
• 9:15am - Naptime
• 11:00am - Wake, Sippy cup of milk, Potty time, Lunch
• 12:00pm - Structured Playtime (Mom picks the activity - right now we're working on sitting to play on a blanket for the first 5 minutes to develop focus and obedience then the rest of the time is more active play)
• 12:30pm - Outside Time / Walk / Visits / Errands (This segment really varies depending on the day and what I want to accomplish)
• 1:15pm - Potty time, Book
• 1:30pm - Naptime
• 3:30pm - Wake, Sippy cup of milk, Potty time
• 4:00pm - Structured Playtime with Mom (This is usually a learning activity at his little table like puzzles or helping him look at books)
• 4:15pm - Couch Time for Mom and Dad (When Dad gets home, he greats our son and then he has free play in the same room with us while we catch up on the day.  He doesn't get our attention until we're done talking)
• 4:30pm - Daddy Time (While Mommy finishes up dinner)
• 5:00pm - Dinner
• 5:30pm - Family Time
• 6:15pm - Potty time, PJ's, Bible story, Singing and cuddling
• 6:30pm - Bedtime

Photo originally uploaded by comedy_nose
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