Do it yourself: routine cards

Early childhood education specialists and families, who raise children respectfully from birth agree that daily routines promote children's confidence and independence.

Knowing what the next step is makes it easier to transition from one activity to another. Routines also give children the opportunity to get involved in family life and help them learn new skills in a safe and familiar environment.

We use routine cards with our own daughters and are sharing them with you. In this printable .pdf file, you will find 27 cards and a frame for arranging the sequences. The actions depicted on the cards will help you put together

• bathroom routine;
• evening or morning routine;
• the need to dress appropriately for the weather;
• the course of the day or part of the day.

You can prepare the cards together, discuss each symbol, color them in, or, if you wish, reinforce them by gluing them onto colored cardboard. You can use these cards to arrange the desired sequences for different situations or use them as reminders by sticking them in the right place (e.g., a hand washing sign next to the sink).