Routines and transitions are important parts of a child’s day. When done right, they help children feel safe and confident, and they offer great learning opportunities.
Did you know that routines and transitions are not just about keeping the day on track? They also play a big role in your child’s language development.
When children follow daily routines, they hear familiar words and phrases repeated, helping them learn new vocabulary. Transitions, like moving from one activity to the next, offer great opportunities for listening, following directions and building communication skills. By using routines and transitions intentionally, you can help your child grow their language abilities while creating a smoother, more predictable day.
Here’s how you can make the most of routines and transitions to support language learning and create a calm and productive environment for your child.
Stick to Predictable Routines
Children thrive on consistency. Following a predictable schedule each day helps them know what to expect, making routines easier for everyone. When your child knows what’s coming next, they feel more secure and less anxious.
This also means fewer power struggles and more time for meaningful conversations.
Tips for routines:
- Use familiar language: Start with simple words and phrases that your child understands. Over time, slowly introduce new words and more complex language.
- Be consistent: Carry out routines in the same way each day. For example, if you always sing a song during bath time, use it over and over in this routine. This consistency helps your child learn and feel comfortable.
- Make it fun: Sing songs about daily activities like brushing teeth or putting on shoes. You can even make up your own! Songs are a great way to keep routines engaging while also building language skills.
Turn Transitions into Learning Opportunities
Transitions can often be tricky, but they are also moments full of learning potential. Whether it’s moving from playtime to lunch or getting ready for bed, transitions help your child develop skills like listening, following directions, and problem-solving.
Tips for smooth transitions:
- Give advance warning: Let your child know ahead of time when a transition is coming. For example, “In five minutes, it’s time to clean up.”
- Use signals: Create a fun signal to mark the transition, like clapping hands, ringing a bell, or singing a song. Pair the signal with clear words so your child understands what’s happening.
- Use visuals: Picture schedules or other visuals can help children understand what comes next and feel more prepared.
- Don’t rush: Make sure you allow enough time for the transition. Children don’t like to feel rushed, and giving them extra time helps things go more smoothly.
- Play a game during the transition period: When moving from one activity, keep your child busy and happy with activities like singing songs, making up rhymes, or playing a quick game of “I Spy.”
With these simple strategies, routines and transitions can become easier and more enjoyable for both you and your child. They’ll also help your child build important life skills!
Learn more:
- Visit the First Words website at www.firstwords.ca.
- Follow us on Instagram at @firstwords_psl.
- If you are concerned about your child's communication development, complete our First Words Communication Checkup online screening tool. It is free, quick and easy to use. You can screen, get results and refer if needed in one single activity.
