Some people are just born morning people. (I never was…ask anyone!) Others need a little bit of help to get going in the morning. Especially kids.
For most parents, getting the family ready in the morning can seem like a never-ending battle. It can be even harder if you have a special needs child in the home. It seems like nothing is where it needs to be. And it can feel impossible to walk out the door on time to catch the bus.
A sure-fire way to start your day to establish a morning routine. Studies have shown that regular routines can be beneficial for both adults and children…and they are especially effective for children with learning differences.
Before you start a morning routine, discuss it with your family. Your routine will not be nearly as successful if your family is not on board. The first few weeks may be a little tricky, but with some practice, your mornings can be a breeze.
For kids, I think it is beneficial to have a morning checklist. There are many things to do in the morning, too many for most child to remember. A visible checklist will help remind them what needs to be done.
Check out this FREE printable chart we made at North Coast:
This checklist would be beneficial for students in preschool through 3rd grade. The colors back the checklist fun and engaging. The pictures provide visual clues to emerging readers. (When your child learns how to read, cover up the pictures with post-it notes for added practice.) We recommended putting this in a plastic sleeve and using dry-erase markers. That way, you can wipe it off each night and use it again the next morning.
If our chart still seems too complicated for your child, here is another great option:
Amy from My Name is Snickerdoodle created this simple nighttime chore chart for each of her children. It can easily be customized for your child’s morning routine. I enjoy the magnetic flaps. As your child completes the chore, they close the flap. This way, there are less distractions and they can focus on what is left to do. This would be extremely effective for a child with learning differences or a child who is easily overstimulated. The simple design provides direction and helps them learn. (Click here to see the tutorial!)
How does YOUR family wrangle its morning routine? Tell us in the comments!