How to Create a Schedule for a 5-Year-Old

CHildren in kindergarten have added activities to schedule.

Your 5-year-old has participated in a series of routines for her entire life and she likely does not know it. Keep up the good scheduling work as she enters into kindergarten by treating her like the big girl she is. Set a schedule to strike a balance between her increasing responsibilities and her need to be a child. Start with the basics and build upon such activities as regular meals, naps, play and learning. Guide your 5-year-old--and yourself--through this transition stage from home to school.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Colored markers
• Colorful magnets
• Accomplishment stickers

Instructions

1. 

   Enter a child's activities or chores on a weekly calendar.

   Write a simple schedule to guide your child through his daily activities. Use colored markers to draw a Sunday through Saturday weekly calendar on brightly colored paper. Write "school" on each day he attends kindergarten. Write "play" for play dates and playtime at home. Write "alphabet" or "numbers" into day squares when you will help him learn his letters and numbers. Include a chore, such as "pick up clothes from bedroom floor" or "place dish and cup in sink after snack." Place the calendar on the refrigerator. Put stickers on each chore or activity successfully completed. Give your child a cookie for a successful week.

2. 

   Provide nap time for a 5-year-old.

   Maintain a regular sleep schedule. Wake up your 5-year-old in time to eat breakfast before heading to school. Encourage a nap on days without school. Keep to a routine bedtime schedule.

3. Schedule time each day for learning and for simple chores. Spend a set amount of time each day reading with or teaching letters. Give your 5-year-old an easy task to perform each day. Ask her to place her dish and cup in the sink after her snack.

4. 

   Teach a child to wash his hands.

   Incorporate basic hygiene into your child's daily routine. Encourage him to brush his teeth after meals. Ask your 5-year-old to wash his hands after play and before meals.

5. 

   Let your 5-year-old watch television for set periods.

   Provide time for entertainment. Allow your 5-year-old to watch television for a set period each day. Give her access to a computer on a regular basis.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid scheduling every minute of your child's day. Give him time to do kid things, such as ask you endless "why" questions and run around the yard for no apparent reason.

Resources

• Childzilla: How To Schedule But Not Over-Schedule Your Children