Daily Schedule Sample

Set up a sensory activity and 2 other areas where children are free to choose to PLAY as they’d like!
Note:
1. Free play time should be no less than 1 hour in length

2. The quality of play is higher if only some toys are set out to play; too many overwhelm children and doesn’t give them the chance to play in depth
Examples:
º Dramatic Play area—housekeeping, vet ’s office, salon
º Block Area—include props and accessories
º Sensory Play—dough, rice, clay, water plus accessories
º Science Center—items for hands-on exploration: plants, rocks, beach glass, magnets, color paddles, texture boards

3. Expose kiddos to different styles of music! Have different music genres playing in the background each day.

Need a few ideas for engaging snacks? Try letting your kidlets create Race Cars, Rice Cake Owls or Cucumber sandwiches. You can also find more kid-friendly snack options here!

•Race Cars Read More

•Rice Cake Owls Read More

• Cucumber Sandwich Read More

Ideally your kiddo will be able to get some fresh air, but if the weather is so bad that going outdoors is not an option, get them using their big muscle groups and expending large amounts of energy indoors.
Note:
1. Children should have the chance to move and groove, use their bodies for no less than ½ an hour—better longer!

2. Examples:
Indoor Obstacle Course
Build an Indoor Fort
Play “Basketball” with rolled up socks and laundry basket
Put some music on and dance!

Enjoy a little quiet time together with a book. Follow it up with some activities, perhaps related to the book. These activities can focus on different concepts such as language arts, math and/or science. OR choose activities that highlight values important to your family: What it means to be a friend; embracing individuality; being kind.
Note: Refer to Go PLAY Activity Cards for learning activities for your child that cover all of those areas!

As always, let kiddos help as much as possible in lunch preparation. During the meal encourage language and social development by interacting with each other. Meal time is meant to be social! BAN all devices from the table! Following lunch, assign them appropriate chores to do!

Some kidlets may nap; others can do quiet activities, like puzzles or play with a quiet book, in their room. Are you crafty? Create your own quiet book for them!

Set up a sensory activity and 2 other areas where children are free to choose to PLAY as they’d like!
Refer to the above AM Free PLAY Note for guidelines.

Being outside in Mother Nature is important for children’s overall health and wellness. It was one of the core principles of preschool—our kidlets went outside every day! Here are 10 reasons why you will want to do the same!

Besides your own backyard or common area:
•Go to your local school. Go early to pick up older sibs from school; let the younger ones PLAY on the playground while they wait for their big sister/brother to get out
•No sibs in school yet? Wait until after school and let your kiddo PLAY OR head out to your local park

The goal is to give them a place to run, jump, leap, chase, and hop around as much as possible! It’ll develop their large muscle groups plus it’s a good way to release any pent-up energy or frustrations. Try an indoor obstacle course!

Create a PEN TABLE for the preschool set if older sibs have homework to do OR set out items for them to create their own art project. For example: Painting at an easel.

RECALL: For young children, art is about the PROCESS not the end product!

●If older sibs have after-school activities, plan to take along some all-in-one activities to keep your kiddos busy without reaching for a device!
Examples:
◦Geoboards
◦Origami
◦Shape Lacing
◦Mini flannelboard & felt piece stories
◦Texture Balls

Aim to have most family meals together. It’s the perfect time to focus on communication and relationship building!
Insure NO electronic devices are allowed at the table!!
Here are some tips so your family can meet around the dinner table.

•Bathe
•Get into pajamas/nightgown
•Brush and floss teeth
•CHOOSE bedtime story to read!
•Last rituals before saying goodnight
For example:
°saying prayers
°drink of water
°back rub
°kiss goodnight
°turn the night light on

Before turning the light off, you might be interested to know how much sleep a body needs!
(Total) Sleep Requirements:
◦Babies, 4-11 months need 12-16 hours of sleep
◦Toddlers, 1-2 years need 11-14 hours
◦Preschoolers, 3-5 years need 10-13 hours; and
◦School-aged children, 6-13 years need 9-11 hour to grow and develop optimally

Examples of chores appropriate for young children:
◦Put cereal bows in dishwasher
◦Put night clothes away in dresser
◦Tidy bed and/or make bed
◦Feed/water family pet
◦Throw a ball for the family dog
◦Brush the family dog
◦Assist in set ting the table
◦ Sort laundry
◦Assist in putting groceries away
◦Collect newspaper to set out to recycle
◦Dust
◦Water plants
◦Put toys away

Some examples—not an exhaustive list by any means! Choose 1 style a day or stay with one style for a week.
◦Folk
◦Jazz
◦Country
◦Classical
◦Rhythm & Blues
◦Gospel
◦Opera
◦Big Band
◦Blue Grass

This isn’t an exhaustive least nor should it be considered mandatory—collect as you go along!

◦Variety of papers—construction, tissue, cellophane, cardboard, crepe paper, origami paper, newsprint
◦Colored pencils
◦Colored markers
◦Stencils
◦Stamps & stamp pads
◦Scissors—with different edges
◦Paper punch—various shapes
◦Different sizes/colors envelopes
◦Glue sticks
◦Masking tape—different colors & transparent
◦Stamps & stickers
◦Include “loose parts” adding collections of ribbons, beads, sequins, tubes, materials scraps, lids

Fill in the following chart to help organize your families plans and activities! THEME:_________________________________________________________________  WEEK:_________________________________________________  

  WEEKEND FAMILY TIME: