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Parenting is hard, and the toddler years are no exception. It can be difficult to find a good balance between giving your child plenty of time for play and letting them enjoy their childhood, while also teaching them self-reliance. One way to teach your toddler about schedules is by using a printable template that you can easily put up on any wall in their bedroom or playroom!
We recommend using this free printable that has a flow chart of a typical day. This will help them learn that there are certain times for playing, resting, eating meals, etc., and it can be really helpful if you have to go back to work or school!
To help get an idea of timing, for toddlers over two, we recommend setting a timer for each activity or step. This will help them understand how long they are expected to wait before moving on to the next thing!
With the free printable, I have also included ideas for daily toddler activities. With this flow chart of a typical day, they will be able to learn that there are certain times for playing, resting, eating meals and more! On the schedule template we also recommend adding your toddler’s favorite activities so they can associate waiting with something fun.
How to use this printable :
– Print the toddler schedule chart in color onto a piece of paper or cardstock to hang on a wall or door. For extra help, we have included some additional kids activities to keep them busy every day!
What if the schedule gets thrown off?
– Don’t worry, the toddler schedule is just a guideline. If your toddler needs to take a break from one time of day activity and move on to another that isn’t listed, don’t force them!
Should I wake my toddler up just to stay on a schedule?
– No, if you have an infant or toddler that needs to be woken up each day for a specific time of the day activity then just make sure it is on the schedule.
What about nap times?
– If your toddler takes longer naps during the day or night you can adjust the time slots accordingly to account for those changes and make sure they are still on track with their sleep cycle.
What if my toddler won’t do the activities on the list?
– If your child has trouble with one of these time slots try switching it up or adding another activity
What if I am a lazy Mom and have a hard time sticking to a schedule?
– Don’t worry about it. This is just a suggestion or guideline, you can do what works best for your family and toddler
Should I follow this schedule on the weekends?
– Yes, if your goal is to get consistency, this daily schedule that should be followed everyday.
How do I get my toddler to do the activities on this list?
– These are just a suggestion of what you can do with your toddler in that time slot. You might need to be creative and find something else for them to enjoy, or try adding more than one activity for options if they don’t want to participate in anything listed
– This is not meant to feel like another chore for you or your toddler; remember this can be lots of FUN!
How do I follow through with my scheduled activities without feeling overwhelmed?
– One thing that we can tell you is to have a place for everything. If you know where your toddler’s clothes are, and they are not scattered around the house, then it will be easier to clean up after them, if you have an idea of meals and snacks, it will make meal time go smoother.
What if my toddler won’t cooperate?
– When something isn’t working out how we want it to, it can be frustrating.
– With that being said, you probably know your toddler better than anyone else does and if they are not cooperating with the schedule you have set up for them, then this maybe is just something new and different for a while before they adjust.
I hope this gives you guidance and encouragement on setting up a schedule for your toddler. A great way to teach your toddler about schedules is by using a printable template that you can easily put up on any wall in their bedroom or playroom! With this free downloadable, no-prep schedule for toddlers, you’ll be able to give them plenty of time for play and teaching them self-reliance. This means less stress for you as the parent and more fun with your little one!
