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Home > Ready for Life > Parents > Temperament > About Temperament > Tips For Working With The Need For Physical Routine
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        • Tips for Working With Activity Level
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Tips For Working With The Need For Physical Routine

four-year-old Japanese boy gets his teeth brushed by his motherTips for Working with a Child Who Prefers Physical Routines

Friends, Family and Home

  • Tell family members who are caring for her what her routines are.
  • Keep family routines, such as bedtimes, and warn ahead of time when they are going to change.
  • Encourage friendships with children who have positive habits and routines.
  • Allow baby to set his own sleep and eating routines and try to follow them.

Learning, Childcare and School

  • Tell teachers what her routines are, and let them know when her routine has been upset.
  • Choose a more structured childcare program where general schedules are followed.
  • As much as possible, maintain the same routines at home as at childcare, including nap times, mealtimes, etc.

Activities and Television

  • Provide him with activities such as board games that are more structured and follow routines, as well as games such as “Charades” and pretend games that are less structured.
  • Allow her some unplanned play time.
  • Recognize that his favorite TV show may seem very important, and try to allow a system for that to be part of his routine.

Guidance and Discipline

  • Tell her and prepare ahead if there will be changes in her routine.
  • Stay aware of his bathroom routine even if you are busy.
  • Bring snacks along if her meal routine may be disturbed.
  • Take familiar objects on trips, such as pillows or favorite bubble bath, and maintain routines as much as possible.

Tips for Working with a Child Who Likes Variety in Physical Routines

Friends, Family and Home

  • Toddler girl happily watches her mother unload a clothes dryerChange up family routines occasionally, such as bedtime or household chores.
  • Encourage playtimes with friends to be at the same time, such as after nap or homework.
  • Make family routines, such as brushing teeth or cleaning up a game, or use songs for variety.

Learning, Childcare and School

  • Tell teachers that routines are hard for him.
  • Ask teachers to provide flexibility in the order of the day, such as allowing her to choose when to do certain activities.
  • Share some of the same routine schedules from school at home – that may include nap times, mealtimes, etc.

Activities and Television

  • Schedule fun things, like watching a favorite TV show, as a routine for him to follow.
  • Encourage lessons such as piano, baseball, etc. that require routine.
  • When on trips and outings, try to maintain habits, such as mealtime and naps as much as possible.

Guidance and Discipline

  • Provide her with a clock, watch, schedule or visible means of keeping up with time.
  • Provide him with flexible routines and schedules.
  • Warn her ahead of time about an upcoming routine event, such as bedtime or dinner.
  • Make sure that he gets adequate sleep and eats regular meals.
  • Watch for signs of hunger and sleepiness to be at different times for a baby.

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