For many families, weekday mornings can be a chaotic whirlwind of getting kids out of bed, dressed, fed, and out the door for school. Without an established routine, these times can be filled with tantrums, time wasting, and constant reminders - making for a stressful start to everyone's day.
At BUILD Pediatric Occupational Therapy in Cincinnati, we understand how overwhelming mornings can be, especially for children with difficulties following multi-step directions, transitions, or self-care tasks. Our therapists are experts at analyzing patterns and implementing personalized strategies to foster smoother routines.
The Power of Predictable Routines
From an occupational therapy perspective, having a predictable morning routine provides a stable structure and clear set of expectations to guide a child through necessary activities. This supports their ability to:
Follow a sequence of tasks and transitions
Initiate and complete self-care steps independently
Manage their time and responsibilities
Reduce anxiety over unknowns
Build positive habits and feelings of competence
Establishing consistency is key - both in terms of the routine itself and the cues/assistance provided by parents or caregivers.
First, Assess Factors Impacting Routines
Every child and family's situation is unique, so the first step is identifying factors that may be hindering or helping morning habits. Some factors to consider include:
A child's ability to follow directions, sequences, and transitions
Sensory processing issues that impact arousal and attentiveness
Motor skills required for dressing, hygiene, and other tasks
Emotional/behavioral regulation and impulse control
Environmental set-up, sleep schedules, time allotted, etc.
Once you have identified some factors that may be contributing to morning time struggles, it is time to implement interventions! Pediatric OTs may integrate a variety of interventions to establish morning routines, such as:
Visual schedules with words/pictures laying out each step
Timers/alarm clocks to help manage time and transitions
Sensory motor activities to raise alertness levels
Social stories and modeling for desired behaviors
Backward chaining techniques to build independence
Reward systems to reinforce routine habits
The key is finding the right combination of environmental, sensory, physical, cognitive and behavioral supports for each child's unique needs.
Helpful Tips from OTs
In addition to tailored therapy, pediatric OTs often recommend these general tips to make a.m. routines run smoother:
Involve children in establishing routines and responsibilities
Prepare as much as possible the night before (clothes, lunches, etc.)
Build in buffer time for inevitable delays or disruptions
Stick to consistent wake times/schedules, even on weekends
Use checklists and visual aids to promote independence
Limit screen time and other distractions during routines
If the morning hustle has become a dysfunctional, high-stress nightmare, the experienced OT professionals at BUILD Pediatric Occupational Therapy can assess your child's needs and work with your family to develop more positive routines. Schedule an evaluation with us to learn how we can help.
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