I shared in this previous post about the first step in developing a child’s organisation skills, and here’s the second part, complete with free downloadable materials that I created.
Step Two: Create a Family Calendar
Track everyone’s birthdays, school term dates, and activities, on a prominent and accessible calendar, encouraging each child to add his/her own entries. – As this is a family calendar, it has to be placed somewhere common, like on the fridge, or somewhere in the kitchen. – There should be one row per family member, as everyone has different schedules.
Look at, and talk about, the calendar daily, whenever you make plans, as children enjoy counting down the days to each event. – Children can learn to count and track the number of days before an event. For example, “Two more days, till we go to the supermarket!”
Over the weekend, update the calendar for the week ahead. – Use a seven day structure, to help your child feel in control, and to keep his/her world in order. – They learn how to predict what happens next, and can easily go to the calendar to check, if they forget. – This also helps them to organise their minds.
Step Three: Develop a Daily Schedule
Create the daily schedule with your child, allowing for personal preferences. – Set daily times for regular activities, such as meals, homework, chores, bedtime, and free play. – Remember that each child is different, and some may prefer to tackle their homework as soon as possible, while others need time to unwind before settling down to do their work.
The routine will need to vary, in order to accommodate specific weekly activities, such as music lessons on Monday, and gym classes on Tuesday. – However, aim to make the schedule as consistent as possible, to develop a daily routine that enables your child to see the world as organised and predictable.
The daily schedule helps your child to predict the events within each day, but should not be rigid. – This provides the idea of structure, and allows your child to feel in control. – You can, and should, skip activities when necessary. For example, if your child wakes up later than usual from his/her nap, or if he/she has had a bad day.
Display each child’s daily schedule prominently in a central place, where they can be seen easily. – You can choose to place it in his/her room, to differentiate it from the family calendar.
I used the 3M Post-it® Big Pad to create both our family calendar and Noah’s daily schedule, as they are literally large Post-it® notes, and can be easily stuck onto any smooth surface. I then added some 3M Scotch® Expressions Masking Tape at the corners, to make them look more attractive.
3M Post-it® Big Pad
Our Sample Family Calendar
Noah’s Sample Daily Schedule
Showing Grandma his daily schedule
Do note that for young children who are unable to read, you should use pictures as much as possible. You can even put photos of each family member in the extreme left column, instead of writing ‘Daddy’ or ‘Mummy’, or use pictures in the top row of the daily schedule, in place of ‘Morning’, ‘Afternoon’, and ‘Night’. The daily schedule can be broken down into greater detail for older children, especially those who are able to tell time.
If you would like to make your own family calendars and daily schedules, you can save some time by downloading the pictures I used: Pictures for Calendar
As I mentioned in my previous post, C and I both found the workshop really useful and practical. Here are more details on the upcoming workshops:
Julia Gabriel Positive Parenting Workshops
26th Sept Developing your Child’s Imagination 24th Oct Developing your Child’s Critical Thinking 21st Nov Developing your Child’s Social and Emotional Awareness
$65 per person / $110 per couple (Enjoy a 10% discount from your 3rd workshop onwards) Workshop materials and light refreshments will be provided. Please call 6733 4322 or email adulteducation@juliagabriel.com to register, as there are limited spaces available. More information on the Julia Gabriel Positive Parenting Workshops can be found on this website.
*We were invited to attend the workshop for the purpose of this review. All photos and opinions are our own.
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