• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Shop
  • Resources
    • Free Resource Library (Subscribe for Password!)
    • Must-Reads for Parents and Teachers
    • Children’s Books
  • About
    • About Jean
    • About Montessori
  • Contact Jean

Jean Kermode

Montessori Consulting

July 21, 2018

How to Create a Simple Routine for Preschoolers

Learn the benefits of routines vs. schedules for an orderly school day, and every day! Plus, check out these 7 tips for designing your own daily routine. 

Struggling to stick to your schedule? Learn how a daily preschool routine might work better at www.jeankermode.com Plus findback to school pre-k resources, free downloads, and Montessori printables. #montessori

Pin me!

“Order is one of the needs of life which, when satisfied, produces real happiness.”

– Maria Montessori

Schedules and three-year-olds don’t always mix well.

The schedule starts out beautifully, especially on paper, with color-coded time boxes for everything from meal-time to story-time. It fits all the necessary events in tightly and wraps ’em all up just in time for the end of the day.

Then, after a brief lapse of discipline on your part and a temper tantrum on the three-year-old’s part, we’ve skipped the morning weather check for the third time this week and rushed through a quarter of this morning’s lessons. And then, just as Suzie finally seems focused with an activity, it’s time for lunch.

What to do?

Here are a few options:

  1. Continue on as a drill sergeant. Show no mercy to poor Suzie. It’s lunch time and we have a schedule to keep. Struggle against your kids/students all day.
  2. Abandon schedules and structure altogether and go with the flow all day. Ignore Maria Montessori’s words concerning order. Accomplish close to nothing.
  3. Develop a routine instead of a schedule. Find stability in the order of the day, and freedom for spontaneous activity. Experience less stress, more joyful days, and easier resets after difficult days.

Let’s go with option 3, shall we?

But first…what’s the difference between a routine and a schedule?

Table of Contents

  • What’s the Difference: Routine vs. Schedule
  • The Benefits of a Routine Over a Schedule
  • How to Create Routines

_

Routine vs. Schedule

Put simply, a routine is a schedule with few or no time limits.

Here is an example:

Struggling to stick to your schedule? Learn how a daily preschool routine might work better at www.jeankermode.com Plus findback to school pre-k resources, free downloads, and Montessori printables. | routine vs schedule, #montessori | |

Pin me!

Within this general routine are many smaller routines.

For example, during the three-hour work period, each child must choose a work, work at it for as long as he wants, then put it away where it belongs. If a child needs to use the bathroom, she needs to let the teacher know first, and wash her hands afterwards. She knows how to wash her hands, because there is a routine: turn on the water, rinse, get soap, scrub, rinse, turn off the water, dry hands with the towel, put the towel away.

In a Montessori environment, there is a routine for everything.

There is a routine for entering in the morning, for choosing work, setting up the snack table, working outside, washing the paint brushes, setting up for lunch, and cleaning up after lunch.

You name it, there’s a routine for it.

Set times, not so much.

There is no set time for snack. No set time for math. No set time for art. No set time for moving the whole class from one 30 minute time slot to the next.

Even the lessons follow a routine instead of a schedule.

Montessori guides do not follow a daily curriculum. They follow the order of presentations.

For example, a Montessori guide does not plan out each day the way a traditional teacher does. She does not decide that today everyone will learn addition. Instead, she observes each child to see when he is ready for the next lesson in math, the next lesson in language, the next sensorial lesson, and so on.

The order is the same for every child, (e.g. addition always comes before subtraction, and the pink tower always comes before the brown stair) but each child moves through the order at his own pace.

This requires attention on the part of the guide. She has to stay on her toes to make sure each child is getting the right lesson when he is ready for it, not too soon, and not too late. But, in the long run, it brings much more peace to the classroom.

_

The Benefits of a Routine Over a Schedule

Why should we go with a routine instead of a schedule? How can we make sure everything gets done if it’s not time-blocked?

  1. A routine balances order with flexibility. Order is essential for the young child, who is learning her place in the world. External order leads to internal order. Without it, the child has no frame of reference as he build his mental organs. Many behavioral difficulties can be eased with external order. But, all children are different. 30 minutes of math might be too much for one child and not enough for another. It might be just right one day, and impossible the next. By following routines instead of a rigid schedule, we are better able to follow the child, to see what each individual needs, and to give it to her.
  2. A routine allows time for concentration. Concentration is golden. A child who can concentrate can use his will to pay attention to something worthwhile. This is an irreplaceable power. (Think: success at school, success at a job, prayer, etc.) But, by moving children along according to a fixed schedule, we often interrupt their concentration. Suzie was finally concentrating! That is so much more important than what time we eat lunch. In a Montessori routine, there is a 3-hour work period. During this period, a child can work on one thing the whole time if he likes. Or, he can move from one activity to another. It all depends on his concentration abilities and his interests.
  3. A routine gives room for the unexpected, or for mistakes. The most difficult thing about a schedule is the fact that we are constantly running behind. A child has an accident, or the teacher thinks a certain project will take less time than it does, and the rest of the day is spent trying to catch up. With a routine, there is more time for these hiccups. If a child has an accident at snack time, there is no hurry, and nothing is missed in the time spent cleaning up. If a science project takes 15 minutes instead of 10, the language lessons won’t be rushed. After a difficult day, we just pick up where we left off.
  4. A routine helps build discipline. While a routine does leave room for error, it still helps both children and adults to grow in self discipline. A routine only works if we follow it as best we can. But with clear guidelines, it’s doable. For example: always put the work away as soon as you are done with it; be ready to greet each child as she enters the classroom. For a child especially, knowing what to do is a huge step toward self-discipline.

But what about those things that really need to happen?

If something really must happen at a certain time, that’s fine. A handful of set times can be helpful in giving structure to a routine. Montessori schools all have set start times and end times, and families are encouraged to arrive promptly. It’s good for children to learn to respect others by being on time.

The key is to choose these set times well, and give enough time in between them for concentration and flexibility.

So what do I do if lunch happens at a set time, and Suzie is still focused on her work?

Don’t interrupt her unless it’s absolutely necessary. Start lunch, and she’ll probably notice what everyone else is doing, finish up her work, and join you.

_

How to Create Routines

  1. Minimize. Choose a few set times, e.g. drop-off time, lunch time, etc. and then eliminate all other time blocks from your schedule. Let go of the need to control what happens when each day.
  2. Create the overall structure using those set times, and make sure to leave several open hours for work.
  3. Plan a general routine for the day. Give this a little thought. It’s best not to change routines too often. You can include your kids or students in planning. Make a list of the days events, and the order in which they usually happen. For example, after breakfast, we clear the table, load the dishwasher, and wash our hands.
  4. Start living the general routine. You can make a chart, a routine book, or use routine cards if thats easier for you, but it’s not necessary. If you do the same basic things in the same order each day, your children and students can pick it up. Consistency is key.
  5. Address each smaller event as it comes up by creating a routine. These smaller routines might include: how to wash your hands, how to put your work away, how to set the table, how to put your shoes on before going outside, how to bring in the mail, how to feed the dog, how to water the plants, etc. Many of these you can create in advance, but it can be hard to think of them all at once, and there will always be surprises that come up.
  6. Remember that each day will be a little different. Maybe one day your kids will spend most of the morning inside reading books, and the next day they will want to sweep the patio, play the subtraction game, paint a picture, and help you make lunch. That’s awesome.
  7. If you’re teaching, follow the order of presentations. Don’t schedule the lessons into the day, but be diligent in knowing who needs what. Watch and wait for the right moment to give a lesson, and never interrupt a child who is concentrating.

👉🏻👉🏻👉🏻 Print your own set of beautiful routine cards here.  Routine cards can help young kids to understand and follow each routine. The kids can help you choose which cards to use, and older children can illustrate extra cards to keep your routine personalized.

Got questions? Let me know in the comments. Or just share your best routine-setting tips!

~ Jean Marie

start your new routing today and print your own set of beautiful hand illustrated routine cards here

you may also like...

  • A Montessori Prepared Environment at Home: the Quick GuideA Montessori Prepared Environment at Home: the Quick Guide
  • Teaching Grace and Courtesy: The Ultimate Guide (With Free Printable of Essential Lessons)Teaching Grace and Courtesy: The Ultimate Guide (With Free Printable of Essential Lessons)
  • Montessori vs. Unschooling: Similarities and One Key DifferenceMontessori vs. Unschooling: Similarities and One Key Difference
  • Jordan Peterson vs. Maria Montessori on Child DisciplineJordan Peterson vs. Maria Montessori on Child Discipline

Filed Under: Montessori Homeschooling, Montessori Philosophy, Montessori Tips

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Caroline H. says

    August 12, 2018 at 1:47 pm

    Jean,
    this was incredibly helpful. I have been home schooling on and off for a few years with an increasing number of kiddos (we have six now, with two in school, 3 home schoolers). Without having read Montessori (I know, I know! I am catching up now!), I made the observation that my kids need order and structure in order to be calmer and more focused, even when very young (like 2 years old). I also LOVE my schedule (home school or otherwise – I am German), but little by little, out of sheer frustration, I kind of slid into what Montessori describes as “routines”. So, had I done my home work years ago and read Montessori, I could have skipped some of that frustration part and just started with routines instead of schedules, INTENTIONALLY. It’s not too late, of course!
    So thank you very much for this!

    Reply
    • jeanmarie says

      August 13, 2018 at 10:55 pm

      I’m glad this was helpful! I love routines in a classroom, but since I am not a mother yet I wasn’t sure how well they work in a home. So it is good to hear from you!

      Reply
  2. Cathy Collins says

    August 12, 2018 at 9:45 pm

    Jean, this is brilliant. Thank you for sharing. How does it work in a classroom, or with a passel of Suzie’s (the average large, homschool family)?

    Reply
    • jeanmarie says

      August 13, 2018 at 11:07 pm

      Thanks, Auntie! I saw routines work really well in the school where I did my practice teaching in San Diego. The kids (for the most part) knew what to do throughout the day. For example, there wasn’t a set snack time as in most schools. Instead, snack was set out on the table, and the kids helped themselves when they were each ready. Only two were allowed to eat at a time (so it didn’t turn into a party) and as there were only two chairs at the snack table this was easy to enforce. There were signs that said how much each child was allowed to serve himself, e.g. 4 crackers and 3 orange slices. Some kids needed reminders to go eat, and the teacher kept an eye on whose plates were in the dirty bin to make sure everyone got snack. That’s just one example of a routine that was flexible to meet everyones needs but still provided structure. The idea is that it will work in the same way in a home; e.g. make a snack drawer in the fridge, and everyone can take one or two things in the morning, for example.

      Reply
  3. Cathy Collins says

    August 12, 2018 at 9:47 pm

    Please add me to your email list.Thanks! Auntie Cathy

    Reply
    • jeanmarie says

      August 13, 2018 at 11:09 pm

      I added you to my newsletter. You’ll get a confirmation email. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Adrienne says

    April 11, 2020 at 1:00 am

    I’m already subscribed to your email, but every time I click on the routine book, it prompts me to subscribe…. how do I access your resource library? Thank you!

    Reply
    • jeanmarie says

      April 13, 2020 at 7:19 pm

      Hi Adrienne! Here is a link to the resource library. The password should be in your email, if not, let me know and I will send it over!
      For the future, you can navigate to the resource library from my homepage menu at the top. Under “resources” click “free resource library.”
      ~ Jean Marie

      Reply
  5. Jacqueline says

    August 29, 2021 at 4:57 am

    Hi. Very important information.Thanks

    Reply
    • jeanmarie says

      September 8, 2021 at 12:23 am

      Thanks for reading and commenting, Jacqueline! ~ Jean Marie

      Reply
      • Mia says

        March 27, 2022 at 11:48 pm

        Hi Jean Marie!

        What is your suggestion for a child in the family who has always been a very early riser? Our firstborn son turned 6 a couple months ago, and he’s always woken up between 4:15-5:30am everyday – No matter what time he goes to bed. Because of this, bedtime in our house is unusually earlier than most. All of the kids (except baby) are generally on the same schedule now because of our oldest. Our 3 year old boy and 1 year old girl will always sleep later than our oldest, but our 3 year old now isn’t far off from that wake up time. My husband works evenings, so he has always had the mornings with the kids. He’s the one who wakes up with them, but also not the one who spends the majority of the time at home and homeschooling them.
        Anyway, even typing this out really helped my brain to process this, so no matter what I thank you for the opportunity to write it out, and for your Montessori Wisdom! I worked in the most incredible, renowned Montessori school
        For 4 years before having children of my own, and so although it’s personally been so much harder for me to Montessori at home than in the classroom, I still strive for it and believe in the approach wholeheartedly. I know our home environment needs to be set up more appropriately for their success, and I think just reminding myself of this fact may really help with the early rising.
        Thank you for letting me ramble, and of course I am open to any suggestions! Thanks again <3

        Reply
        • jeanmarie says

          March 30, 2022 at 1:15 am

          Hi Mia!

          Glad to hear that typing that out helped! I don’t have personal experience with your specific concern, but I can share what a family that I nannied for did. They were a really gentle family, and in general didn’t have strict boundaries about a lot of things, but one “rule” they did have for their 4-year-old son was that he wasn’t aloud to get out of bed until 7am. He had a clock in his room so he could see when it was 7 and plenty of books and stuffed animals to keep him company if he woke up early. He was super cheerful about this arrangement and followed the rule really well. And again, they weren’t a rigid family in any way. If you want to try something like this in your family, you could start with a wake up time that’s not more than a half hour past when your son usually wakes up, so that its not too hard for him to wait. And since he’s older, you could allow him a little more freedom in what he’s allowed to do until the rest of the household is up, for example maybe he can get out of bed quietly to play with toys in his room.

          A principle my Montessori trainer liked to remind us of is that the child is part of the family, but not the center of the family. The routine has to work for everyone, so although there will always be sacrifices on the part of the parents when taking care of the family, it’s great to strive for something manageable.

          Hope this helps, and all the best to you! ~ Jean

          Reply
  6. Tricia Howerzyl says

    December 15, 2021 at 6:44 am

    I’ve read at least three Montessori preschool books (including homeschool ones) and countless blogs… this just summarized everything so beautifully in a way that had not made sense before! Thank you!

    Reply
    • jeanmarie says

      March 30, 2022 at 1:00 am

      Hi Tricia, thank you for the good feedback! Glad things made sense and I’m sorry it took me forever to reply to you. All the best, Jean

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Interested in Montessori? Get your free call at jeankermode.com

connect for more Montessori:

  • Pinterest

Categories

  • Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
  • Montessori Homeschooling
  • Montessori Materials and Recommendations
  • Montessori Philosophy
  • Montessori Tips
  • services

Copyright

You are more than welcome to share from this site. All images and text on this site are property of Jean Kermode. When sharing, you may use one or two photos provided that a link back to my original post is included. Do not remove any watermarks, crop, or edit any of my images without first obtaining written permission from me. All free printables offered are for personal use only. Pinning is always appreciated! Thank you!

Policies and Disclosures

This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Read my full privacy policy and disclosures →

Read my terms and conditions →

Footer

For details about the information you give us through comments forms, etc., please see here.

Copyright© 2023 · Brunch Pro Theme by Feast Design Co.