Here are our top tips for creating a pattern to your day that will help to keep your child stimulated and happy whilst they are at home and that will give you the structure you need to balance parenting, working from home and your personal life.

We recommend creating a pattern to your day rather than a rigid routine.

Assign different time blocks that can then be swapped around depending on the changing needs of your child. Figure out the time blocks that will work best for you,  but here are some key blocks to include:-

• Set mealtimes and a consistent approach to snacks
• Outside play – if you’re able to safely do so get out for your one walk a day, and if you have a private garden use it as much as you can!
• Physical activity
  
• Singing and reading
• Learning experiences – a time when you take the lead in your child’s learning, setting up a fun experience to enjoy together – plenty of inspo in our posts
• Independent play
• Tidy up time
• Nap times or a quieter time for the children who aren’t napping anymore 
  
• Screen time – depending on the age of your child, and your personal preferences, you might include a block for screen time. Guidance on screen time can be found here.
  

• If you do create a pattern of the day make it visual
• If you want the weekend to still feel different from the week have a different pattern for the weekend or ditch it altogether
• Give yourself and your child time to adjust, and switch up the pattern of your day as often as you need to
• Try to be clear with your children about when you’re working and when you’re available to play
• Give your child a 5 minute warning before asking them to do something
• Meal plan and keep meals simple. If your child can, ask them to help
• Keep them active, balancing mealtimes & some quiet times with something active before it.
• Rotate the toys you do have, rather than panic buying new ones!
• Focus on things that make you both smile, or try journaling with your child, listing things you’re grateful for or practicing mindfulness or yoga together.
• Facetime your wider family and some of your children’s friends and try to explain in your own and in an age appropriate way what’s going on
• Ask for help, if we can do anything to help navigate this tricky time then just let us know