Why Morning Routines Matter

Primary Master Teacher, Field Consultant, Princeton Center for Teacher Education

“Order is one of the needs of life which, when it is satisfied, produces a real happiness.” – Maria Montessori

Now that the new year is underway, we thought it would be a good time to revisit the importance of smooth, consistent morning routines that result in quick and happy drop-offs. Arriving on time not only teaches good habits like timeliness, respect, and consistency to our children but also allows them to experience the benefits of arriving with their peers and participating in important morning rituals that set the tone for a positive and meaningful school day.

Understandably, after longer breaks – and especially if students are on a different routine than on their school days – it might take some time for them to readjust to the logistics of a school morning. We can help ease this transition for them (and for ourselves as parents!) by remembering a few simple things.

• Give your child the gift of time. We have observed that when children have the time and space that they need to complete their tasks, they are more likely to feel confident, capable, and independent. Dr. Montessori wrote, “Never do for a child that which they can do for themselves.” If your child’s teachers have shared that they can now prepare an apple using an apple slicer, consider inviting them to help you prepare their lunch for the day by slicing an apple and packing it into a container. Older students are capable of packing their lunches independently! In keeping with the Montessori mantra “freedom within limits,” you can ensure that their lunches are healthy by making a few nutritious choices available to them.

• Help your child plan ahead. Every evening, consider asking them to check the next day’s weather. They can then choose the clothes they will wear and set them out. This eliminates the all-too-common morning struggles over attire! Similarly, most lunch items can be prepared ahead of time. Have your child work with you to prepare the food items the evening before and invite them to pack the containers into their lunchboxes in the morning. Older students can also consult a calendar the evening before to remind themselves of items they need to pack for the next day (e.g., their violin for a Wednesday or their library bag for a Friday). 

• Discuss expectations at a time when your child is calm, rested, and attentive. On the weekends or in the evenings, discuss with your child what they can do independently. Think about using words like “You get to…” instead of “You have to…” This can include things like brushing their teeth, cleaning up after breakfast, and getting bundled up for the cold weather. You can also use this time to remind them of expectations related to safe drop-offs. If they struggle in the mornings, you can say, “Remember what we talked about last night? Now show me you can do it.”  

• Don’t underestimate the value of getting sufficient sleep! According to a consensus statement put forth by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, in order “to promote optimal health:”
  • Infants* 4 months to 12 months should sleep 12 to 16 hours per 24 hours (including naps)
  • Children 1 to 2 years of age should sleep 11 to 14 hours (including naps)
  • Children 3 to 5 years of age should sleep 10 to 13 hours
  • Children 6 to 12 years of age should sleep 9 to 12 hours
  • Teenagers 13 to 18 years of age should sleep 8 to 10 hours 

• Model calmness and control. While you may be getting ready for your work day alongside them, showing them that you are confident and consistent in your own routines sets a good example for your children. As adults, we are sometimes preoccupied with thoughts about our many responsibilities. As much as possible, be present with your children.

• Work backwards! If you see that your child is needing 10 more minutes to get bundled on a cold morning, start waking them up 10 minutes earlier. This means that you may want to get them in bed a little earlier the evening before, too. If your child has just learned to tie their shoes, give them enough time so that they can experience the satisfaction and joy of this new milestone without feeling rushed.

• Finally, when it comes time to drop off, enforce safety rules and let your child know that it’s important to stay buckled until your car is parked and it’s time to go inside. A quick, loving goodbye is appropriate. If your child is experiencing some separation anxiety, you can help by giving a quick hug and letting the staff member on arrival duty that morning help your child inside. Prolonging or lingering typically makes goodbyes harder for your child! Please know that they are typically settled within a few moments.

We also invite you to revisit this episode on separation from our podcast Growing Together: A Montessori Approach to Parenting for more insights! Please reach out to your child’s conference teacher for help on specific questions regarding successful morning routines.