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Let’s talk about one of the most valuable things you can do for your little one—establishing a daily routine. Believe me, it’s a game-changer!
A daily routine not only brings a sense of security and predictability but also helps your child feel safe and at ease in their surroundings.
When it comes to 1-year-old kiddos, a daily schedule becomes even more crucial. They’re starting to explore the world, asserting their independence, and figuring out how things work.
That’s why I’m here to share some tips and a sample schedule for creating a fantastic daily routine for your one-year-old.
Understanding Your Child’s Needs
Creating a daily schedule for your 1 year old child should start with understanding their individual needs. Every child is different, and what works for one child may not work for another. Factors such as hours of sleep, nap times, and meal times should be considered when creating a schedule for your child.
For example, most 1 year old children need between 12-14 hours of sleep per day, with 1-2 nap times during the day. It’s important to consider your child’s natural sleep patterns when deciding on nap times and bedtime. Additionally, meal times should also be considered, making sure to include enough time for your child to eat and digest their food properly.
It’s important to be flexible and adjust the schedule as needed based on your child’s development. For example, as your child grows and becomes more active, they may need longer awake times and shorter nap times. Similarly, as they become more independent, they may need more time for independent play. By understanding your child’s individual needs and being willing to adjust the schedule as needed, you can create a routine that works well for your family.
Sample Schedule for 1 Year Olds
Here is a sample schedule for a typical day for a 1 year old child:
- 6:00 AM – Wake up and have a small snack (such as a piece of fruit or a cracker)
- 6:30 AM – Playtime with parents or older siblings
- 8:00 AM – Breakfast (such as oatmeal or scrambled eggs)
- 9:00 AM – Independent playtime (with age-appropriate toys)
- 10:30 AM – First nap – if needing 2 naps a day still
- 12:00 PM – Lunch (such as pureed vegetables or mashed potatoes)
- 1:00 PM – Playtime with parents or older siblings
- 2:30 PM – Second nap (usually lasting for about 1-1.5 hours)
- 4:00 PM – Snack time (such as a small yogurt or cheese)
- 5:00 PM – Playtime with parents or older siblings
- 6:00 PM – Dinner
- 7:00 PM – Bath time
- 7:30 PM – Storytime or a lullaby
- 8:00 PM – Bedtime
It’s important to note that this schedule is just a starting point and should be adjusted based on your child’s needs! The schedule should be consistent and predictable, with regular times for meals, naps, and other activities. This helps to create a sense of security and predictability for your child, which in turn can lead to better sleep and overall well-being.
It’s also important to note that this schedule may be adjusted for working parents who may have different schedule or for daycare schedule. Also, it’s important to make note of the fact that this schedule may have to be adjusted as your child grows and their needs change.
For example, as your child becomes more active and independent, they may need more time for independent play and less time for naps. It’s important to be flexible and adjust the schedule as needed to ensure that it works well for your child and your family.
Tips for Creating a Daily Routine
When creating a daily routine for a 1 year old child, there are a few important things to keep in mind:
- Provide a sense of security: Consistency and predictability are key when it comes to creating a routine for a 1 year old child. Having regular times for meals, naps, and other activities can help to create a sense of security and predictability for your child, which in turn can lead to better sleep and overall well-being.
- Encourage independent playtime: As your child becomes more active and independent, it’s important to provide them with opportunities for independent play. This can include providing age-appropriate toys and setting aside time each day for free play. This helps to promote their development and independence.
- Provide a variety of healthy foods: It’s important to provide a variety of healthy foods for your child, including a mix of fruits, vegetables, proteins, and whole grains. Introducing a wide range of foods will help them to learn and develop their taste buds.
- Consider the schedule of other family members: When creating a schedule for your child, it’s important to consider the schedules of other family members, such as a parent’s work schedule. This can help to ensure that the schedule works well for everyone in the family.
- Manage sleep regression: Sleep regression is a normal part of a child’s development and can be a challenging time for parents. It’s important to be patient and consistent during this time, and to stick to your child’s regular sleep routine as much as possible.
- Manage power struggles: As your child becomes more independent, power struggles can become more common. It’s important to set clear boundaries and to be consistent in enforcing them.
It is also good idea to provide specific chore cards or routine cards to help your child understand and follow the schedule. And also it is important to limit the screen time.
Managing Nap Time for a Home Mom
As a home mom, one of the biggest challenges can be managing nap time for your 1 year old child. During the first year of life, nap times can change frequently and can be difficult to predict. However, it is important to establish a consistent nap schedule to ensure that your child is getting the appropriate amount of sleep.
In general, it is recommended that a 1 year old child have a morning nap and an afternoon nap, with a total of about 2-3 hours of daytime naps per day. The timing of these naps will vary depending on the child, but a good rule of thumb is to schedule the morning nap around 9-10am and the afternoon nap around 1-2pm.
It is also important to establish a bedtime routine that includes a consistent meal time and quiet time before bed. This will help your child understand when it is time to wind down and prepare for sleep.
It is important to be flexible and adjust the schedule as needed based on your child’s development and individual needs. For example, if your child is not sleeping well during the day, it may be best to push the afternoon nap to an earlier time, or to switch to a one nap schedule.
When it comes to meal times, it’s good to be consistent and predictable, for example, try to feed the baby at the same time each day, it will help them to understand when to expect food. Introduce solid foods at regular times and make sure to offer healthy snacks, it will help to maintain their weight and growth!
It’s also important to consider other schedules that may affect your own, for example, if you have an older brother or sister, or if you have errands to run, such as going to the grocery store. It’s a good idea to plan these activities around nap time so that your child can have the best chance of getting the sleep they need – which can get pretty darn tricky sometimes.
It’s also important to keep in mind that every child is different, some baby schedules may be different from others, and some may sleep more or less than others, especially premature babies or those born near their due date.
It’s also important to remember that as your child grows and reaches the age of 12-18 months, their nap schedule and sleep needs will change. It’s a good idea to be prepared for this and to be open to making changes to their schedule as needed.
Bottom Line
Creating a daily schedule for a 1 year old child is an important step in providing a sense of security and structure for your little one.
As a parent, it is essential to understand your child’s individual needs and adjust the schedule accordingly. The sample schedule and tips provided in this blog post can serve as a starting point for creating a daily routine that works for your family. However, it’s important to remember that every child is different, and it may take some trial and error to find the best schedule for your child.
Additional resources such chore cards like these can also be helpful in implementing and maintaining the schedule. With a little bit of patience and flexibility, you can help your 1 year old thrive in a predictable, consistent routine.
Print This Positive Parenting Guidebook – The 5 Pillars Of Positive Parenting
Listen… parenting with connection and positivity has been seen as permissive and lazy parenting BUT this is totally not the case.
I am a mom of 3 beautiful children and I’ve spent HOURS, DAYS, MONTHS, and YEARS researching this topic and seriously, it is my favorite way to parent.
Way better than what I grew up with – which was A LOT of yelling, spanking and frankly, neglect.
This little guidebook is a golden nugget that you can have for free – and print it out! Put it on the fridge, refer to it often. It’s really a great tool for kids of all ages.
Download Your Free Printout
- Download the guidebook. You’ll get the printable, plus join hundreds parents who receive my weekly parenting tips and ideas! (Sometimes I’ll promote a parenting program, but only the best ones that are in the positive parenting community, I promise.)
- Print. Print out the guidebook!
- Place it where you can see it. There is a lot of great information in this guidebook, even though it’s small. It’s power packed full of great stuff so put it where you can refer to it often.
