Creating a winter routine feels cosy and inspiring. And I love routines because they help me stay organised!

It exhausts me when I have to spend half an hour scrolling through Pinterest for lunch ideas before we head to grocery shopping. After I find outfits for both of us and after I pack my bag with a healthy snack and other essentials. It’s much easier to prep all those things earlier.

2019 has given me a lot of upsides and downs. I hated everything around like never before, but ultimately, I’ve learned so much too. I’ve learned to let go and to accept, I’ve learned how to forgive and when not to give second chances. I’ve learned how to reset my life! Now, about that winter routine…

Winter routine for kids

Personally, I don’t like changing his routine too much. Especially when it suits his lifestyle. But since we’ve set monthly resolutions for him (find out our 12 activities for 12 months here), we’ll have to bring that tiny difference into his life. Nothing too much, just to create that special teaching hour and a way to relax.

• 6-6.30 wake up, use the toilet

We like to encourage him using the toilet and washing his hands alone immediately after he wakes up, so there’ll be no space for a meltdown when I have to force him to do so later.

• 6.30 breakfast and learning time

I believe this would be the perfect time for the first learning activity for that day since his concentration is high early in the morning. He also likes to read while having breakfast, so that’s when we’ll do English/general knowledge lessons, depending on the day.

• 7 reading and cuddling

He would probably want to read a book of his choice after and when we finish lessons.

• 7.30 get ready for the day

This means getting dressed and brushing teeth.

• 8 independent play at home/outing/music hour

The time of his choice, if we don’t NEED to go outside. He usually plays musical instruments at this time, plays with his toys, draws, reads… After a quick kitchen clean, I play with him too. If we’re out for grocery shopping, library visit, walk or at the playground, we’ll get home by 10 to prepare for naptime.

• 10 snack

When we go on an outing, I offer him a snack around 9.30 to eat it while enjoying the fresh air and before we get home for a nap.

• 10.30 toilet usage, then naptime + reading before he falls asleep

His turn to choose books once again. But, since we have a hard time putting him to sleep (he could read and play for hours, no matter the tiredness), I’ve recently put a limit to 10 minutes tickle + 10 minutes cuddle + 3 books.

• 13-14 wake-up

Usually between 2 and 3 pm.

• 14 family lunch time/outing and lunch outside

There’s no every day must at this time. If dad gets home for lunch, we eat it together and then go on an outing later. Otherwise, we’d go outside to have lunch at the park and walk back home with dad together.

• 15 independent play/outing/learning/music

One of his most productive times lately. We either play together as a family or go for a walk if we haven’t earlier, we play music together, or we do a recap of what we’ve learned and done earlier that day. Sometimes I squeeze in a bit of learning if he wants it too.

• 17 family time: independent play + snack

All same. We either continue with what we were already doing or come home to spend family time and enjoy our second snack together.

• 19 bath

Getting quiet and relaxed, bedtime preparation.

• 19.30 family dinner

We enjoy this time and we spend it talking and sharing love to each others. Our son sometimes brings his art supplies drawer to the table and makes masterpieces. Which is totally fine to us.

• 20 bedtime (reading)

My husband and I agreed on this routine: 3 nights he puts him to bed, 3 nights I, 1 nights we do it together.

Weekly plan and learning hours.

While the wake up routine, meal routine and a bedtime routine stay the same most of days (except for weekends when we all try to sleep in a bit longer), we’ll do different things on different days of the week.

On Mondays, we’ll go to a library and do the learning activity for that month (here’s the post, once again) during the learning hours.

We’ll reserve Tuesdays and Wednesdays for English classes. I’ll try to bring in some fun activities, like word hunt where he’ll have to find the hidden card with the word I said in English.

Thursdays we’ll do the months’ learning activity again. But, not only learning with the Larousse Montessori inspired workbook . We’ll do more experiments on Thursdays.

On Fridays, hopefully, there’ll be time for “what we’ve learned this week” test.

Weekends we reserve for either relaxing or going on adventure outside the city. Anyhow, there’s always time for music and books, since that’s what the little one’s used to.

Magical winter routine & fun learning activities

Keep in mind, I don’t just teach my kid the facts. I make it fun and I always make sure he doesn’t get bored with learning. There’s no need to ever say to your child “oh, but you must” or similar,if he obeys to listen to your lesson.

Maybe give up and wait until he/she’s ready or try a different approach. Some kids of this age may find it hard to concentrate if there’s no motivation. Offer a treat (cut the fruits and make an animal out of them, for example) or a trip to somewhere nice after you finish those daily tasks.

Your teaching tone should sound interesting and funny and you must always plan some funny learning activities. The only reason you should not start teaching general knowledge and practical life skills to your kids while they’re young is if you don’t have nerves. Otherwise, YOU CAN DO THIS! 😉