What Will We Do Today?

Materials: None.

STEP 1

Think of a three-step routine your family can do each day. You can start with bedtime

or when you wake up in the morning. Choose three things you want to do with your

child each time you practice this routine.

Sit down with your child and tell them you will practice a routine today. Say, “First we

will…” Then, “Next we will…” Finally, “Last we will…” Show your child what you will do

during each step. You might choose to get dressed, eat breakfast, and read a book together

in the morning.

Make a goal to practice your three steps every day for a week. Your child will start to

remember each step and will get excited with you.

Your family can make a routine with one or two steps to start. At bedtime, your routine

might be to read a book and sing a song before going to sleep.

Ask your child if they can remember the steps you do each day. Once they have learned all

the steps, you can add new ones to help your child become more independent.

Related Standards

Your child is learning that there are some routines that happen each day. Routines help

your child feel safe and connected to you! A routine might be “wake up, change clothes,

eat breakfast.” Every family has different routines during their day.

Talking about daily routines helps your child think about events in order. By using the

words “first,” “next,” and “last,” they are learning what a series is. This will make changing

tasks easier during the day and give them social–emotional skills they need for school.