How to Use Routines in Sophie’s Classroom

The brain is a pattern-seeking device. A routine is a pattern for how to conduct a certain activity. The more consistent and clearly represented these routines are, the more safely, smoothly and cooperatively your classroom will run. Young children’s brains encode information in pictures, so it is essential that all your routines be depicted visually.

Early childhood classrooms have a variety of routines from lining up to hand washing. Create visual routines for the basic steps to conduct for each of these activities and post them throughout the classroom. Generally speaking, difficult times and tasks in the classroom are an indication of places where clear routines are missing. Examine these rough spots in your day, and create a simple visual representation of the routines that are needed to restore order.

The Creating the School Family book devotes an entire chapter to creating routines, posting them visually and supporting them with related activities. The NEW Conscious Discipline Expanded and Updated book also explores routines in-depth. Music that supports daily routines includes “Skip Count” and “I Gotta Go” on Brain Boogie Boosters.