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Creating the Ideal After-School Routine for Kindergarteners
August 7, 2024
Education
Preschool
Creating the Ideal After-School Routine for Kindergarteners
One of your primary responsibilities as a parent is to ensure your child’s well-being and development; a structured after-school routine plays a part in achieving that. A well-planned routine can provide stability, balance, and growth for kindergarten-going children.
Let’s explore how to create the ideal after-school routine for your kindergartener, covering various activities that cater to their physical, emotional, and intellectual needs.
Lunchtime
After a long morning of learning and play, your kindergartener needs a nutritious lunch to refuel their energy levels. Prepare a balanced meal of protein, carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables.
It’s essential to include foods that provide sustained energy and support their growing bodies and brains. Set aside time for a relaxed lunch, allowing your child to eat at their own pace while conversing about their day.
Homework or learning time
While kindergarten typically doesn’t involve much homework, it’s good to establish a designated time for learning activities at home. This could include reading books together, practising basic maths skills, or engaging in educational games and puzzles.
Keep these activities fun and interactive to maintain your child’s interest and enthusiasm for learning. Remember to offer plenty of praise and encouragement to boost their confidence and motivation.
Outdoor play or physical activity
Physical activity is imperative for a child’s overall health and development. Allocate time for outdoor play or structured physical activities to help your kindergartener burn off excess energy and improve their motor skills.
Whether it’s a trip to the park, a bike ride around the neighbourhood, or simply playing games in the living room, encourage your child to stay active and explore the world around them.
Creative time
Kindergarteners are naturally curious and imaginative, so nurturing their creativity through artistic expression and creative play is important. Set aside time for activities like drawing, painting, crafting, or building with blocks and Legos.
Encourage your child to explore their interests and express themselves freely through various art forms. Creative activities stimulate the imagination and enhance problem-solving skills and cognitive development.
Free play
Allow your kindergartener some unstructured playtime to unwind and entertain themselves. This might include playing with toys, pretending to be superheroes or princesses, or engaging in imaginative role-playing scenarios.
Free play encourages independence, social interaction, and the development of important life skills such as decision-making and conflict resolution. Avoid overscheduling your child’s afternoons to ensure ample time for spontaneous play and exploration.
Family time
Spending quality time together as a family is essential for bonding and creating lasting memories. Plan activities involving the whole family, such as going for a family walk or playing board games.
Use this time to connect with your child, listen to their thoughts and feelings, and strengthen your parent-child relationship. Family time fosters a sense of belonging and security, providing your kindergartener with a supportive and loving environment to thrive.
Bedtime routine
A consistent bedtime routine ensures your kindergartener gets enough restorative sleep each night. Establish a calming bedtime ritual that helps your child unwind and prepare for sleep. This could look like taking a warm bath, reading a bedtime story, or practising relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or gentle stretching.
Set a consistent bedtime and stick to it as much as possible to regulate your child’s sleep-wake cycle and promote healthy sleep habits.
Kindergartens–engaging young minds
Planning an ideal after-school routine for your kindergartener involves balancing various leisure and learning activities. Consistency and patience create a nurturing environment where your kindergartener can grow, learn, and thrive at home.
While you support your child’s development through a structured after-school routine, it’s equally important to recognise the significant role that kindergartens play in engaging young minds. These educational institutions provide a nurturing environment guided by experienced educators where children can explore, learn, and grow.
Singapore’s top kindergarten - My First Skool
If you have yet to enrol your child in kindergarten, consider My First Skool. We strive to be the best kindergarten in Singapore, providing comprehensive early childhood education and care services. Our curriculum focuses on engaging young children through play-based learning, social interaction, and hands-on experiences.
Our kindergarten programme is developed to foster creativity, critical thinking, and curiosity, giving children a strong foundation in learning and development. With experienced educators and a nurturing environment, My First Skool provides the ideal setting for your child to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Register to learn more about My First Skool kindergarten curriculum.
