Take a moment and think about a Schedule for your Nanny and kids. You may think it’s a relatively mature thing to consider. That’s true – your calendar dictates when you work, when you schedule appointments, and when you enable some downtime. However, you are not alone in needing a schedule.

Even babies and younger children can benefit from having some dedicated time blocked during the day. Children thrive when they know what to expect. If you have a nanny at home, they can keep your little one on a daily schedule. Keep reading for different ways to create a schedule that works for everyone.

1. Block Meals

If you’ve ever been around a fussy baby or a cranky toddler, you know how critical meals can include:. It could be banana pancakes for breakfast or a quick snack of Goldfish crackers. Missing an opportunity for munchies is just not an option. If your nanny lets it slide more than once, you’ve got an unhappy kid on your hands.

You can get around the hangries by using your online calendar. First block the time for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Then consider setting reminders for snacks. With those afternoon alerts, your nanny can check on the spot if your child needs a snack or two. Then, without grumbling, your child is ready for everything else that the day brings.

2. Get started with learning

You’ve probably heard it before; little brains are like sponges. They suck up almost everything around them. That means that just about anything a child does during the day can be a learning moment. Still can free up time spent on something educational stimulate your child’s natural curiosity.

When it comes to learning, there are many methods available. Reading, playing music, and working with colors are all great options. Schedule some time for your sitter to use flashcards to introduce ABCs, numbers, and even colors. Nursery songs expose your child to rhythm and melody. At the same time, suggest to your nanny to talk about crayons and remind the child to stay within the lines (although staying within the lines isn’t the taboo problem it used to be!). Wow!

3. Work on some practice

Even small children and babies need some training time. OK, so they don’t focus on cardio or shaping their biceps. However, they do need physical activity. It’s how they build muscle and develop coordination for walking, running and all other activities. So make sure to set aside some time during the day to increase your strength.

If you have a baby, block out some tummy time. It will help with neck strength and encourage them to learn to roll over. It is also an essential part of learning to crawl and eventually walk. As they grow, their energy grows with them. Toddlers need more play and exercise time.

Add some morning and afternoon time to the schedule so that your nanny can help your child get the squiggles out. Offer suggestions that you know your child will enjoy. Perhaps recommend a morning walk in nature. Then suggest an afternoon in the park to run and kick some balls. Staying active keeps your child healthy and also gives your nanny the chance to exercise.

4. Dive into another world

If you’ve ever spent time reading to your child, you know how magical it can be. There is something special about telling a story when your little one is sitting on your lap. So it should come as no surprise that your child will enjoy it curl up during the day with a good book, at. So remember to include story time in their day.

There are many benefits to reading to a child. As you read, they can create a whole new world in their head. Their imaginations can run wild as they develop characters and scenes in their heads.

If your child is with your babysitter during the stories, he will also come into contact with words more. When your babysitter reads, your child hears and sees the words both. Stick to this part of the schedule and your child may learn to read sooner than expected.

5. Relax

Drawing on your child’s schedule during this time is vital for both your little one and your nanny. A busy day of fun is still a busy day. Everyone will get a little tired. So take a few breaks into account. It is a valuable opportunity to recharge the internal batteries.

While some parts of your child’s schedule can be a little flexible, you can ask your nanny to stick to the napping schedule. Set a calendar reminder to help. Even the most alert child can go from happy and smiling to an epic breakdown when they need some rest. You can avoid those tantrums and the extra energy required by watching the clock.

These quiet moments are also a relief for your nanny. Taking care of a child is a lot of fun. But it can also be exhausting. When you block your child’s sleep time, you are giving your nanny a daily gift. During that rest time, they can take a cat nap on their own. Maybe they choose to read a book or catch up on some phone calls. Anyway, it’s their mental health moment for today.

6. Be creative

If you’ve ever seen a little kid with blocks or a Lego® set, you can tell they’re great little makers. They don’t follow the same logic as adults, so they can come up with fantastic things. Expressing themselves in different ways helps them develop problem-solving skills. It can also support their mental growth and development.

The excellent news for your nanny is that scheduled creative time is similar to play time. When the calendar reminder pings, they can announce it as a party. It’s “Imagination Time!” Suggest they spend time building a fortress or baking a cake.

Encourage your child’s inner artist with some sidewalk chalk. Invest in puzzles or make homemade play dough. Or inspire their inner cat. Give them a box – but explain that it is not a box. Their job is to find out what it is!

7. Clean Up Plan

At the end of the day there will be clutter. Maybe it’s your living room, kitchen or nursery. Whatever it is, you need to let your sitter know when you want the cleanup to begin. Setting a time for the retrieval process to begin will help your child transition into the evening. It too helps your nanny to relax spiritually.

However, cleaning up doesn’t have to be a chore or boredom. It can also easily be a creative experience. For example, they (the nanny and kids) come up with a tidying song that they can sing to make putting away their toys more fun. You could even make a game out of it. They get the point for each toy or art supply they put away correctly the first time. Then, when they have enough points, they get a crazy sticker.

Be sure to celebrate your child’s good work when the cleaning is over. Praise from your nanny – and you on any subject is beneficial to your child and help them take pride in a job well done. It also encourages them to do the job right next time.

Caring for and spending time with a child throughout the day can be a fun, exciting experience. It does help if you have a plan. If your sitter has a schedule that they can carry in their pocket, it will be easier to keep track of time. With an online calendar at your fingertips, everything runs smoothly throughout the day, leaving more room for a smile.

Featured Image Credits: Photo by Cottonbro; Pexels; Thank you!

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