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July 15, 2025

How to manage temper tantrums: Strategies for preschool parents

Dealing with your child screaming or throwing things around the house? Or maybe it’s an overturned bowl of noodles and a refusal to eat? Either way, take heart from this fact: you’re not alone.

Temper tantrums are a natural phenomenon for preschoolers. Whether at home or out in public, most children will have one of these meltdowns sooner or later.

And before you start beating yourself up over it, remember: tantrums are actually signs that your little one is just starting to learn self-control. So don’t take them as indicators that you’re doing things wrong!

That being said, there are some strategies for managing tantrums that can make situations easier to handle for both you and your little one.

What are temper tantrums?

Before we start talking about how to manage a child during a tantrum, we should address this first.

A temper tantrum is just a behavioural outburst expressing a negative emotion. Most children express tantrums through screaming, kicking, or crying. Some just lie on the floor and refuse to respond to conversation.

The most common time for tantrums is when a child is one to four years of age. During this time, your child is learning to become more independent, but still has limited communication skills

Tantrums can be of varying durations. Most last a few minutes, while some stretch for as long as 15 to 20 minutes.

Anything violent that goes past that duration could be cause to see a doctor. This is just to ensure that your child is not facing any unusual sensory or communication challenges.

Why do tantrums happen?

There are several reasons tantrums happen in little ones. Let’s break them down into separate sections for clarity:

1. Developmental causes 

At the age when tantrums happen, the pre-frontal cortex is still developing. Because this part of our brains is responsible for both impulse control and emotional regulation, it can’t kick in the way it would for an adult.

The result is that every big emotion can overwhelm these little people in our care at first. Eruptions are normal, as such, until a child turns six or so.

2. Communication challenges 

The key to understanding tantrums is to remember that they’re often due to an unfulfilled need or want. They’re generally tied to some kind of dissatisfaction.

Children can feel that dissatisfaction in full. Unfortunately, they usually lack a similarly developed ability to express that feeling in words. 

As a result, your child can easily resort to a tantrum in an effort to communicate that. When words fail, your child can turn to screams or actions. 

3. External triggers 

Because dissatisfaction or discontent of some kind can lead to a tantrum, it only makes sense that certain things can trigger it. 

A missed nap is a great example. Because children feel tired when they miss a regular nap, they may express that in a tantrum instead of verbally stating that they’re tired.

The same is true for issues like delayed meals, overstimulation, or denied access to their favourite toys or activities. Overwhelmed by negative stimuli or sensations, children may respond by having meltdowns to indicate their discontent. 

4. Emotional needs 

This ties back to communication challenges. Sometimes, children may feel like they’re not getting enough attention or not being acknowledged. 

But, being children, they may not know how to say that. As a result, a child can easily decide that shouting is a quicker way to get results than a polite request. 

Outbursts like this are generally ones relating to your child’s communication skills. Most children don’t set out to be wilfully difficult – they’re only trying to make themselves heard.

How to manage tantrums 

So, what can you do when your child gets the inevitable tantrums? Here are some techniques for tantrum management that we’ve proven time and again at My Little Campus:

1. Stay calm and ensure safety

You can set the tone for your child to eventually follow. And that means calming things down instead of escalating. 

Try taking a few deep breaths before you respond to the tantrum. This may help you centre yourself. After that, assess the situation to ensure no safety hazards are near your child.

If your child is prone to physical tantrums where he or she throws items, for example, you want to move fragile or dangerous objects like glasses or ceramic plates far from reach. 

2. Speak softly and validate your child’s feelings 

Show empathy and understanding. Remember that a lot of tantrums are just about children trying to express themselves in non-verbal ways. Acknowledging their feelings tells them you’ve received the message and there are actual words for what they feel.

State what they’re feeling as simply as possible. Say something like, “You’re angry because you can’t find your favourite toy.” Or, if you’re not sure of the cause yet, “I see you’re upset.”

Use the simplest language you can and without making sentences too long. Children already having a tantrum can’t deal with too much information at once. 

Speaking softly and maintaining a neutral facial expression can help too. It provides less stimulus that could be used to unintentionally reinforce the tantrum behaviour.

3. Don’t try to actually teach or reason mid-tantrum

It can be tempting to try and turn the tantrum into a lesson. Don’t do it! Children having a tantrum are unlikely to process any logical reasoning during it, so you’ll just get frustrated.

Instead, be as calm and patient as possible until your child calms down enough to end the tantrum. Only after the episode is over can you think of reasoning with your child.

4. Offer simple choices when your child is ready

Once your child has calmed down enough to process ideas, offer your help in regaining control. For example, give him or her a choice between two things.

For instance, you could ask your child if he or she wants a snack or a drink at this point. It’s a great way to support the idea that your child has agency over something.

Long-term strategies for tantrum reduction

Another way to better deal with tantrums is to outright avoid them. That is, you can do certain things to try and reduce the number of tantrums your child has. These are some options:

• Stick to predictable routines
  Children tend to thrive when they know what’s supposed to happen next. Predictable routines create a sense of safety, helping toddlers feel more in control of their day, in turn reducing the frequency and intensity of tantrums.

  At My Little Campus, for instance, we’ve found that using consistent schedules for meals and naps help children settle into the flow of the day more smoothly. When expectations are clear, children are less likely to feel overwhelmed or resist transitions – two common triggers for toddler temper tantrums.

• Give your child positive attention regularly
  Since many children have tantrums when feeling neglected, you can prevent that from happening by paying attention to your child at set times each day.
  
• Name and model emotions
  This lets your child learn what he or she is feeling, what it’s called, and how to express it. We do this in various ways at My Little Campus, including through role-play and storytelling!
  
• Find patterns
  Some tantrums may be triggered by the same thing each time. Keeping an eye open for patterns of stimulus-effect can help you identify those and avoid them.

Helping children and parents navigate big emotions

Tantrums can be difficult and tiring to manage. But they’re absolutely normal, as well as possible to deal with if you have enough consistency and patience. 

Of course, more violent or self-harming tantrums could need special help. The same is true for more prolonged or more regular ones, which may require consultation with a specialist.

But other than those, most parents can deal with tantrums themselves, though not necessarily alone. If your child goes to a childcare or preschool where the educators know how to deal with tantrums, for instance, you can get extensive support. 

If you’re interested in that, reach out to us. My Little Campus’s trained teachers pay attention to each child’s needs and regularly communicate with parents over management strategies for challenges. Talk to us today to learn more or arrange a school tour.

June 3, 2025

Parent-tested ways to reduce your child’s screen time

Digital screens are inescapable now. Though some parents may lament it, smartphones and tablets are just part of daily life for everyone now – including little ones. 

Besides, it’s not all bad. Screens can now be tools for both entertainment and learning. That being said, excessive use of them can still have negative effects on your child’s development.

The trick is to ensure balanced usage. If you’re struggling specifically with that, this guide can help. 

Our expert educators have put together a list of the tips that have yielded the best results for both them and parents. Try these to reduce screen time to healthy levels in your child.

Understand current screen habits

Before you make any change to your child’s screen time, take stock of the current situation. How much screen time does your child have each day now? What triggers it?

For example, is your child most likely to indulge in screen time during meal times? When you’re busy doing chores? Or when bored?

Your goal is to try and identify patterns in your child’s screen usage. This can help you find and address the root causes of screen indulgence.

Set clear and consistent limits

Once you’ve identified how much screen time your child is getting, you can set a limit for how much he or she should actually get. 

You can base this on your own preferences, but you can also use expert guidelines. For example, the Ministry of Health (MOH) has screen use guidelines you can try. 

To simplify the guidelines in that advisory, you can follow these notes:

• For children under 18 months old – No screen use unless it’s for interactive video chatting. The MOH does not even advise turning on the TV in the background.
• For children 18 months to 6 years old – Use less than 1 hour of screen use per day outside of school. Do not use screens to distract your child or as background noise. Do not use screens during meals or 1 hour before bedtime.

These screen time limits can be paired with other rules. For example, you can require the content they consume to be educational or age-appropriate. Or you can make screen time a social activity they perform with you.

Remember to be consistent in applying the rules too. Children are more likely to resist a rule when they see it being broken repeatedly without consequence. 

Offer engaging screen time alternatives

One of the main reasons children resist screen time limits is that they use screens to amuse themselves. Without them, their minds lack stimulation unless given opportunity.

So, give them opportunities! Offer your child engaging screen time alternatives, from the chance to play a board game with you to a trip outdoors. 

It doesn’t always need to be something involving you either. You can set up a highly accessible arts nook stuffed with materials, for instance, that your child can use anytime. Or you can stock books about things your child finds interesting. 

All of these can serve as learning opportunities too. At My Little Campus, we believe in using screen time purposefully to support learning, not replace it. Educational screen content is thoughtfully incorporated alongside hands-on activities like sensory play and structured group learning.

By balancing digital and real-world experiences, we help children stay curious and engaged while developing a healthy relationship with technology from a young age.

Model less screen time

Modelling behaviour is always one of the best ways to teach it to children. Your child will imitate you if you look like you’re always glued to your screen – so unglue yourself.

Dedicate more time to off-screen activities, especially ones with or around your child. Think about reading, baking together, going on nature walks, and more. 

This will show your child that fun and connection are possible with digital screens… and the two of you will likely grow closer in the process if you do a lot of activities together.

Create predictable routines

When your child’s routine is highly predictable, he or she is less likely to go looking for a screen as filler. That’s why it may help to structure your child’s day in a way that ensures it’s full of off-screen activities and options.

Don’t forget to account for rest times too, though. Little ones need it to grow!

Use technology with a purpose

As mentioned earlier, you should consider limiting screen time to high-quality and age-appropriate material. This makes screen time purposeful and invests it with value.

This turns technology into a helpful tool instead of a medium for filler activities. You can make screens work for your child’s development – as long as they’re used in moderation. 

A good idea here is to look for videos or apps that focus on your child’s interests. You can even look for ones that will boost their knowledge of topics from school.

Let us help you give your child a richer early education experience

The first time you try the screen-reduction tips above, you’ll very likely struggle. Your child may push back and rules will be broken.

But that’s normal, so don’t worry too much. Reducing screen time doesn’t just happen overnight. 

The key is to start small and stay consistent – until you eventually build lasting habits that will support your child’s development.

My Little Campus can help you here. Our balanced curriculum combines purposeful screen time, hands-on experiences and structured play to support well-rounded learning.

If you want your child to grow up in a preschool where he or she can be nurtured in a way that sustains lifelong growth, consider our approach. Enquire about our programmes today!

May 14, 2025

6 tips to develop your child’s independence

At the ages of 3 to 6 years old, children are growing enough to try doing certain tasks independently. If you’ve seen this in your own child, it’s probably led to some of your proudest moments as a parent. 

These little moments may be small milestones, but they’re vital ones. When your child learns to put on his/her shoes for the first time – or when he/she starts tidying up toys himself/herself – those are your child’s first steps towards independence!

This essential skill can equip your child with confidence, problem-solving abilities, and resilience. These are abilities that can gear up any child to take on challenges in the future.

If you want to encourage independence in your little one, the ideas below may help.

1. Set predictable routines

Establishing consistent routines is a good way to promote child independence. Through routine, children have a clear notion of what to expect and what’s expected. 

It can be as simple as teaching your child to prepare his/her toothbrush for brushing in the morning. Or even showing him/her how to put on a shirt or socks without assistance.

Daily exposure to such routines gets children accustomed to them, and at some point, they’ll figure out how to execute them without your intervention. 

Make sure you praise your child for his/her efforts too. We always reinforce successes like these for the children in our care at My Little Campus and it works wonders!

2. Give age-appropriate responsibilities 

Children love mimicking adults. So why not encourage them to mimic adult responsibilities? 

For example, start giving small household tasks to your little ones. Give them chances to do chores that are safe for them to handle, like packing their own bags the day before school.

Chores like these are great activities for building independence. They encourage self-reliance while also developing practical skills and giving children a sense of achievement and responsibility.

At My Little Campus, for example, we encourage our children to clear their dishes after meals. It’s a simple yet effective way to nurture their independence and explain responsibility.

3. Allow children to make mistakes

This is so important! Most parents have an urge to step in and correct matters when a child does something wrong or struggles with the execution of a task.

But that may actually work against you because allowing children to make mistakes can teach them valuable lessons about perseverance and problem-solving. 

Among other things, it’s about giving a child the chance to overcome a setback himself/herself. This was referenced too by the team that produced the On The Red Dot episodes about children running errands on their own. It can be hard, but also rewarding.

This also means that parents should avoid being overly critical. It’s all right to point out that a mistake has been made, but try your best not to make children feel that mistakes aren’t acceptable and will result in criticism or a scolding.

Encourage your child to overcome mistakes by forgetting about perfection – focus on the value of effort and the notion of learning through experimentation. 

This is a great way to teach a child to persevere after each stumble. Instead of framing them as major mistakes, every error just becomes a chance for him/her to learn. That’s the foundation for lasting resilience.

4. Encourage decision-making

Letting your child make decisions is a big part of helping him/her build independence. At the same time, you don’t want to overwhelm your child with too many choices. 

Our advice here is to limit the choices to ones that you think appropriate while still offering enough variation to make sure your child feels a sense of agency. 

Don’t ask your child to pick out his/her whole outfit for the next day, for example. Instead, pick out two outfits and offer your child the choice between both!

You can even try guiding the decision-making if your child seems stuck. Gently ask what your child is leaning towards, what’s blocking his/her decision, and so on.

5. Nurture emotional independence

Emotional independence gives your child the ability to regulate his/her emotions as needed. This can prevent difficult responses like tantrums later on.

A good option here is to help your child understand feelings better. Try naming emotions in specific situations or encouraging your child to talk about feelings early on. 

You can also show your child calming strategies like deep breathing when upset. It’s a great way to teach children how to cope with setbacks on independently and increase emotional awareness of not only his/her own feelings, but others’ as well.

6. Offer activities that build independence

Some activities offer multiple opportunities for nurturing independence – and are also great chances for bonding or entertainment! 

Consider options like solo play or role-playing scenarios. Through them, children can explore challenges at their own pace while building confidence in their own choices. 

We actually do these at My Little Campus, from storytelling to supervised free play. Through these, we provide little ones options for strengthening independence while still engaging in meaningful exploration.

Allow us to nurture your child’s independence

Independence is a foundational life skill that you can foster in your child through key activities and routes. 

If you want further support with this, feel free to reach out to us. At our preschools, our nurturing teachers support children with building self-confidence and independence in tackling daily tasks.

In addition, we offer structured yet flexible environments where children can thrive independently while receiving guidance when needed. Let us support your child’s growth with our unique approach. Enquire today!

May 2, 2025

6 ways to encourage physical development in preschoolers

Has your child just moved from toddling to running? Has he/she gone from grasping spoons to writing his/her name? 

This is a wonderful point in every child’s development, when both gross and fine motor skills go to the next level. You can even encourage this development in certain ways as a parent. 

If you want ideas for that, read on. We’ve compiled a list of activities you can try to support your child’s continued physical growth, whether through play or simple daily activities!

1. Gross motor activities

Gross motor skills are movements that involve large muscle groups. Think of skills like walking or jumping, for example. 

Skills like these are closely tied to strength and coordination. Here’s how you can build those for your child:

• 18 months to 3 years – Introduce activities like climbing and dancing to your child. For the former, stick to low structures for now to be safe. Other ideas include light obstacle courses. Toddlers love crawling through pillow tunnels or stepping over cushion barriers, for example. You can make a game of it too!
• 3 to 6 years – For older preschoolers, try running games like tag or hopscotch. You can even prepare them for bicycling with the classic tricycle! Games that involve catching and throwing balls are good for developing hand-eye coordination too.

2. Activities for fine motor development

Fine motor skills are all about small muscle movements requiring precision and control. Here are some activities to develop fine motor skills:

• 18 months to 3 years – Activities like stacking blocks, finger painting, or even turning pages in interactive books are great starts for toddlers. You can also try teaching your child to start eating on his/her own now. It also boosts independence!
• 3 to 6 years – Older children can move up to cutting paper (but use child-safe scissors) or working on crafts like sculpting with clay. These activities are designed to refine dexterity while sparking creativity.

3. Music, movement, and games

Musical activities are wonderful opportunities for combining entertainment with development. Activities like these can also boost rhythm and coordination:

• All ages – Dancing! Preschoolers of virtually any age can participate in this particular activity and often enjoy it. Try classics like Head, shoulders, knees and toes. Or try games like Simon Says! You can even incorporate storytelling into it. At My Little Campus, for example, we combine interaction with storytelling to encourage motor development while lighting a fire in children’s imaginations.
  

4. Everyday tasks

Even daily household tasks can double as opportunities for physical development. Try these particular ones, depending on how old your child is:

• 18 months to 3 years – Ask younger children to help sort toys, carry small items like fruit, or even pour water into cups. It can help improve their hand control.
• 3 to 6 years – Older children can help with some child-safe kitchen tools to prepare meals. You can ask them to set the table, for example. This builds fine motor skills while also teaching them the idea of responsibility. We do this in My Little Campus: show preschoolers how to feed themselves, set tables themselves, and so on.

5. Outdoor exploration

The outdoors can be marvellous for physical development activities for preschoolers. Parks and playgrounds offer many chances for a child to build up core skills:

• 18 months to 3 years – Invite your little one to walk on grass or sand that’s free of clutter or sharp objects. It’s a great way to challenge and train a child’s stability in a safe environment.
• 3 to 6 years – Go on nature trails! Children love to explore the outdoors, especially if they’re interested in nature or animals. You can also try to encourage your child to participate in group sports.

6. Structured sports or classes

Even for toddlers, there are already opportunities for structured sports lessons. Consider enrolling your child in age-appropriate sports classes or teaching your child yourself!

• 18 months to 3 years – Parent-child gym classes can focus on basic movement patterns. Even activities as simple as rolling or jumping offer a good start for further development. 
• 3 to 6 years – Consider introducing your child to team sports, perhaps with the help of family members. This is a great way to build up motor skills while also strengthening your child’s teamwork abilities. 

Let your child develop motor skills with our help 

The activities we’ve suggested are excellent for physical development in many ways. They support coordination and balance, motor skill development, increased flexibility, and more.

At My Little Campus, we’ve found that incorporating such activities into children’s daily schedules yields the best rewards. We do it through both responsibilities and play. 

This sustains the developmental benefits and also helps children get accustomed to being active daily instead of in occasional spurts. 

If you want to learn about how we achieve that in our comprehensive daily schedule, please reach out to us. We’ll be more than happy to outline the ways we can support your child’s development.

March 17, 2025

How to Help Your Child Transition from Preschool to Primary School

The preschool to primary school transition is a big one. Exciting, yes, but also potentially daunting for parents. You likely have a ton of questions!

Will your child adapt to a more structured environment? Follow the academic curriculum? Thrive with the increased independence and socialisation in a bigger setting?

Don’t worry – you can ensure your child is ready and prepared for it in advance. With our tips, your child can handle the transition to primary school – and possibly even find it a fun experience!

Before anything else: understand the change 

To prepare your child for the step up, you should understand it yourself. Specifically, you should know what’s changing with the K2 to P1 transition.

Primary school has differently structured days compared to preschool. The classroom setting is more formal, and lessons are more regimented. 

Time spent in formal classroom settings in primary school is also longer than in preschool, where children would have a mix of indoor and outdoor activities, as well as multiple sessions of games and free play sessions. Your child will need to sustain focus and attention for longer periods of time after the move up.

P1 also introduces unsupervised free time with recess. You should give your child an idea of what this means, as he/she will have to manage his/her meals and socialisation there.

The same goes for your child’s belongings and schoolwork. Children typically handle these themselves upon entering P1. This will eventually transition into doing their own homework independently and managing preparation for assessments later on in the year!

Tip 1: Build independence and good habits

Your child will navigate the first day of primary school and the new physical environment without you. That’s why you need to work on preparing him/her for it ahead of time. 

Encourage your child to begin doing things on his/her own, to start with. It can be as small as having your child pack his/her own school bag. Here are other ideas that you can try: 

• Have children organise their belongings at home. It’s a great way to practise tidiness while also encouraging independence.
• Teach children how to buy their own food. Bring them to stalls or shops and guide them through the steps in ordering food, paying for it, and collecting their change. This will build their confidence for their first attempts in P1! 
• Ask children to help with clean-up after meals. This is another good way to build the responsibility and independence they’ll need at recess.

Tip 2: Develop your child’s social skills

Socialisation in a bigger setting is a key change for the transition to primary school. You can help your child manage it better by building his/her social skills in advance. 

Start exposing your child to larger-but-curated social groups. Guide him/her in recognising social cues in them and how to interact with others appropriately. 

Schedule playdates with more new friends as well. It’s a good way to take the anxiety out of new meetings or acquaintances. 

The same goes for playdates in new places. You can take the fear out of new environments by exposing your child to more of them early on.

Collaborative activities are options as well. Here at My Little Campus, we provide K2 children in particular with more group activities to build teamwork and collaboration. This shows them how to work together with others towards a shared goal. It also offers various opportunities for our children to strengthen their social skills.

Don’t forget to act as a role model too. Use friendly and polite phrases with others, introduce yourself to people, and ask for others’ permission when appropriate. Showing this to your child will shape his/her own behaviour.

Tip 3: Explain the concept of rules and instructions

Rules and instructions probably aren’t new to your child by this age. At My Little Campus, for example, we introduce the concept of classroom rules in our learning environment to our preschoolers.

However, primary school will give your child more rules than ever. Remembering and following these can be a challenge in itself for some children, but it helps if your child understands what’s expected. Try explaining to him/her how the classroom setting works and what the standard instructions are.

You can also help your child by giving him/her instructions to follow at home. This helps him/her with following guidelines, whether for chores or daily routines. 

For example, you can have your child clean up the play area before going to bed. Or you can ask him/her to help you with setting the table during dinner time. All of this gets a child used to routines and rules.

Tip 4: Build literacy and numeracy

This is going to be a core part of your child’s primary education. That’s why you should build a foundation in literacy and numeracy early – it can make a big difference in your child’s academics!

Some easy ways to do this include encouraging children to read or do word puzzles. For numeracy, there are also numeric games and number-based activities. 

At My Little Campus, we use various academic activities to prepare our children for the Primary 1 curriculum. We even add bilingual literacy to the range of skills we build early on.

Tip 5: Get your child excited about P1

A large part of making the preschool to primary school transition​ successful has to do with your child’s attitude going into it. What does he/she expect?

Luckily, you can shape that. Share positive info or your own good primary school experiences with your child to encourage excitement. Here are some things to talk about:

• How you made friends with classmates
• How you enjoyed playing games with your friends at recess
• Your favourite teachers in primary school
• The fun new subjects you were introduced to
• Entertaining activities and projects you took part in

This is good emotional preparation for your little learner. Your child will start looking forward to primary school as a milestone worth experiencing!

Tip 6: Introduce the new environment in advance

This is another thing worth doing ahead of time to prevent anxiety about the change. Bring your child to the school’s open house! 

This will show your child the actual school environment and grounds. It’s a chance to introduce the different areas like the courtyard and canteen too. 

You can even prep your child for the school commute. Take him/her along for a drive to the school to simulate the drop-off and pick-up. Or you can also plot out the expected school bus route together in advance!

Tip 7: Set consistent routines

One to two months before the start of primary school, give your child a regular routine to get used to. This includes regular bedtime and wake-up times. 

Try setting up a sustainable routine of getting dressed and eating breakfast early. Don’t forget to packing your child’s school bag into the routine too. 

The idea is to help your child acclimate to the coming P1 routine well in advance. It becomes less of a shock or disruption that way. By the time the first day of primary school arrives, it will feel like second nature to him/her.

Let us help you and your child prepare for P1

The transition to primary school is an exciting time for you and your child. The right preschool teachers and curriculum can be of great help to you here. 

If you want a preschool that supports you in the transition, consider My Little Campus. We have programmes that build children’s skills not just academically but also socially.

Enquire with us to learn more about our programmes today. We may have just what your child needs to prepare for primary school effectively.

March 3, 2025

How to Create the Best Morning Routine for Preschoolers

A good preschool daily routine has many benefits for little ones. Research has even found that it’s associated with positive developmental outcomes. 

The daily routine of a student, even a very young one, provides a stable base for his/her activities. It offers a way to set the tone of the day for both you and your child.

If you want to benefit from having a good morning routine, read on. We’ve put together a list of practical tips for creating the best morning routine for local preschoolers.

1. Get started the night before

Interestingly, having an effective morning routine can be supported by preparing your child’s necessities from the night before. For example, pack your child’s school bag and lay out his/her school outfit. Among other things, this advance preparation can make things less hectic in the morning!

And of course, don’t forget to establish a calm bedtime routine as part of this. It can help your child develop good sleeping habits, which leads to waking up fresh and ready for a day of school.

2. Wake up early and at a consistent time

Start your own day early. It will help you avoid rushing and even give you some time to both decompress and organise your thoughts for the day ahead.

The exact time you have to get up depends. You can base it on the total length of your morning routine and commute. And if you want added time for yourself – say so you can enjoy a nice cup of coffee – add a half-hour to the time buffer before you have to leave. 

If you can, try to wake up at the same time during the weekends too. Doing so will condition your body clock and make waking on weekdays easier.

3. Make a morning checklist

A simple checklist is a must! Whether it’s on your phone or your refrigerator, it can help you and your child stay on track every day. 

The checklist is your method of ensuring you complete all tasks before heading out the door. It can be as simple as a list of activities to do before you leave the house. Or it could be a list of items to pack for your child’s preschool day. 

This is especially useful if you have more than 1 child. Usually, each child will be a different age and therefore in a different preschool class or level. 

That means each child will very likely have a different set of items needed for the school day. By making a list for each child, you can avoid missing out on items as you prepare them to head out the door.

Don’t forget about yourself either. Create your own list of tasks that you need to keep in mind or accomplish every morning. 

And if you have a partner or other family member helping with the morning routine, the two of you can use it to split the load and check off tasks so they don’t get done twice.

4. Prepare a simple yet nutritious breakfast

A good breakfast can energise your child for the day ahead. And if it happens to be tasty, it can put all of you in a good mood too!

The nice thing about being here in Singapore is that we have so many great breakfast foods available in the morning. Fishball noodles, whole grain congee, oats, eggs and toast… There’s no end to the yummy options. 

Or if you’re feeling up to it, you can prepare nutritious meals in advance, like yoghurt bowls, multigrain-bread sandwiches or even your own version of a Big Breakfast!

5. Add buffer time for contingencies

If there’s one thing we all know, it’s that few things go exactly to plan when a preschooler is involved. So why not prepare for that too in advance?

When plotting your daily routine, add buffer time in there for safety. It won’t always be necessary but it’s better to have it there than not. And it can be used for independent tasks too, like children dressing themselves or playing with their toys for a bit. 

It’s a great way to avoid delays for the actual stuff that’s time-sensitive. That being said, try to avoid showing your frustration if you do think a delay may happen. 

Instead, try to remind your child of what he/she has to do for the day. That focuses him/her on a goal and helps you move things along without causing feelings of anxiety.

6. Always be positive and encouraging

Continuing from the final point in our previous tip, try to be positive every morning. A good preschool daily routine isn’t one where a dark cloud hangs over people’s heads. It’s one where the mood is bright from the very beginning.

Be positive from the moment you interact with your child in the morning. This can help both you and your child get through tasks with more ease. 

A good idea here is to praise your child for everything he/she does right in the routine. It makes your feel like he/she is achieving something and being recognised for his/her efforts. It also helps most children figure out what they’re supposed to be doing on a daily basis.

And ultimately, it’s a great way to start any child’s day. Wouldn’t you love to start your own day with praise for your efforts? Giving your child that will put him/her in the right mindset for preschool.

Discover a preschool where positive daily routines are the norm

Of course, your child’s daily routine doesn’t end the moment you drop him/her off at preschool. It continues with the preschool you’ve chosen. 

That’s why a preschool with a morning routine that ties into yours can be useful. At My Little Campus, for example, we provide a positive and very warm welcome to our preschoolers every day.

We have consistent drop-off and pick-up routines to create a sense of security for children. It lets the students in our care, especially the youngest ones, settle into their school day more easily.

Our preschoolers’ schedules are also meticulously planned and followed for maximum developmental support. We help children feel comfortable with knowing what to expect daily, from hands-on learning to engaging with others in social experiences. 

If you’d like to learn more about our programmes, enquire now. We’d love to show you how our own schedules are designed to offer the stability little minds need to grow.