Consistency & Routine
Written by Regan Becker & Cynthia Dahl
“He (the child) lives in a sort of everlasting present. He does not hurry as we do towards the end of the action, because for him the end of the action is the action itself." -- Dr. Maria Montessori
Lighthouse Montessori has two options for arrival times. One is between 7:30-8:30 am, and the other is between 8:15-8:30 am. (If you are uncertain of your drop-off window, it can be found on Transparent Classroom via the 2022-23 Contract.) Once your child is dropped off, they have the freedom to explore the outdoors. This playtime is essential for socialization, gross motor development, and setting the tone for the day regarding the children’s emotional self-regulation. Arriving on time for morning arrival instills a sense of consistency that children rely upon to develop trust in the learning environments outside their homes. When children arrive on time, their classmates are able to welcome and engage with them.
Many parents struggle with the 3-6-year-old’s attachment and separation issues. Arriving on time helps with this transition — the fellow children often serve as a happy distraction from goodbyes. When children arrive after 8:30 am, they miss the consistency that the classroom routine instills: children cleaning up the play area, transitioning to inside shoes, entering the classroom for morning circle (which may include a read-aloud book or community-building activity), enjoying snack time, and beginning the 90-minute morning work cycle with Montessori lessons and materials. The children know what to expect at school even after just a few days.
Arriving late to school may increase a sense of anxiety for the child, especially as they arrive alone in a quiet backyard without the presence of their peers — who are already inside learning together. A child arriving late often transitions with high emotions, which may further delay them entering the classroom calmly. The importance of consistency and routine in arriving on time at school is not simply a courtesy toward teachers and the child’s fellow classmates. A consistent morning routine provides a sense of security and belonging, peace within the family dynamic, improved concentration during the work cycle, increased self-esteem, more confidence with problem-solving, and growth of social skills. Please avoid using rewards and punishments when guiding a child with routine.
If you notice that your child needs extra time in the morning, consider preparing the home environment in a way that sets your child up for success. Establishing consistency in the home looks different from order within the Montessori classroom. Many families have routines for children going to sleep that can last up to 90 minutes from start to finish. Plan your morning routine by giving your child ample time to feel successful and peaceful.
An established at-home morning routine empowers children to become responsible and independent in the care of their bodies: feeding themselves, dressing themselves, carrying their lunch bag, etc. When children have tasks to help care for the home environment, children understand that they play an important role within the family – just as they do within our classroom community at Lighthouse Montessori!
"One of the first essentials for any adult who wishes to help small children is to learn to respect the different rhythm of their lives instead of trying to speed it up, in the vain hope of making it synchronize with ours." -- Dr. Maria Montessori
