Lesson 2.5: Set healthy routines

Background: Healthy, daily household routines help ensure family meals, active play time, enough sleep, and limits on time spent watching TV and other screen devices or playing video games. Healthy routines support children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development and reduce risk of obesity.

Yet, among US preschool children, only one in seven live in homes with daily healthy routines. Children who do not have bedtime routines tend to go to sleep later and wake up later. They spend fewer minutes a day in active play time than other children.

Teaching Tip:  Develop a typical school or weekday routine with the entire class and then assign groups to do a weekend or vacation day routine. Educators can also share a good example of a routine, developed by another class. If any participants have completed the activity log handed out after Lesson 2.4, use the logs to help develop a healthy daily routine.

Enjoying a healthy family routine

Key Message: Healthy routines benefit both children and parents.

Objectives: By the end of the lesson, participants will be able to:

1) Explain why routines are important to help children feel secure and relax and

2) Develop daily schedules that include physical activity, sufficient sleep, regular meals and snacks.

Materials:

Poster boards or paper (1 per every 2-3 participants)

Markers

White board and dry erase pens

Food and supplies for the food demonstration (suggested Spinach Berry Salad)

Handouts: recipes

Set-up: Arrange white board to be visible to all participants

Click here to download complete lesson plan  Lesson 2.5 Set healthy routines (English version)