Rise and shine, HEIMA family! ☀️ We all know how chaotic mornings can be, especially with kids in the mix. But fear not! With the HEIMA app, mornings can transform from a whirlwind of chaos to a harmonious start to the day. Here’s a friendly, fun, and educational guide to mastering your kid’s morning routine 🎶 with a little help from my friends 🎶 (read: the HEIMA app), divided up by age groups.
A quick intro for those who are new here: The HEIMA App is a chore tracker and list maker for families and households. HEIMA turns household chores into a game by giving out points for each finished chore, keeping a task log and encouraging friendly competition with a family scoreboard. Keep all of your family-related tasks, chores and lists in one place with HEIMA, including your Morning Routine Checklist for Kids!
Setting up a Morning Routine Checklist for Kids in the HEIMA app
As usual, the first step is to create the list. 🎶 This is how we do it 🎶
I like to use our visual chore chart with categories to build a routine lists - As it is perfect for a daily or weekly routine and refreshes at the beginning of each week (which you can set for yourself in settings (hello blended families 👋).
Open the HEIMA app on your smartphone
Click the green circle with the "+" in the right bottom corner
Click "Create new category". Name your category and add a description if you like.
Click "+ Add new task". Add a task name, how many points it rewards, how often it should be completed daily, weekly or monthly and who is responsible for this task.
Repeat for all the tasks you want to add to the list.
When your list is ready, press "x" in the upper, left corner and go back to the home screen.
Use the "categories" filter to see only your list.
You can use either the "today" or "week" view.
As you finish a task, click the circle representing it and it starts filling in the repetitions with the color of the family member who finished it.
See your weekly goal bar get filled in as you collect more points.
That's it folks! Now you have a Morning Routine Checklist for Kids in your HEIMA app.
And now on to the content of your Morning Routine Checklist for Kids. In general these are the same steps, regardless of the age of the child, but we have added some fun facts, trivia and ideas to spice each list up a little bit. Enjoy!
Toddlers (Ages 2-4)
1. Wake Up Call 📣 Set a gentle alarm to wake your toddler with soothing sounds or their favorite nursery rhymes. A soft start to the day helps ease them into their morning routine.
Pro Tip: Try using a gentle light alarm if sound alarms are too jarring for your little one.
2. Morning Stretch and Hydrate 🚰 Encourage your toddler to do some simple stretches and drink a small cup of water.
Fun Fact: Stretching can help improve flexibility and coordination in toddlers.
3. Brush Those Teeth 🦷 Use a timer to make sure they brush for the full two minutes. Let them choose a fun toothbrush with their favorite character.
Parent Tip: Brush along with them to model good habits and make it a bonding moment.
4. Healthy Breakfast Time 🍎 Plan a simple, nutritious breakfast the night before. Get your toddler involved by letting them pick between two healthy options.
Healthy Tip: Include colorful fruits to make breakfast visually appealing.
5. Get Dressed and Ready to Go 👗👟 Lay out two outfits for your toddler to choose from the night before. Use your smart phone to show them the weather and let them decide.
Funny Tidbit: Let them choose a fun accessory like a hat or a small bracelet to add a personal touch.
6. Pack Up and Double Check 🎒 If your toddler goes to daycare, pack a small bag with essentials and a favorite toy. Use the HEIMA app to create a simple checklist for what goes in the daycare bag.
Bonus Tip: Add a comforting item like a favorite blanket or stuffed animal.
7. A Moment of Mindfulness 🧘♀️ Introduce a brief mindfulness activity, like a simple breathing exercise.
Mindfulness Fact: Early mindfulness practice can help toddlers learn to manage emotions.
Young Children (Ages 5-7)
1. Wake Up Call 📣 Set a fun alarm with music or sounds your child loves. Start the day with a mini dance party in bed!
Pro Tip: Rotate alarm sounds to keep mornings exciting.
2. Morning Stretch and Hydrate 🚰 Encourage your child to stretch and hydrate first thing.
Did you know? Stretching helps improve mood and focus in young children.
3. Brush Those Teeth 🦷 Create a fun brushing timer with HEIMA to make sure they brush for the full two minutes.
Fun Fact: Use a sand timer or an app timer with playful graphics to make brushing fun.
4. Healthy Breakfast Time 🍎 Plan breakfast together the night before. Use the HEIMA app to display a menu of healthy options for them to choose from.
Parent Hack: Turn breakfast into a game! See who can make the silliest face with their fruit.
5. Get Dressed and Ready to Go 👗👟 Choosing outfits the night before can save precious minutes in the morning. The HEIMA app can store lists with outfit options, making it easy for kids to pick their clothes.
Funny Tidbit: Let them dress you for a day. You might end up in mismatched socks, but the laughter will be worth it!
6. Pack Up and Double Check 🎒 Packing school bags and double-checking everything before heading out can prevent last-minute scrambles. Use the HEIMA app to create a packing list.
Bonus Tip: Add a special item of the day to the list—something that brings them joy, like a small toy or a note from you.
7. A Moment of Mindfulness 🧘♀️ Teach your child the importance of starting the day with a calm mind. Use the HEIMA app to schedule a brief mindfulness or meditation session.
Mindfulness Fact: Studies show that children who practice mindfulness have better focus and emotional regulation.
Older Children (Ages 8-12)
1. Wake Up Call 📣 Set an energizing alarm with their favorite songs. Encourage them to start the day with a stretch or a few jumping jacks.
Pro Tip: Let them pick their alarm tone to give them a sense of control.
2. Morning Stretch and Hydrate 🚰 Remind your older child to do some stretches and drink a glass of water first thing. Use the HEIMA app for a quick reminder.
Did you know? Staying hydrated helps with concentration and learning.
3. Brush Those Teeth 🦷 Set a two-minute timer on your smartphone for brushing teeth. Encourage them to use an electric toothbrush if they find it fun.
Fun Fact: Challenge them to beat the timer by brushing all their teeth before it runs out!
4. Healthy Breakfast Time 🍎 Involve your older child in planning breakfast. Use the HEIMA app to create a menu of balanced options and let them pick what they want to eat.
Parent Hack: Introduce a new fruit or breakfast item each week to keep things interesting.
5. Get Dressed and Ready to Go 👗👟 Encourage your older child to lay out their clothes the night before.
Funny Tidbit: Have a themed outfit day, like “Crazy Sock Day” or “Hat Day” to make mornings more fun.
6. Pack Up and Double Check 🎒 Use the HEIMA app to create a detailed packing list for school. Encourage them to double-check their list each morning to ensure nothing is forgotten.
Bonus Tip: Include a motivational note or a joke in their lunchbox to brighten their day.
7. A Moment of Mindfulness 🧘♀️ Encourage your older child to start the day with a short mindfulness or meditation session.
Mindfulness Fact: Regular mindfulness practice can help older children manage stress and improve academic performance.
Wrapping Up
With the HEIMA app, turning morning mayhem into morning magic is as easy as a few taps on your phone. It helps establish a routine that’s not only efficient but also fun and engaging for your kids. Remember, consistency is key, and a little bit of humor goes a long way in keeping things light-hearted and enjoyable.
Try HEIMA Today!
Download the HEIMA app if you haven’t already and start transforming your mornings. Here’s to smoother, happier, and more organized mornings for you and your family!
Happy Mornings from the HEIMA Team! 🌟