This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: School holidays mean more free time and less structure. School drop-offs and pickups disappear, bedtimes may shift, and families may need to organize child care, travel or visits with extended family to fill the days.
It means everyone in the household is adjusting to changes in how each day looks. So how can parents and caregivers create routines that give children some predictability without turning the holidays into another timetable? At its core, a routine is about predictability.
Routines mean children gradually learn what to expect. They begin to understand the sequence in which things take place, the cues that signal what comes next and what is likely to happen when they follow familiar routines. In other words, the pattern of the routine helps set expectations for what the day will look like.
When children know what is likely to happen, it can make it easier for them to navigate everyday life. Consistent routines, responses and boundaries also provide them with opportunities to practice skills such as managing emotions, behavior and attention. This doesn't mean every minute needs to be planned.
Predictability and flexibility can coexist. What matters is that children have enough consistency to know what to expect while families can adapt when circumstances change. There is also no single "best" family routine.
Families have different work arrangements, cultural traditions, caregiving arrangements and children's needs. A good routine is one that is predictable enough for children and sustainable for the family. Family members' routines often change during the school holiday period, which can lead to feelings of unfamiliarity and uncertainty.
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