Tricks of the Trade: Routines and Rituals

Routines and rituals… that is where the magic happens!

Routine.  Ritual.  Often the words are used interchangeably, but they have slightly different nuances.  Routines are every day.  More commonplace.  Things we do at the same time in the same way.  Rituals are special and meaningful, memory builders, if you will.  They have purpose and are carried out with intentionality.  Your child needs and thrives on both.  Here’s why.

Routines give your child predictability, and with predictability comes a great sense of security for your child.  Routines are the defining structure of a day or a week and provide a certain organization that prevents chaos.  They are comforting and reassuring, helping your child know what to expect. Do you set up routines for your school-age children, maybe a morning routine that helps them prepare for their school day? What about your toddler at nighttime? What helps them prepare for bedtime? If you don’t have a routine, try it! The same thing every night can help your toddler understand what comes next — without tears!

Rituals define us.  They help us bond and connect.  Rituals are enjoyable and repeated shared experiences – a certain way you celebrate life’s happy occasions or that special way you put your child to bed each night — not the brushing of teeth or changing a diaper, but more the reading of the book or singing a song. Something that provides connection. They contribute indelibly and inextricably to a happy childhood, making for a lifetime of the best of memories.

How Music Can Create Rituals

Music can be a big part of your day, and something that helps with rituals and connection. We are BIG on connection at Melody Magic!

• Attending a weekly Kindermusik class becomes a favorite routine, something you and your child both look forward to.  You have a familiar and predictable structure to each week’s class (with a little new coming in with new themes, songs, and activities), and the same wonderful Kindermusik educators year after year.

• Try playing soft, calming music while you rock at bedtime. Cuddle. Snuggle. Do this every night, and it creates a bonding ritual.

• Using the home materials you get from your Kindermusik class can help with adding music to your day. Try a different activity every day. This directed way of incorporating music can be a ritual that your child looks forward to on a daily basis!

Routines and Rituals. A trick of the trade to help your day become magical!