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Child Development & Early Education vocabulary · Nursery Practice and Routines

Routine

Meaning in child development & early education, with examples

/ruːˈtiːn/nounCore term

In child development & early education, routine means: The regular order of events in a child's day, such as arrival, snack, play, meals, nap and home time, which helps children feel secure and know what comes next.

In Turkish: günlük akış, rutin, günlük düzen

How it is used

Used for the whole day (daily routine) and for each part of it (sleep routine, mealtime routine, care routines like nappy changing). Staff follow, keep to and change routines, and often show them with a visual timetable.

Example sentences

  1. We keep the routine the same every day so new children know what to expect.

  2. Please tell us about her sleep routine at home so we can follow it here.

Common collocations

  • daily routine
  • care routines
  • follow a routine
  • visual timetable
  • change in routine
  • transitionA change from one situation to another: either a big move such as starting nursery or school, or a small change during the day such as tidying up before lunch.
  • circle timeA short group session when children sit together, usually in a circle, to talk, sing, share news or play games led by an adult.
  • settle inTo become comfortable and relaxed in a new place, such as a nursery or a new room, and get used to its people and routines.
  • nappyA piece of soft cloth or a disposable pad worn by a baby or young child to catch urine and faeces before they can use a toilet.

More terms: Nursery Practice and Routines

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