When my children were little, I learned something quickly—no structure left our home feeling chaotic, but too much structure squeezed the joy right out of our days. What worked best for us was a flexible routine. It gave me space to complete household responsibilities, enjoy focused time with my children, and intentionally use the ABCJesusLovesMe Curriculum.
A daily routine creates a steady flow to the day. When children know what to expect, they feel secure—and that security opens the door for learning and calm. A flexible plan can anchor the day while still leaving space for laughter, curiosity, and real-life learning.
A flexible schedule allows you to:
Even though you will see times listed on my example schedules, these were used as a guide, not a taskmaster. Routine does not mean rigid. If an activity took longer than I expected, I adjusted. Also understand that appointments, sickness, and unexpected interruptions will happen. Extend grace to yourself. Aim for consistency, not perfection.
The two schedules below are simply examples that worked well in our home. Adjust them freely to fit your family, the child’s temperament, and the season you are in. And remember, the times are strictly a tool to help you be intentional. Don't live daily by the clock.
Then, create your own schedule using this template: Daily Schedule Template
I've started and stopped the 2 Year Curriculum a bazillion times. It wasn't until I really stopped and listened to Heidi comments that ABCJLM is not school or a list of things you have to do, but rather a guide as you're going about your day, [that things changed]. In doing only a couple of activities each week, my son is thriving now that I've taken the pressure off. - Emily on Facebook
This schedule was used when our children were all very young. The youngest kiddos participated in the academic, Bible, and some developmental learning that the older kiddos were covering in the ABCJesusLovesMe Curriculum.
6:00 a.m. - Mommy Time - Quiet time, exercise, getting ready for the day, etc.
7:00 a.m. - Wake up, make bed, and get dressed
7:30 a.m. - Breakfast
8:00 a.m. - Bible Story & Character Trait/Memory Verse/Song/Poem
8:30 a.m. - Brush Teeth, Play Time, Chores
9:15 a.m. - Numbers and/or letters
9:30 a.m. - Play time
10:00 a.m. - Color/Basic Math/Name Activity/Shape/Information/Manners/Self-care
10:15 a.m. - Play Dough, Paint, Color, or Worksheet
10:45 a.m. - Clean up
11:00 a.m. - Outdoor/Indoor play while I prepare lunch and do some cleaning, or a child may help with simple chores and lunch preparation
11:30 a.m. - Lunch
12:00 p.m. - Play time - Fine or Gross Motor Activity or Visual Perception Activity
12:45 p.m. - Games
1:00 p.m. - Reading
1:30 p.m. - Quiet Time (reading, drawing, lacing) or Nap Time
2:00 p.m. - Room Time
3:00 p.m. - Snack
3:15 p.m. - Outside/Inside Play
5:30 p.m. - Dinner
6:00 p.m. - Bath, stories - Book of the Week
7:00 p.m. - Bed
This schedule was used when we had a mixture of toddlers, preschool, and early elementary-aged children. The youngest kiddos covered the academic, Bible, and developmental learning in the ABCJesusLovesMe Curriculum.
5:00 a.m. - Mommy Time - Quiet time, exercise, getting ready for the day, etc.
6:30 a.m. - Wake up, make bed, get dressed and clean up rooms
7:00 a.m. - Breakfast
7:30 a.m. - Brush Teeth, Chores, Play Time
8:30 a.m. - Bible Time, Memory Verse, Song
9:00 a.m. - Play time
9:30 a.m. - Sit down learning individually (other children do modeling clay, play dough, puzzles, etc)
10:00 a.m. - Crafts and Activities
10:30 a.m. - Outdoor/Indoor play while I prepare lunch and do some cleaning, or a child may help with simple chores and lunch preparation
11:30 a.m. - Lunch
12:00 p.m. - Fine or Gross Motor Activity or Visual Perception Activity
12:45 p.m. - Reading
1:00 p.m. - Quiet Time (reading, drawing, lacing, Legos) or Nap Time
3:00 p.m. - Snack
3:15 p.m. - Outside/Inside Play and Help Mommy
5:30 p.m. - Dinner
6:00 p.m. - Bath, stories - Book of the Week
6:30 p.m. - Bible time with Daddy
7:00 p.m. - Bed
Watch a child confidently learn through engaging, hands-on activities in the ABCJesusLovesMe Preschool Curriculum. With a focus on both academics and biblical values, this program nurtures development in every area, all while making learning fun. Click to discover how we can support a child's educational journey!
If a timed schedule is overwhelming or too constraining, you might like a numbered routine.
When using the ABCJesusLovesMe Curriculum, I encourage you to think about these three steps:
1. Teach the Objective
2. Do an activity around that objective. The purchased Preschool Curriculum provides a weekly schedule.
3. Play, play, play.
The ultimate goal is for learning to happen so naturally that the child does not even realize it is learning. Conversations, play, reading, movement, and daily routines all become teaching moments.
Helpful Parenting to Impress Blog Posts:- How to Create a Family Schedule
- How to Create a Family Command Center and Visual Schedules
- Moving from a Failed Schedule to a Successful Routine
- Contributions (Chores) and a Visual Schedule
- How to Create a Child's Schedule
- Scheduling Success: How to Create a Schedule that Matches your Prioritizes
- Routines and Schedules for Families
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