What is it about?

This study explores how child routines during the preschool period (ages 3 to 5) relate to socioemotional adjustment at age 5. The researchers identified patterns of child routines—such as stable-high, increasing, decreasing, and stable-low—and examined their associations with attentional, externalizing, internalizing problems, and social skills. Findings revealed that consistent and high routines across early childhood are linked to better socioemotional outcomes, highlighting the importance of routine stability during critical developmental periods.

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Why is it important?

The study is significant because it highlights the developmental benefits of maintaining consistent child routines during early childhood, a critical period for socioemotional growth. Identifying distinct patterns of routine stability and change underscores the protective role of routines against behavioral problems such as attentional difficulties and emotional challenges. This research also contributes to the understanding of how structured parent-child practices can promote resilience, even in the context of socioeconomic challenges, and offers valuable insights for designing family-focused interventions.

Perspectives

As someone deeply involved in this research, I found it incredibly rewarding to observe how small, everyday practices—such as bedtime routines and shared mealtimes—can profoundly impact children's emotional well-being. This study reinforced my belief in the power of child routines to create stability and foster healthy development, even amidst life’s challenges. It also opened new avenues for exploring how these routines can be strengthened through targeted interventions, particularly for families navigating socioeconomic stressors. I look forward to expanding this work to further illuminate routines' role in supporting children’s resilience and success.

Dr. Saliha B. Selman
University of Wisconsin Madison

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Child routines across preschool and associations with socioemotional adjustment., Journal of Family Psychology, January 2025, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/fam0001299.
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