Winter Gear on & Out the Door
Winter is upon us and that means getting the kids (and ourselves) all bundled up before we leave the house. As if getting to school on time was easy when the weather was nice! Here are some tips to make your bundling routine smoother and your exit quicker.
Make The Routine VISUAL with Chart
As kids often get distracted while doing a multiple step task, making the winter gear routine into a visual chart will help keep kids on track.
Now, without the visual, your kiddo is learning that you will remind him “What do you need now?” or “Please get your hat” about five times before you will get frustrated. So subconsciously he has learned that he dawdle until about reminder number five.
Set a TIMER
Again, this will help keep your kiddos on track and avoid distraction. Making the winter gear routine into a race that everyone can win by beating the timer, is a great way to motivate efficiency.
I highly recommend the visual time timer. It can be ordered from Amazon.
Positively REINFORCE the completion of the winter gear routine.
Write or put a picture of the reinforcer that will be earned for completing the winter gear routine before the timer goes off all by himself with kind words. The reinforcer must be given immediately after the winter gear routine is complete and you’re walking out the door. Some suggestions are:
- Getting to choose the music to listen to in the car
- A new book on tape to listen to in the car
- A quick edible treat
Make Visuals and WIN the Morning
By making a VISUAL to remind kiddos what steps they need to do, using a timer to increase efficiency, and positive reinforcement to motivate completion, your kids may be ready to walk out the door before you are!