Daily Schedule Ideas for 21Month Old That Include Activities, Snack, Etc...

I think creating a visual schedule is a GREAT idea for her! I agree that it will help her to know what happens next- very empowering! Also, it will teach her a lot of early reading skills and expose her to new ways of problem solving.

It's easy to use the computer, with colored paper, and just laminate everything. Then put velcro on the back of the activity cards (nap, snack, walk, playdate, etc.)- get the kind that is rolled up and has a sticky back. You just cut it to fit. Then she can help you make and change the schedule! So fun for her!

So here is a sample schedule:

-wake up
-breakfast
-walk
-building time (legos, blocks, etc.)
-snack
-dance time (music playing, wiggles video, etc.)
-nap/lunch (whichever usually comes first)
-lunch/nap
-big activity of the day- playdate, mall walk, park, museum trip, zoo, etc.
-snack
-free play
-"help" mom cook dinner
-dinner
-bath
-books
-bed

i left out times, of course. And this may be more than you want to include on a schedule! You may want to just put "play" at 2-3 times a day, and she gets to pick. And while we always do our big activities later in the day (my son gets sooo cranky by 4!), your little girl might do better if she goes out in the morning.

Hope this is a little helpful?

Absolutely agree with you that she needs a daily schedule. Not that it has to be military style, but there should be an expectable layout. Not only does this meet her psychological need for security and predictability, but it will prepare her for school which is very layed out.

I don't have much time and I'm sure other moms will write in about more specifics, but one thing I wanted to make sure I did share was about this Baby Can Read system I recently got my 16 month old daughter. It is AMAZING how quickly she picked up on it and how much she enjoys it and feels good about herself. I really can't rave enough about it and my husband can't stop showing her off as we interact with others. This is now her key educational component everyday (amongst other things of course). Website is www.yourbabycan.com and I promise you, you will love it!

Feel free to write back if you have any questions or anything, as much as I kind of understood how it'd work from watching the informercial and reading it, I didn't really understand until I had it. And even then, it was a bit obscure to figure out exactly what I was supposed to be doing (could also be my pregnancy hormones as I'm expecting number 2). But it's now been 3 weeeks and I fully see the results and understand how this works, etc. and highly reccomend it. Best wishes, N.

This is a post that I wrote for someone else, but my little organizing plan worked well when I was a SAHM. Today is a snow day so I think I'll get out my magnets again for my 2 2-year-olds and my 4 1/2 YO.
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My twins were born when my son was 2 1/2 and I nursed them both for over a year. I can make it sound rosey if I want, but I remember how hard it was and the guilt I felt for my little man. I went from being his sole playmate to a distant nagger. I cried (and could start right now) when I thought about all the time that I lost with him and how much fun we could have had if I was not trying to be a mommy all over again.

I did the best I could and this is what I came up with: I became very good friends with my little digital timer. I pre-planned our day and posted the events on the refrigerator - little pictures with magnets on the back - tape would work well too. We had breakfast, lunch, dinner, table time (play-doh, coloring, crafts, beads, board games, etc), 2 that said TV, "alone time" which was for both of us, story time (there were 3 of these), a picture of a car if we had to go somewhere, outside, and a bunch more. I set up the day in a way that he could "read" and predict what was going to happen and I set the timer for 10 or 15 minutes when I planned an activity to do with him - I played for a short amount of time to get him involved and then when the timer rang I had to go and he could continue if he wanted. Sometimes I had to rearrange the pictures and he learned that the plans can change. Basically I set it up like pre-school and fit in time with him when the babies were sleeping. The "chores" one was also helpful and we worked together (for only 10 minutes on the timer) to get toys picked up, the floor swept, laundry folded or some other managable task.

Your daughter wants to be with you. You'll find a way and you'll find your way back to feeling normal. Don't feel guilty or make yourself the martyr - feel proud that you can do this on your own. And then go check out www.flylady.net - you'll find your way back to being the confident mommy you were. Happy Holidays!
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Have a great time!

There is a great book called "seven times the sun" that focuses on rhythms and routines for small children. It includes songs etc. I suggest looking in to it. I have found it verry helpful.

My son is also 21 months & I have him on a good schedule. He usually gets up around 7, so I give him his milk (he still has a bottle not a battle I want to fight now) Then he plays for a little while. I usually feed him breakfast around 8am. After breakfast I give him water (he doesn't like juice) & his vitamins. I either let him play or we have programs such as Mommy & Me. Around 10-10:30 I give him more water & a snack (cheerios,fruit or social tea cookies). He eats lunch usually around 11:30 consisting of fruit & yogurt. At 12 I give him another milk bottle & around 12:15 I put him down for a nap. He usually takes an hour nap so when he gets up I cuddle him for a bit & he's off playing till 3:30 when he gets some more milk & a couple of cookies. He eats dinner at 5-5:30, with more water & after dinner a light snack. Bath at 7:30, book, bottle, bed. He's in bed by 8 every night. He has alot of snacks because he is VERY active & has pretty much NO fat & is like a little muscle bound toddler!! So he is ALWAYS hungry! Good luck. Let me know if you need more info. My son loves his schedule, he always knows what will happen when & I think it gives him some comfort.