Authors
- Camila Villegas Bernal
The Importance of Routines in Children’s Well-Being
Family routines are a key component of children’s emotional health. More than a list of tasks, obligations, or activities, routines represent stability, a sense of belonging, and structure. Routines foster self-regulation, help reduce stress, and strengthen emotional bonds. When children know what to expect in their day-to-day lives, they feel calmer and more in control, which supports their emotional health and cognitive development. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (2018), “Children do best when routines are regular, predictable, and consistent.”
Essential Components for Healthy Routines
In order to protect children’s mental health, routines should include three essential components: consistency, predictability, and firmness. Consistency involves creating environments in which routines are maintained by upholding rules and habits. Predictability refers to the child’s ability to anticipate what will happen throughout the day, which provides a sense of security and helps reduce anxiety. Finally, firmness in the application of consequences means following through on what has been established. This helps children understand expectations and limits, fostering the development of self-control and responsibility. At the family level, routines that are maintained consistently and carry emotional meaning strengthen identity, a sense of belonging, and socio-emotional adjustment (Fiese et al., 2002).
Simple Activities to Strengthen Emotional Intelligence
Children’s emotional intelligence can be promoted through simple activities integrated into daily routines. These activities strengthen empathy, self-control, and help children express their emotions more easily. It is important to establish clear schedules, goals, and expectations. Incorporating simple routines such as morning meditation, reading before bedtime, spending screen-free family time, or conducting an emotional “check-in” during the day helps develop and strengthen emotional intelligence. The integration of these routines, together with active parental involvement, allows children to feel secure. It also helps them assume responsibilities, understand limits, and recognize, regulate, and communicate their emotions in a healthy way.
Building Safe and Protective Spaces: Rituals and Family Identity Through Emotional and Affective Connection
The integration of well-established routines, supported by essential structural components and the emotional involvement of parents, creates an environment in which children feel safe and protected. The value of these routines goes beyond “tasks” or expected outcomes. Their central purpose is to build family spaces grounded in emotional and affective connection. When a supportive environment is developed, these practices allow children to feel understood, valued, and heard. Empathetic communication, family time, and the strengthening of emotional intelligence reinforce emotional connection and a sense of belonging, consolidating family identity. Family environments that combine these structures help prevent anxiety and low self-esteem in children, while instead fostering confidence and promoting better mental health.
Conclusion
Routines not only organize time and accomplish tasks; they also strengthen emotional health. By incorporating consistency, predictability, firmness, and moments of connection, parents provide their children with a space where they can feel safe and valued. In every space, task, or routine, the foundation for long-term well-being and the development of emotional intelligence is established.
References
- American Academy of Pediatrics. (2018, April 19). The importance of family routines. HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/Spanish/family-life/family-dynamics/Paginas/the-importance-of-family-routines.aspx
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (s.f.). Los pilares de la estructura. CDC. Recuperado el 19 de noviembre de 2025, de https://www.cdc.gov/parents/spanish/essentials/structure/buildingblocks.html
- Fiese, B. H., Tomcho, T. J., Douglas, M., Josephs, K., Poltrock, S., & Baker, T. (2002). A review of 50 years of research on naturally occurring family routines and rituals: Cause for celebration? Journal of Family Psychology, 16(4), 381–390. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.16.4.381
- Selman, S. B., McLean, L. A., Channon, S., & Perkins, D. R. (2024). Routines and child development: A systematic review. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 16(2), 234–256. https://doi.org/10.1111/jftr.12549
