Kiddipedia
When I was on maternity leave, I was desperate to keep things at least a little bit organised at home and in my head.
I tried different methods but the only thing that worked for me was a planning hack I learned in the Navy called the ‘daily orders’.
In the Navy, they use a system called ‘daily orders’ to keep everything running smoothly. Published daily, it tells everyone on the ship what needs to be done and when. It’s all about creating a routine, communicating it, and sticking to it.
Surely if the system can keep a Naval vessel in tip-top condition, it could work at my place and help keep me afloat?
So, I sat down and made a list of all the tasks that needed to be done on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis, and then I developed a family wall planner to communicate it to everyone.
It sounds super simple but this has completely changed our lives.
Before long, family and friends wanted one too and now you’ll find our planners in 45,000 plus households around the world.
But what surprised me most was the benefits of using this system beyond keeping the house and myself organised, there were benefits for my little kids too.
Using a reward system helps toddlers and preschoolers understand the expectations of behaviour, follow instructions and develop good habits.
By providing a visual guide and tangible rewards, kids feel a sense of achievement as they complete tasks and activities. Whether it’s to keep track of chores or what they need to do before they leave for childcare or kindergarten, even little kids feel a sense of accomplishment when they can see a process to be followed and what they have accomplished.
Toddlers as young as two years old love giving themselves big ticks (or scribbles!) next to their tasks using the Daily Orders planners.
They take pride in their achievements and learn that by completing their daily tasks, they get a reward at the end of the week. They also understand they are part of a bigger picture and feel proud to contribute to the family.
Not to mention, it teaches them the value of completing a task from start to finish. And as they move through different stages in life, they can take this valuable lesson with them.
This can be especially beneficial for kids who thrive on routine and structure. We know this to be true for our NDIS participants who use our products to support their needs, keep track of their schedules and feel empowered by the process (which is why we’re NDIS registered).
This simple system has had a profound effect on our family life and I’m sure it can do the same for yours. But how do you put in place a system like this that works? Here’s a quick guide:
Start small and be consistent
Try using a daily or weekly planner with simple tasks that your child can easily understand and complete. And make sure you praise them when they do! Over time, you can add in more tasks as they become more confident.
Be clear about the expectations–and stick to your guns
Explain to your child what they need to do and what they will get for doing it. Whatever works for your family. Just make sure you are consistent with the expectations-otherwise they will know you’re not serious and it will all unravel.
Make it fun!
You want your child to enjoy the process, not see it as a chore. So make it fun! This is meant to be a positive experience for everyone so keep it light. It’s why we use bright colours on our planners. Do a happy dance when your little one ticks off a task! Just enjoy the process!
Involve the whole family
This system works best when everyone is on board. So, get the whole family involved! Delegate tasks to everyone and make sure everyone knows what needs to be done and when. Let your little kids see you and other adults in the house using the planner too.
Make sure tasks are developmentally appropriate
This is a no-brainer but worth mentioning. Make sure the tasks you are assigning your child are developmentally appropriate. You don’t want to overwhelm them or set them up for failure.
Use positive reinforcement that aligns with your child
What does your little one love? When your child completes a task, praise them and give them a reward they’ll love.
Be patient
It may take some time for your child to adjust to using a system. Stick with it and they will eventually get the hang of it. Trust me, it’ll be worth it when they are school-aged and the system is so ingrained you don’t have to nag them to unpack their school bag or brush their teeth!
Kelly Walter is the Director of Daily Orders, Australia’s leading creator of family wall planners.
