Parenting Pointers - Routines and Learning

I recently had a chance to interview Haley DeSousa, M.Ed., Head of Curriculum and Instruction at Haven, the first fully licensed U.S. daycare to offer flexible childcare, co-working, and fitness in one membership, to discuss How Predictable Routines Build Better Brains.

 

With degrees in Early Childhood Education and Curriculum & Instruction (and a certificate in progress from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education), Haley brings both academic expertise and real-world experience from designing Haven’s play-based, whole-family learning environments.

 

• What are some developmental benefits to routines in early learning?
Young children are constantly trying to make sense of the world, and routines give them something steady to hold onto. When a child knows what’s coming next, it helps them feel safe, and when they feel safe, they can focus their energy on learning, growing, and connecting with others.

 

Routines are how we show children, “You can count on this.” Over time, that sense of consistency builds confidence, self-regulation, and even independence. When transitions are predictable and emotions are supported, kids don’t just follow routines, they begin to internalize them. That’s where real developmental growth happens.

 

• How can families blend structure with necessary flexibility when unexpected events occur?
Structure doesn’t mean every minute is planned. It means there is a rhythm to your day that helps everyone feel grounded, even when life gets messy (because it will!). The trick is to keep a few steady anchors, like morning snuggles, snack time, rest time, or bedtime routines, and be flexible in between.

 

If something unexpected pops up, you can still narrate the day for your child: “We’re doing things a little differently today, but we’ll still have lunch and quiet time like always.” That kind of gentle storytelling helps them stay regulated, even when the plan changes. It also models that flexibility doesn’t mean chaos, it just means we adjust while still holding onto what matters.

 

• How can families continue to provide structure over the summer months without the routine of the school year?
Summer is such a beautiful opportunity to slow down and reset, but kids still crave some form of consistency. It doesn’t have to be complicated, just something that helps them know where the day is going. Even keeping meals, naps, or quiet play at roughly the same time each day can create a strong sense of security.

 

I always remind families that structure and spontaneity can live side by side. You can keep your rhythm and still have a picnic in the yard at a moment’s notice.

 

 

• What are the benefits of a whole-family learning environment?
When learning is something the whole family is part of, it stops being a task and becomes a shared way of living. Kids are natural observers. They watch how we handle frustration, how we ask questions, how we treat others, and how we care for ourselves. That’s learning.

 

In a whole-family learning environment, children feel like their voice matters. They’re invited into real conversations, real problem-solving, and real joy. It builds connection and confidence and turns everyday moments into rich opportunities for growth. Above all, it reminds us as adults that we’re still learning too, and that’s a beautiful thing to model.