10 Benefits of Classroom Routines

Think about all the routines you have in your life. Do you eat the same thing for breakfast almost every day and at the same time? Do you phone a family member or friend on a specific day of the week? Do you do your laundry or take out the trash on certain days?

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These are all examples of routines programmed into our daily lives that we don’t think about; we just do them. They make sense to us, and they reduce the number of decisions we have to make on a daily basis. 

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Establishing routines is one of the most important factors for a calm environment and a calm mind. This is critical in schools, especially for neurodivergent students and those with a disability. After all, routines help us learn. 

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When we learn new information, we first process it through our short-term or working memory. The new information is then either discarded or becomes part of our long-term memory. The catch is that our working memory has a limited capacity. If too much information comes in at once, it becomes difficult or even impossible to learn something new.

A 2022 article by McGraw Hill put it well: “Routines are effective because they allow students to focus on what they’re learning, not how to go about learning it.” When we establish routines, students can move throughout their day without needing to think about what’s coming up next, how much time they’ll have to work, or when snack time is. This reduces their cognitive load, freeing up their working memory so they have the capacity to take in that math concept you’re teaching or the new vocabulary words in English.

Routines are necessary to maximize learning in the classroom, and there are many other benefits as well. Let’s explore 10 benefits of routines, as well as what to do when students are having trouble following them. 

Well-established classroom routines:

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1. Help demonstrate time management

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As emphasized in my last blog, when students’ days are predictable, they begin to understand the passage of time and how it shapes their day. They understand the sequence of typical events and anticipate how long an activity will take. This time management is an important executive function skill that many students need reinforced. 

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2. Provide students with a sense of predictability and stability

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Routines provide a sense of security at school. Only when students feel safe and comfortable can they focus on learning.

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3. Reduce behavioral issues

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Whenever I hear classroom teachers say they’re seeing more behavioral issues, my first thought is to talk to them about their classroom routines. Routines help students understand expectations and procedures, and this understanding makes a huge difference in reducing unwanted behaviors.

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4. Support students in becoming task-oriented

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When students are accustomed to following a consistent schedule, they develop a sense of responsibility and understand the importance of completing tasks within a given time frame. 

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5. Help students stay focused and engaged

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Routines set the tone for the class, signaling that it’s time to be attentive and ready to participate.

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6. Empower students to become more independent and self-directed learners

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When students are familiar with the routine, they can navigate through tasks and activities without constant guidance, freeing up the teacher's time for individualized support. This allows students to feel proud of their independence and accomplishments.

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7. Help establish classroom norms and expectations

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Routines provide a framework for teaching and reinforcing essential social and behavioral skills, such as taking turns, active listening, and respecting others' opinions.

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8. Foster classroom community 

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When students engage in shared routines and rituals, they develop a collective identity and a sense of belonging, enhancing collaboration and cooperation among peers.

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9. Reduce anxiety and stress 

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Having a routine in place reduces anxiety and stress for both students and teachers. Students know what is expected of them, and teachers can anticipate and plan for classroom activities effectively, creating a calm and supportive learning environment. In my experience, an unpredictable classroom is one of the biggest factors leading to disruptive behavior in students.

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10. Facilitate smooth transitions between activities

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Routines make transitions more efficient, such as transitioning from whole-group instruction to small-group work or from one subject to another. This reduces downtime and maintains the flow of learning.

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Establishing classroom routines is essential, but even the best-laid plans can fall apart if students don’t follow them. When this happens, it’s important to take a step back and consider the root cause of the issue rather than jumping to conclusions. Here are some things to try if your students aren’t following classroom routines or when you’re developing new routines:

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Clarify Expectations

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Think about a time at work when your boss told you to get to work on something without letting you know exactly what they wanted the final product to be.

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I used to work at the fast-food restaurant chain Subway. If a customer came into the restaurant and just told me to make them a sandwich, it would be paralyzing! What kind of bread do they like? Are they vegetarian, or do they eat meat? Should I put spicy peppers on it? What about olives…not everyone likes olives.

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This is how students feel when they don’t know what the adult expects of them. Unclear expectations are generally a recipe for disaster.

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Teach Every Step

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Never assume that students already know how to perform a routine. Just because something feels like second nature to you doesn’t mean it will for them. For example, something as simple as brushing your teeth involves multiple steps that we often don’t think about. The same principle applies in the classroom: routines, no matter how simple, need to be broken down into clear, teachable steps. Walk them through each part of the routine as if they’ve never seen it before.

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I remember a time when a parent told me she realized her ten-year-old daughter was washing her hair with conditioner first and then shampoo. I was working with the younger son in this family, and I saw the older daughter as highly capable and very independent.

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However, no one had ever explicitly told her the correct order of using shampoo and conditioner; she had just decided it on her own! Explicit instruction isn’t just for neurodivergent or disabled students — everyone needs it. When teaching routines such as handing in assignments or transitioning between activities, each step should be communicated with similar clarity.

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Remember: Behavior Is Communication

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If you notice that a child is struggling to follow what you believe to be an established routine in the classroom, try not to assume that they are disobeying on purpose. Remember, all behaviors are a means of communication!

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Look back at the routine and see if all of the expectations are clear. Could the steps be broken down into smaller chunks? Could there be visuals to help the student through the process? By recognizing the underlying cause, you can address the issue more effectively and with greater empathy.

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Classroom routines are essential for productive and enjoyable days at school. And as we move throughout our day, it’s also important to talk about the time between our established routines. Transitions are another key component to a more positive school day and the topic of my next blog. 

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Do you need assistance establishing and reinforcing effective classroom routines in your school? Contact me for help.

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