A typical day involves more than waking, eating, dressing, bathing, and playing. A chunk of the day is also taken up by transition times, going from one routine to another. These simple activities will help you keep your child on task and motivated. Cleanup and chore times will also go more smoothly with these ideas.

Bend and Stretch

Here is a cute way to get your toddler up and moving in the morning.

• Teach your child this simple rhyme and the motions that correspond with it.

Bend and stretch

Reach for the sky

Stand on tippy toes oh so high

Bend and stretch

Reach for the stars

Wave your arms

Both near and so far

Cleanup Is Fun!

Cleanup time does not have to be a battle. Simply make cleaning up a game!

• Explain to your child that all of his toys have homes, or special places where they belong. Then explain that he needs to make sure none of his toys get lost and must help each one find its home again. (It is helpful to have special places designated for your child's belongings. You may want to label shelves and cubbies with pictures to help your child match what belongs there.)

• Guide your child by having him pick up items by category. For example, you might say, “Let's pick up all the red things first.” Alternately, set a timer and have him try to speed-clean to beat the clock.

This Is the Way

Just about any activity or routine is more fun when you are singing.

• Make up different verses to the tune of “Mulberry Bush.” Here's an example:

This is the way we put on our shoes

Put on our shoes, put on our shoes

This is the way we put on our shoes, So early in the morning.

Other potential verses might involve how to wash our face, wait for the bus, climb into bed, and so on. You can change the time of day as appropriate — to “late in the evening,” for example.