Correlates of Family Routines in Head Start Families‪.‬

Abstract The popular parenting literature places great importance on the role of routines in children's lives. Empirical research on family routines, however, is limited. This study examined correlates of family routines in a Head Start population in order to better understand their significance in the lives of families. Weak correlations were found between family demographic characteristics and the number of established routines in the home. No correlations were found between family routines and teacher and observer ratings of child outcomes and standardized test scores for the full sample. Mothers' reports of their depression levels and their children's behavior problems were correlated with the number of routines in the home. Interesting sex differences emerged, in that teachers' and observers' ratings of girls' outcomes and mothers' ratings of girls' behavior were related to the number of family routines, but boys' behavior was not.