Five Key Ways of Providing a Structured Routine for Toddlers
Sometimes, when there are unplanned events and even planned events that occur in our children’s lives, it can be challenging to create a sense of structure and safety. However, when children do not have this structure, it creates a level of anxiety in children that may lead to unidentified trauma that impacts their lives long term if not monitored and addressed.
What is Structure?
According to Kathy Eubster, when parents provide structure, it means they are asserting and establishing their parental authority and control responsibly to encourage the healthy growth and development of their children.
Why Provide Structure?
For safety and security: Children need structure and limits to ensure their physical and emotional safety and security. Chaotic and unstructured environments are detrimental to children’s healthy development.
For learning about the world and the people in it: By learning rules and understanding limits on their behaviors, children are educated about the world and how to get along with the people in it.
For understanding disappointment and frustration: In a structured environment, children learn how to handle feelings of frustration and disappointment. They also learn how to delay gratification. These are important skills for later in life.
For developing self-responsibility: Limits and demands provide children with an opportunity to learn self-control and to make responsible choices on their own.
According to CSC, there are Five ways of Keys to Creating Structure.
- Predictability focuses on consistency and follow-through that are essential for creating a sense of structure in the home and Click here to learn more.
- Make a conscious effort to respond to your child’s behavior the same way every time. When you are consistent, the behaviors you like will happen more often, and problem behaviors are less likely to happen. Click here to learn more.
- Routines and daily schedules help you and your child. You both know what to expect each day. Routines can also improve your child’s behavior and your relationship with your child. Click here to learn more.
- A family rule is a clear statement about never okay behaviors, such as hitting and running in the house. You can change your child’s behavior when there are clear consequences for breaking the rule. Click here to learn more.
- Keep things positive! Reward and praise your child for following routines and rules. This makes it more likely that your child will follow the routines and rules in the future. Click here to learn more
In closing, make an effort to implement the above strategies to encourage your child during planned and unplanned events and traveling experiences.
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