Children of all ages deal with change on a daily basis, whether it's a new creche, school or babysitter, a friend moving away or new duties at home.
Even though a child doesn't always like it, he or she does better when they know what to expect. You may make your child feel safe and secure by providing a structured atmosphere for him, which is crucial for preventing behavioural issues.
Why Structure Is Important
Setting up a schedule is the first step in giving your child's day structure. That can entail having the same wake-up time, meals, snacks, and naps every day.
Your friends and relatives may refer to you as the "strict" parent if you enforce rules and stick to a schedule. However, if this title results from giving your child's day more order, accept it.
Children require these routines and norms for a variety of reasons, including helping them acquire self-control, feel frustration and delayed reward, and interact correctly with their environment.
Routines also help children learn independence. You won't likely need to constantly remind your child to do his homework or follow him out the door shouting it once he realises that the morning routine includes brushing his teeth, getting dressed, eating breakfast and packing his rucksack.
As your child gains confidence in his ability to take care of himself, this independence can raise his self-esteem.
Additionally, when you've ordered your child's day, you're less likely to notice behavioural issues. Your youngster will feel less apprehensive about what is happening if he knows what to anticipate. He won't have to worry about living up to expectations and can instead concentrate on controlling his behaviour.
Create a Routine
Introduce change gradually if there is currently little structure in your child's day. Start a pattern by concentrating on just one period of the day, such the hour or so between dinner and bed.
Organise activities in a way that works best for your family as you are the one who knows what needs to be done during this time, such as packing lunches, finishing homework, taking baths and brushing teeth, having story time, and going to bed.
If you have a "command centre" at home, make a poster with the list of things to do listed sequentially. If you include pictures of each child completing this exercise correctly, you won't need to walk them through it once they get the hang of it, freeing you up to finish your work and be ready for the next day.
Children may need several weeks or even several months to get used to their routines.
They will become accustomed to your expectations over time and won't require any further reminders from you.
Don't forget to incorporate some enjoyable time into your routine, such as story time or talking about your day as a family. Sometimes, concentrating too hard on completing a schedule means passing up these chances to spend time together as a family.
Establish house rules
Having structure also entails following your family's rules. These guidelines should be age-appropriate, unambiguous, and explicit (e.g., art tools stay in the dining room, no TV until homework is finished). They should be spelt out in advance, and any changes to existing rules should be discussed first.
To ensure that your child is aware of what can happen if he disobeys these rules, you can also talk to him about the penalties for doing so. Consequences can include loss of allowance, suspension of game time, or prohibition of weekend social activities.
Effectively breaking the rules and routine
When a child's parents decide to break routine for a little fun, like staying up late to watch shooting stars or playing a board game on a school night, those moments can be among of life's most memorable ones.
Parents must be somewhat adaptable.
Be prepared to alter the household arrangement as your child grows, as well. Naturally, rules and routines designed for toddlers must be modified to suit teenagers. Take stock of your household's structure every few months and make any necessary adjustments.
The ultimate consequence of a few months of focused effort will be a feeling of structure that ends power struggles, organises the entire family, and gives your child a sense of security and independence.
