Routine and Structure
The key to confidence building in children.
HI Parents,
Routine and structure go hand in hand to help us maximize our potential. A day that is routine and has structure allows us to get the best out of the hours we are awake. At times we may deviate from the routine, but it is important to remember that at least we have a routine from which to deviate, and this provides us with a path to get back on track.
Having routines helps us to set clear goals. In the morning when we wake, having a focus for the day gives our mind something to grasp on to. It allows us to declutter and organize things of importance. With that routine in place, we deviate from distractions and keep to the important things.
When raising our children the expectation of routines is also important. Routines help our children to develop feelings of calm, safety and confidence while decreasing feelings of anxiety and insecurity. A child that has routines will experience a greater level of calm as they know the expectations.
A simple morning routine lessens anxiety as our children know what to expect and how to function. This routine decreases anxiety and promotes confidence as our children grow in independence. Other routines that are helpful are bedtime routines.
This gives us an opportunity to unwind from the day and get in a mode to promote a proper sleep cycle.
If needed a visual schedule can be developed to aid our children who are more visually inclined. This will provide a tangible model to follow and further builds independence as over time a child will learn to check the schedule as needed.
These routines when taught and reinforce bring calm to the household, and over time the household will function as an orchestra of bustling movement that is purposeful. In the absence of routine there is chaos, and everyone tries to create a flow to the daily occurrence of life. This further leads to cognitive dissonance as we struggle to complete simple tasks.
The aim of routines is not to confine our children, but instate its design is to create reasonable boundaries in which a child can freely roam. Over time our children will take the initiative to do the things they need to do with us as parents taking the passenger seat in their success. Our children need to grow in confidence so that they will be equipped to face the world and routines will help them to develop this confidence.
A confident child is also more equipped to manage lives challenges. Yes, this all goes back to setting routines. IN having these routines, we are cultivating independent skills, social emotional balance and positive behavior. With established routines the structure in our home and lives will be improved, freeing us to do more for and with our children.