Routines and Schedules

The importance of learning to set a schedule of activities for our children is important to make for interesting and varied experiences plus exposure to the outside world. Some people may say, it's not necessary because kids will eventually learn anyways. This is a attitude of apathy.  Do you really want to raise your child in a environment of indifference and have them grow with a bleak outlook?

Initial birth will bring a parent to realize they have to adjust to their childs feeding schedule and get rested between feedings and use awake times for bathing, changing, caring and feeding their child. When the child is about 3 months and onward to one years old a series of changes begins with continued naps. This is the time where we will see smiles, cooing, teething, learning to eat solids and gradual change towards solid foods. A time also to teach your child the importance of eating the major food groups. A child will eat everything especially when hungry and maintaining a diet of the major food groups will ensure sources of vitamins and minerals for a healthy child.

The ages of one to four are when your child has learned to walk and talk and you are the centre of the world for knowledge and protection. Parents set the foundations of their relationship with their child during this time. Providing toys and setting 'together' times will encourage exploring and learning fine and large motor skills (tieing a knot, running) and foster a healthy attitude and continued hunt for knowledge. A childs mind is like a sponge and they will learn quickly. Teach them how to write, sing, dance, draw, paint with jello. Ensure there are no toxins in anything they will put in their mouths.

A child is full of energy and will require activities that make for burning it off such as walks, playing at the park, sports, swimming, sliding and even dancing. I use to take my children out berry picking with their own tiny little buckets and bring them home wearing berries but very happy. This is also time to keep talking with your child to encourage developing social skills, learning respect for others and property, manners, good mad and bad mad (tantrums), good touch and bad touch (sexual abuse). Quiet time activities will teach learning to sit quietly and focus. Movies, drawing and reading are good.

Discipline measures should be consistent. My own sons would fight over toys and end up crying. Both would go to their rooms for time out (about 15 minutes) and I would then ask, 'Do you want to apologize now?' and they would be more than happy to do so. Ensuring consistency teaches them to stop certain behaviors and respect for your authority as the parent. Reward good behaviors with snacks or one of their own activities.

Teaching these skills to your child in their first formative years will help set the background to socially adapt to outside environments such as school. A good understanding of proper conduct will provide your child with life long skills to apply for their future and bring you, the parent, great pride and joy in your child.

I hope you found this article informative. Please feel free to leave your comments and share your own observations.