Structure- children need it but so do you.

Children cannot learn well without structure. If you are lacking in structure and routine, how can you give that to your child or student? You may think you are giving structure to a child, yet it is falling flat on what it should look like. If you do not know what will be happening next and make "fly by moment" decisions, you are not living a stable life! Structure helps a child feel stable and safe. When a child feels safe they can focus on learning. Structure= consistent and predictable. Do you have rules in place? Do you know what is happening next? If you don't, how can the children know what to expect? Get your life in order to give life to a child.

The other day, a teacher approached me excitedly: " Today I will take the children to the park, skip play time and I have this amazing crafts I want to do." I felt bad to welcome her back to world of reason, however for the children's sake I had to do it. David does not do well not knowing what to expect and will fly into a rage of frustration and anger. I told the teacher I love her excitement and enthusiasm however she must take the children's needs into consideration. Prepare the children before doing it, let them know there is a change in the schedule and then go ahead.

Children need routines that are consistent, they need to know what to expect, they need rules, and they need the adults in their lives to stick to them so that they can thrive. Remember- you staying true to structure in a child's life helps them live a normal life.