Parenting Advice: Routine, Structure, and Consistency

Routine, Structure, and Consistency -- these are three things children of all ages need. Children feel safest when things in their world are reliable and predictable. It's important that children have at least a general sense of how most days in their lives will go and what they can expect from their interactions with their parents. When they feel safe, they thrive developmentally; they are confident, willing to try new things, get along with others, and handle disappointment well. So, parents, wherever you can build in routine and structure and be consistent, know that you are supporting your child's development in the process.