Create Structure & Predictability for your Littles
Create Structure & Predictability
There are certain strategies that ALL parents should be using every single day. One of those strategies is creating Structure & Predictability with your Littles. I am going to take you through everything you need to know to be able to see less challenging behaviour and BIG feelings over time with your Littles with this simple strategy!
Regardless of the challenges you are facing with your Littles currently, beginning to create structure and predictability in your everyday routines will make the world of difference!
To encourage positive behaviours by being proactive instead of reactive, we need to Create Structure & Predictability.
Do you have structure or predictability in your days?
Would you like to have more structure and predictability? If not, what are your reservations? What could be some challenges in implementing structure and predictability?
Our Littles thrive on structure and predictability in order to feel a sense of control in their environment. Littles feel safe and secure when they know what to expect. Parents feel confident when they know how to respond, and they respond the same way each time.
HELPFUL TIPS
Have a set schedule or daily routine - It is important to have a set schedule or daily routine so your Little(s) know what to expect each day. Try to follow the same sequence of events throughout your day (within reason!) as much as possible.
Keep it consistent at the beginning - When you first begin a daily schedule / routine, try to avoid changing it up too much until you have done it for a few weeks and everyone feels comfortable with the sequence of events.
Make it your own - Every family is different regarding what they find helpful. Some people need more detail, others only need general activities. You can decide what will work best for you and your family. Remember, Littles THRIVE on structure. You may not need the schedule, but they DO!
MIX IT UP & VARY THE SCHEDULE TO AVOID RIGIDITY (once established) - Although you want to be consistent with your daily schedule, you also don't want to create rigidity. Be sure to mix it up and vary the schedule (i.e. use different activities throughout the day, do different outings, etc.)
Broad Vs. Specific - You don’t need to put every single activity on the schedule; include just the bigger activities or tasks, to give your Little(s) an idea of what is happening. If your Little needs to have the activities or tasks broken down further, feel free to do that! (You can have separate schedules to help them in different environments and for different times of the day)
There are always going to be things that come up in our lives—that's inevitable. You can’t live a life where you do the same things every day, because that would become very boring! But when you keep your days as consistent as possible overall, you can then add changes into your schedule once you prepare your Little(s) for them!
I have provided two sample schedules for you to see in the workbook. Make something that is going to work for you and your family! I also included a blank schedule for you to create your own! Reminder that these schedules are sample schedules for you as the parent (we need structure & predictability too!). If I was creating a schedule for Littles I would include visuals and other information relevant to their developmental level.*I do have several printables for Littles in my FREE resource library - head to my website for more information!
I invite you to take some time to brainstorm what a typical day / schedule could look like for you and your family. Whether this is a schedule that already exists and is working for you, or one that you are willing to try.
Using Visual Supports to create Structure
What is a visual support?
A visual support is anything that uses the sense of sight / vision to understand something. For Littles (pre-puberty), they are in a developmental stage where they attach symbols to the meanings of things, and therefore visuals can be very effective for them!
For example, consider a storybook: when there are pictures in the book, it provides more information to the reader through a medium other than words.
Have you, as an adult, ever felt overwhelmed or unsure about what is expected of you?
What tools have you used to address this?
I know I personally use checklists, timers, reminders, post-its or other lists, checklists, or models to support my understanding of or completion of a task.
So why aren't we using these tools more with our Littles?
Visual supports can help them to feel more prepared about what is to come, as well as more in control of their day.
VISUAL SCHEDULE
Visual Schedules for Daily Routines
Use visual schedules for specific times or activities within your day.
e.g morning, afternoon, evening, bedtime, getting ready for school/daycare, etc.
Visuals are best used during difficult times of your day.
You do NOT need to use these for every moment of your day—in fact, I recommend that you don’t! Pick only the parts that are most tricky for you and your Little(s).
Create a visual schedule that works best for you and your family. It does not need to be fancy! Include your Little in the process; the more they are a part of it, the more likely they will be to follow the schedule.
You can use real pictures, clipart images, pair words with visuals, only use written words, have a full-day schedule, have a short schedule that is added to as the day goes on, have a “First, Then” schedule where you only have two items on a board at a time...there are so many possibilities!
Schedules can be hung on the wall, put in a book or binder, be used on a smart device, or even put on a key ring for Littles to take with them!
Examples: Object schedule, Picture schedule (on a key ring), picture schedule (clipart or real photos), first then schedule, checklists (with or without pictures), apps (choiceworks)
How to Use a Visual Schedule
Teach your Little how to use the schedule by explaining and demonstrating how to use it.
Refer to the visual schedule throughout the day. “We just got home, lets go check your schedule to see what is next.”
Talk about the schedule. “Look, you just got dressed, now it is time for breakfast!”
Make it active! Have your Little be in charge of as much of the schedule as they can—independence is the goal!
Celebrate! Be sure to celebrate yours and your Little's successes. “You cleaned up! You must be feeling so proud!” or, “Your teeth are so clean; you are so healthy!”
Strive for independence. The ultimate goal is to help our Littles gain independence. Once your Little understands the schedule, see if they can use it independently!
Learning Together
Like I said earlier, Structure & Predictability is one of the essential strategies ALL parents should know and use daily. I go through this strategy along with three other essential strategies I recommend to all parents and families I work with. To learn more checkout my course, The Behaviour Roadmap - Your Personal Parenting GPS. You get access to the course, press play, and it will guide you on your journey through the four essential pitstops of parenting!
In this course we will learn about the basics of behaviour, connection & communication with our Little(s), how to create more structure & predictability, and what to do when we can't prevent challenging behaviour and BIG feelings. Head to www.thebehaviourmama.com/behaviour-roadmap-learn-more to learn more about the course.
Checkout my website www.thebehaviourmama.com for more information on who I am, what I do, and how I can help!
