The secret behind using Routines & Schedules is that it helps children to 'predict' what is going to happen next. Knowing what to expect  can give kids the security they require to strengthen their emotional development.....an area of development often over-looked.

TIPS FOR CREATING A ROUTINE
1.) Write down what you expect your child do accomplish 
2.) Post the routine where child can refer to it
3.) Discuss with the child what you expect of them and how to follow the routine
4.) Demonstrate or do the routine with them - modelling
5.) Refer to the routine daily and be consistent with it

Many Parents have asked “What’s the point of a routine?” or “Why do we have to be so consistent?” and "What’s with all the ‘visuals and schedules’?" The secret is that CONSISTENCY can build TRUST and deepen the CONNECTION.

​It's the CONNECTION that Parents build with their child can determine how kids interact back with their Parents - listening, communication, etc..... Being consistent and following through coincides with being AUTHENTIC. Children know when an adult is being authentic or not.....and when they are not, it sends signals of insecurity. If Parents DO what they SAY they are going to DO, then they become someone of their word….a trustworthy person. If Parents do the opposite and say everything but only do some of the things or totally change your mind over and over, to a child - they become someone NOT of their word and potentially untrustworthy on some level. When kids are insecure & unsure, they don’t feel safe. Feelings of being safe & secure is fundamental in developing healthy self-esteem which creates confidence.

​Visuals, charts & schedules are all excellent ways of making the expectations clear as well as great tools for teaching what is expected of the child. You can adapt the visuals & directions according to the child’s age but the concept remains the same. When expectations are clear, kids can feel more secure. When kids feel secure, they are more confident. When kids are confident, they can achieve so much more and be more successful with a healthier self-esteem.

You can 'de-code' tantrums by sorting them into 2 separate groups. The first is 'TANTRUM PREVENTION' and the second is 'TANTRUM RESPONSE'.

PART 1. ) TANTRUM PREVENTION
Tantrum prevention is an important piece of the puzzle as this will be a 'proactive' approach which can help decrease tantrums tremendously if not stop them all together. It will be more effective in tackling tantrums versus not doing any prevention and be left dealing with them constantly which is a 'reactive' approach. 

   A.) Increase Sleep - 
One of the main issues behind behaviour in children is lack of adequate sleep. This is a huge issue for a lot of Parents who just seem to 'put up with it' because they don't know what else to do. Toddlers are needing about 12-14 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period for proper growth & development and to just function normally on a daily basis.. {Infants about 14-16 hours and preschoolers about 10-12 hours}. Ensure your child is getting enough sleep as this will help diminish tantrums and behaviours.

 B.) Increase Routine - 
You may have several routines already but if your little tot is misbehaving or having a lot of tantrums, they may not be effective enough. At this early age you can't have enough routines. Children but especially toddlers, thrive on structure and routine. Being able to 'predict' what is going to happen next is a critical component to a child's learning and understanding.

 C.) Increase Attention -
There is a good chance that even though you may be spending every waking minute ( and night time too) with your child, there may not be enough 'attention' in the 'tank'. This is your quality, one-on-one time that you spend with your child with no other distractions or items on the agenda accept for making a true connection. Many Parents admit that this is lacking on a daily basis because they just think they are with them all the time anyway, so what difference does it make. There is a huge difference when you 'top up the tank' of attention as this builds attachment, connection and trust. 

Click here to continue reading PART 2 of Decoding Tantrums >>>>>