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As part of the “Essentials for Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers” series, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has included a subsection titled “Creating Structure and Rules” to help parents establish reliable routines for young children.
According to the CDC, consistency and follow-through are key when establishing structure and rules for toddlers and preschoolers. This helps children understand which behaviors are acceptable and which are unacceptable.
Breaking rules is a normal part of a child’s development and a way for them to test limits and learn about the world, but parents must establish firm consequences for behaviors that may be inappropriate or dangerous, and be consistent in their enforcement of rules.
The CDC offers these tips for establishing and enforcing rules and routines with toddlers:
1. Identify the rules. Be specific about rules, and avoid vague descriptions such as “be good.” Start with one or two and add additional rules only as needed, so as not to be confusing or overwhelming.
2. Explain the rules. Remind children of when, where, and why they exist. Use charts or pictures if needed to help explain and remind them.
3. Follow the rules. Set an example for children by requiring all family members to participate.
4. Use consequences. Use positive consequences such as praise to show your child you like that they are following the rules or routine. Use negative consequences, such as time out, to dissuade the child from breaking rules.
To read more about setting rules and routines with young children, visit the CDC website. To view examples of how to use visual aids to help create structure, watch the video “Charts and Graphs: Creating Structure and Rules.”
As part of the “Essentials for Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers” series, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has included a subsection titled “Creating Structure and Rules” to help parents establish reliable routines for young children.
According to the CDC, consistency and follow-through are key when establishing structure and rules for toddlers and preschoolers. This helps children understand which behaviors are acceptable and which are unacceptable.
Breaking rules is a normal part of a child’s development and a way for them to test limits and learn about the world, but parents must establish firm consequences for behaviors that may be inappropriate or dangerous, and be consistent in their enforcement of rules.
The CDC offers these tips for establishing and enforcing rules and routines with toddlers:
1. Identify the rules. Be specific about rules, and avoid vague descriptions such as “be good.” Start with one or two and add additional rules only as needed, so as not to be confusing or overwhelming.
2. Explain the rules. Remind children of when, where, and why they exist. Use charts or pictures if needed to help explain and remind them.
3. Follow the rules. Set an example for children by requiring all family members to participate.
4. Use consequences. Use positive consequences such as praise to show your child you like that they are following the rules or routine. Use negative consequences, such as time out, to dissuade the child from breaking rules.
To read more about setting rules and routines with young children, visit the CDC website. To view examples of how to use visual aids to help create structure, watch the video “Charts and Graphs: Creating Structure and Rules.”
As part of the “Essentials for Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers” series, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has included a subsection titled “Creating Structure and Rules” to help parents establish reliable routines for young children.
According to the CDC, consistency and follow-through are key when establishing structure and rules for toddlers and preschoolers. This helps children understand which behaviors are acceptable and which are unacceptable.
Breaking rules is a normal part of a child’s development and a way for them to test limits and learn about the world, but parents must establish firm consequences for behaviors that may be inappropriate or dangerous, and be consistent in their enforcement of rules.
The CDC offers these tips for establishing and enforcing rules and routines with toddlers:
1. Identify the rules. Be specific about rules, and avoid vague descriptions such as “be good.” Start with one or two and add additional rules only as needed, so as not to be confusing or overwhelming.
2. Explain the rules. Remind children of when, where, and why they exist. Use charts or pictures if needed to help explain and remind them.
3. Follow the rules. Set an example for children by requiring all family members to participate.
4. Use consequences. Use positive consequences such as praise to show your child you like that they are following the rules or routine. Use negative consequences, such as time out, to dissuade the child from breaking rules.
To read more about setting rules and routines with young children, visit the CDC website. To view examples of how to use visual aids to help create structure, watch the video “Charts and Graphs: Creating Structure and Rules.”
