Children who follow a daily routine and have a structured schedule know what to expect and usually feel more comfortable in that kind of environment. Consistency is also important to a child’s behavior. At times, schedules will need to be modified, but most of the time, the schedule is such that a child with specific needs will benefit from such consistencies.
Social/Developmental interaction is very important to a young child’s well being. During this time, much is being offered:
- Being with friends and making choices
- Exploring how things work together
- Learning to share and cooperate as a team
- Becoming responsible and independent
- Coping with different personalities and how to respond
Group/Structured time is also very important to a child’s mental development. During this time, the children are:
- Learning how to sit still and focus
- Elaborating on specific subjects or topics
- Sharing ideas, feelings and experiences
- Learning how to speak in turn
- Listening attentively in order to learn
Children with structured school and home environments learn to identify with specific instructions and handle boundaries with confidence.