After the child has passed the stage
where order is essential, we can still help them by
creating an ordered environment.
Have an area in the home for drawing
or writing. Keep all the felt tips together in a box
or jar and keep the crayons or pencils in this way
too. Have scissors, sellotape®, ruler or anything
else a child will need in a place where they can
always find and return them.
Keep their books together on a shelf.
Have a basket or a shelf for them to put their shoes
and a place for their school bag.
Every parent will have observed how as
soon as you tidy a child’s room they are into it!
And the play is long and involved.
You can facilitate this by keeping
order in their rooms and toy areas.
I am not suggesting sterile ordered
environments! But get rid of the huge toy boxes where
everything gets dumped. Try a simple shelf with an
assortment of boxes or containers. Keep all the blocks
in one box, the dolls clothes in another, the dress
ups together in one area, cars in a box and duplo® in
another. When it is time to tidy up, the child can
easily help…. “You put all the duplo® back in the
box and I will put the cars away” helps give focus
to tidy up time.
Having a place for everything and
keeping everything in its place will help the young
child’s need for order, will minimise tantrums and
enable the older child to find what they need and be
responsible and independent.
