THAT BOOK….AGAIN??!?!??!
Ever wonder why your child wants you to read the same book over and over….or why they want to watch the same movie again and again? Seems crazy right? For us, it was The Cat In The Hat Comes Back….and forget trying to be sneaky and skip a page! If you thought your kid was the only one who did this, you’re way wrong. This is typical behavior of almost all young children and it gives us some great insight into what their little brains thrive on……predictability.
Humans like predictability. When we don’t know what to expect from our environment or the people around us we get stressed. Think about it. Anytime you enter an unfamiliar situation….a new job, or meeting your significant other’s family for the first time, it’s stressful because we don’t know exactly what to expect. Afterward, when we become familiar, we are more comfortable.
Your child’s world is filled with new experiences almost daily because they are, well…new people. But, just like you, they are more comfortable and less stressed when they are in familiar situations. That’s why establishing a consistent structure and routine in their little lives is so important. It provides them a solid foundation of predictability. Just watch, it’s when things change or are different in some way that you will see your child react stressfully.
Providing your child a stable daily routine will provide you with a happier, less stressed child. So, remember that as you read The Cat In The Hat Comes Back for the MILLIONTH time.
Ever wonder why your child wants you to read the same book over and over….or why they want to watch the same movie again and again? Seems crazy right? For us, it was The Cat In The Hat Comes Back….and forget trying to be sneaky and skip a page! If you thought your kid was the only one who did this, you’re way wrong. This is typical behavior of almost all young children and it gives us some great insight into what their little brains thrive on……predictability.
Humans like predictability. When we don’t know what to expect from our environment or the people around us we get stressed. Think about it. Anytime you enter an unfamiliar situation….a new job, or meeting your significant other’s family for the first time, it’s stressful because we don’t know exactly what to expect. Afterward, when we become familiar, we are more comfortable.
Your child’s world is filled with new experiences almost daily because they are, well…new people. But, just like you, they are more comfortable and less stressed when they are in familiar situations. That’s why establishing a consistent structure and routine in their little lives is so important. It provides them a solid foundation of predictability. Just watch, it’s when things change or are different in some way that you will see your child react stressfully.
Providing your child a stable daily routine will provide you with a happier, less stressed child. So, remember that as you read The Cat In The Hat Comes Back for the MILLIONTH time.