structured enviroment vs non...

amiamish · December 2008

Which do YOU think is better for a child-- being in a structured enviroment, with a schedule that is followed most of the time (within reason) or letting the child set their own routine and doing whatever they want, when they want....?

shopgirl78 · December 2008

I think there is a middle ground. ? We lean more toward the structured.?

Brewster · December 2008

Structured, with regards to feeding, nap times/routines, and bed times/routines

oparcm · December 2008

I'd say structured is more secure for them sometimes (depending on the structure and the child). For my dd, structured is better (and needed

amiamish · December 2008

Ah ha! That's the word I was looking for-- "routine" Thanks brew...

FWIW, I'm writing a persuasive essay, and this is my topic..."Children learn/thrive more when they have a routine."

wellfleet04 · December 2008

I think there is a middle ground and that is where I try to fall. We keep to a "schedule" in that her naps, bedtime, meals, etc are at predictable times, but we do not structure every hour of every day. I don't think it is healthy for kids to dictate what they want when they want it, though. Kids should not set their own bedtime, decide what they eat for meals, etc.

Do you mean more in terms of learning style for preschool or parenting? For preschool, I tend to prefer a more free, play-based style (though still with a "schedule" and routine) to a more structured, academic environment. For parenting, I try to be loose within a schedule if that make sense.