Chapter 9 - Arranging the Environment

Reduce Environmental Over-Stimulation.

Sometimes a child needs surroundings that are not crowded with too many choices or distractions. A good example of this is bedtime. Sometimes distracting things happen just when you want your child to go to sleep. This can cause stress to happen and the stress is displayed as 'bad' behavior. Reducing distractions (like noise) can help a child behave more appropriately.

Organizing toys and materials in cartons or boxes, and having play areas set up clearly, will help to keep a child positively focused. A child sized table or desk, toy chests, containers for crayons, etc. help to reduce over- stimulation and acting out.

Think about the times your child gets over-excited and difficult to handle. What are some things you could do to the environment to prevent this behavior from happening?