Creating a stable, safe and nurturing environment for your child is important for their social, emotional and cognitive development. It is essential to provide children with a secure home environment that cultivates healthy relationships with family members, friends, and the community. Children who feel a safe connection with their parents, or caretakers and their home go on to exhibit fewer at-risk behaviors later in childhood.

The key to creating a safe and open home environment for your child is about more than just meeting their fundamental needs for survival. The people and the world around us have a critical effect on us and how we develop throughout our lifetime. Building an open and comfortable atmosphere filled with trust is vital in raising happy and healthy children who are ready to take on the world.

Here are some simple ways you can help make your child feel whole and happy at home:

1.) Setting Healthy Boundaries. Setting boundaries for your child, especially if they are a toddler can be a challenge, but it is an indispensable part of healthy development. These boundaries can include sticking to your decisions, modeling the behavior you want to see and staying firm, yet loving.

2.) Stay Positive. Facing unexpected challenges is common as a parent and we are all guilty of responding to those challenges in a negative way from time to time. However, a negative attitude can lead to further negativity in the future. Try to stay positive and look on the bright side in every situation. Your children will soon start to model that same positive behavior as well.

3.) Create a Stable Environment. Providing a consistent routine for your child is key to helping them feel secure and settled. This includes establishing good bedtime, mealtime, and playtime routines.

4.) Display Affection. The importance of this cannot be overestimated. Hug, cuddle and show concern when your child is upset by asking them what is wrong and why they are feeling this way. Allow children to express their feelings and let them see yours. This will establish trust in you, making your child feel secure.

5.) Create a Safe Environment. It is important to provide a safe space for children to explore their interests and develop their skills. Some ways to provide this environment include, installing safety gates where necessary, keeping hazardous chemicals out of reach, setting up a safe play area and teaching your child the importance of safety.

Creating a stable and nurturing environment for children is an important responsibility for parents. This type of environment is a key element in your child’s development and will set them up for future success.