Boundaries"
What are boundaries?
Boundaries are the limits in a child’s world that are set by adults to define safety and predictability.
Boundaries send children the message that, “I care about you and I want you to feel safe as you discover your world.”
How do you set boundaries?
Developmental Stages
It is important to keep in mind that some children achieve various developmental milestones sooner or later than the average but may still be within the normal range.
1-2 Years
- Increasing physical coordination
- Increased awareness of distances between people and things
- Fatigue and frustration may lead to bumping and pushing others
What can you do?
- Allow lots of open space
- Encourage chasing games and hide-and-seek games
3-4 Years
- Beginning awareness of personal space
- Egocentric disregard for other’s personal space
What can you do?
- Increase awareness of personal space
- Use a hula hoop as a physical representation
- Encourage them to visualize themselves in a bubble
5-6 Years
- Increased awareness of personal space
- Beginning awareness of other’s personal space
- Increased independence may lead to:
- Decreased intimacy needs
- Increased close contact anxiety
What can you do?
- Encourage interactive movement games like Duck-Duck-Goose, Simon Says or dancing
- Demonstrate cause-and-effect relationships in personal boundaries such as role playing what happens when you hurt someone
Setting Limits
Use Positive Discipline (see handout) to clearly define your expectations, rewards, and consequences.
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