You want to keep your child safe and secure. At the same time, you want to create a play space that encourages exploration, play, and learning. As a parent, how can you encourage safety while fostering freedom?
In many ways, every new parent needs to know that children often trip or tumble. That’s why you can anticipate the needs of infants and young children in the design of your home.
Keep these 5 tips in mind to keep your child safe and happy.
Safe Spaces
If you’re a new mom you’re already finding that there are things you may not have thought of! Naturally, you did everything you could think of to create a safe crib, cozy nursery, and safe surroundings.
Perhaps you called on a friend, family member, or neighbor to help you baby-proof your home. You focused on creating safe spaces including:
Installing a baby gate
Removing sharp objects or jagged-edged furniture
Covering wall sockets
Choosing sturdy, safe materials
Removing small objects that could be swallowed
As you examined your surroundings, you looked to ensure fall safety. You took into account any area where your child could be vulnerable to falling. You also looked at special features that could invite falls and set up gates or barriers for stairs, porches, decks, and lofts. You took extra precautions to secure appliances and chords with an appliance-locking strap.
Safe Supplies
Using common sense, you’ve gone around the house with a fine tooth comb and a magnifying glass. You removed all medications, cleaning supplies, insecticides, and sprays from the reach of your little one. You also took measures to remove access to anything that could be swallowed, but shouldn’t such as vitamins, cooking items, and alcoholic beverages.
In addition to things that could be swallowed, you expanded your zone of safety. You removed access to things that could be used for a purpose other than intended. These include the safe storage of plastic bags, aluminum foil, and other household wrappings.
With this in mind, you also checked on any supplies for the yard, garden, or automobile, everything that could be touched, drunk, swallowed, or used is out of reach.
Safe Fires
While thinking along these lines, you’ve worked with the eagle eye of a fire safety inspector. You removed matches, lighters, and anything that could be used to start a fire. You also made sure that if you have a fireplace, wood stove, or gas heater all is screened for safety and inaccessible to your toddler.
Check with your local fire department if you want to lock this down with a professional checklist. They will be happy to provide guidelines to prevent fires, and tips on how to create a fire-safe environment.
Safe Belonging
Every child wants a safe environment where they feel a sense of belonging. While the structural precautions are essential, you’ll also want to look for ways to encourage exploration and play. By taking a proactive approach, you’ll find there are locations where it’s easier to monitor your child and encourage them to explore the environment.
Many children need a balance between public and private spaces. This is why it helps to create private areas such as secluded corners, cubbies, and cozy nests. These areas invite children to play on their own as well without worry.
A soft floor can also encourage children to explore the physical environment. If rolling, crawling, tumbling are encouraged, children can have a stronger sense of physical confidence.
Safe Projects
As your child grows, they’ll look for more room to explore and expand. You can encourage this by having a floor plan that is free from columns, sharp objects, and hard surfaces. A soft floor, foam mats, or gymnastic mats encourages children to roll and crawl without injury.
Set up play spaces for specific purposes. Some areas may be suited for quiet activities such as reading or drawing. Other areas could be ideal for noisy projects, such as hammering, playing music, or building.
As you’ve been exploring these changes in your home, you’ve also been practicing very powerful skills. In essence, you’ve been practicing many of the skills that are needed for a master’s in construction management.
It may seem funny to realize, but as you’ve just proven you’ve got skills. You’ve been practicing the skills for strategic risk management, safe construction, and creative project design. You may be able to enhance your skills in flexible, online programs. Are you interested in exploring this exciting new career path?
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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