Make the home as child-friendly as possible. The child-play area featured here is at Noah's Ark in Barbican square. - Ian Allen /Staff Photographer

It is said that a child who is truly at home in his house is likely to be much more happier and pleasant.

However, if the house is one in which he or she is often made to feel unwelcome, or is constantly meeting in accidents, the effect will be a markedly negative one.

Parents and caregivers should start to create the child-friendly home by making it safe.

"Dangerous situations should not be object lessons or training grounds for obedience," states Natia Meehan, certified Montessori teacher.

Keep your home neat and well ordered. This appeals to children's sense of order (strongest between the age of one and three) and will help them to be neat also.

Provide them with low drawers, baskets and shelves or clothes, books and toys. Children, if grown in an accessible environment, will enjoy placing their own clothes and toys in the right place and keeping their room neat, without quarrels from Mom or Dad.

Cleaning game

If you provide your child with child-sized mops and brooms this will also make the real work of cleaning floors as enjoyable as a game, the experts note.

In the kitchen, dishes stored down low and child-sized cooking utensils will encourage them to do their own mixing and 'cooking' while you cook, instead of watching television or hanging on to your feet asking for attention.

Place their clothes for the day where they can reach them, and even choose what to wear before coming out for breakfast.

At www.lowes.com, it is noted that decorating your house to accommodate children doesn't have to mean giving up beautiful fabrics and decorator hues for a collection of cartoon characters and primary colours.

It is quite possible to let your home make a statement about your tastes and satisfy your child's needs at the same time.

Baskets under a coffee table make convenient toy storage. Make your children's toys accessible to them.

Make sure that the things your children are allowed to use are placed within their reach.

Make sure things they aren't allowed to play with are well out of reach. Keep plants, flowers and decorative items off tables where little hands can reach.

Children are also happier when they see the things they want around them. Let the children help with decisions on how their spaces will be decorated.

- Outlook Team