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Smart Discipline for Every Age
You expect tantrums from a 2-year-old, but what about a child who's 5? Should you punish a 4-year-old who lies? What's the best age to start giving time-outs? As kids grow, the way you handle bad behavior needs to evolve. Here, top discipline tactics to suit your child.
She's curious, energetic, and mobile. Her challenge is to explore her environment.
Typical Behavior:- She's beginning to understand language and put words into context. She may not clearly grasp what "no" means or that yesterday's "no" also applies to today's experience.
- A 1-year-old hasn't learned how the world works -- for instance, that a glass vase can smash if it's knocked over.
- She wants what she wants now. Waiting is extremely difficult. She has no impulse control.
- Keep your expectations reasonable. Demonstrate proper behavior, but don't insist on it. Your tone of voice and facial expressions convey lessons best. Be firm yet positive, and don't overreact.
- Focus on prevention. Childproof your home, and put away breakables. If she grabs an off-limits item, take it away.
- Handle meltdowns by comforting and distracting. If your 18-month-old struggles to stay out of the car seat, console her and say that you know she dislikes being strapped in but that she must do it. Put her in, then divert her attention.
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2-Year-Old
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I was shocked also. Peaceful time outs saved my sanity. We do a minute for every year old he is (2 minutes 2 years old), and minute added if he gets up or continues to act out in time out, but we never go above 4 minutes (or double his age). If we didn't have time outs, we would have lost it by now.
2/17/2011 11:42:21 AM Report AbuseI was also shocked to see that. My 2-1/2 year old daughter does not enjoy being in a time-out, and rarely do we have to use this method, but I believe it is necessary to start at this age. When she is bahaving poorly, she gets a warning and almost immediately that the time-out is mentioned she changes her behavior.
2/17/2011 11:07:54 AM Report AbuseWe use a peaceful 'time out' with our child all of the time. I am really surprised to see that this article says not to do so--- I've read many other articles in Parent Magazine that encourage the use of a peaceful time out.
12/22/2010 01:07:03 PM Report Abuse