Time-out for Toddlers
Time-out is a common discipline technique that is recommended by pediatricians and used by parents around the world. Basically, you leave your child alone for a short period of time when his behaviour is unacceptable. This gives him a chance to settle down and think about what he has done, and allows you or your partner to calm down – a far better approach than shouting in the heat of the moment.
Effective time-out tips
- Pick the location: A good location is one where there are not too many distractions. Putting him in a room full of video games will make it seem like a reward for bad behaviour. A quiet corner of a room should suffice. If outside of home, be sure to maintain contact and control.
- Set the duration: Some parents set a time-out only to remember hours later. Be sure to set a specific time of five to fifteen minutes.
- Provide an explanation: When the time-out is up, go into time-in. Many parents miss this important step. You should ask your toddler if he knows why he is being punished, listen to his answer, and explain to him why you had to do it.
As you can see, the time-out technique can turn an incident of bad behaviour into a learning opportunity. The next time your toddler becomes a little too unruly, give this time-tested technique a try.
