• Discipline for toddlers is very difficult• They love looking and testing for boundaries • You must set boundaries from the beginning and

keep them the same• Give them warnings before actually disciplining

them so they understand what they are doing is wrong

Some of the more common ways they MISBEHAVE include:

• getting into things they aren’t supposed to

• not listening

• fights with friends or siblings• negative attempts to gain

parents/ supervisors attention

• Try not to pay too much attention to negative behavior because it can encourage your child to think that is the way to get your attention.

• Ignore temper tantrums and crying

Set rules. Be specific and consistent. Avoidoverwhelming your child by making too manyrules.

Offer choices when possible.

Give lots of attention for good behavior. Avoidcalling your child names like “bad boy” when hemisbehaves.

When you discipline your child, remain calm.NEVER yell, hit or scream at your child.

TIME-OUTS• A Time-out is probably

the most effective discipline.

• You must remain consistent and calm.

• Be repetitive, even if you are tired or busy.

• It’s also important for anyone who spends time with the child, to remain consistent with limits.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvnhniamk_E

Isolate the child briefly from other children and activities.

Use age as a guideline – three minutes for 3-year-olds and four minutes for 4-year-olds.

Choose a time-out spotthat is close enough for you to see, but is not an interestingplace for your child to be

Tell him one time what he has done wrong and send him to time-out. Time-out starts whenyour child is sitting quietly in his spot

How To Give A Time-Out

• Effective discipline also rewards your child for good behavior.

• Verbal rewards are easiest and best to let your child know you recognize her positive behavior.

• Be specific in your praise. Don’t just say, “You were a good girl today.”

• Make sure your behavioral expectations are appropriate for the developmental age of your child.

1. Your son has a ritual of a bed time story, tooth brushing, and a goodnight kiss. But after he is put to sleep, he comes into your room every night… WHAT

DO YOU DO?• A– Let him sleep in your

room on the comforters on the floor.

• B– Keep returning him to his bed night after endless night.

• C– Give him a consequence: If he gets out of bed, he wont get to go to the park the next day.

• Kids love to cause drama and test your will so they will repeatedly do things like this. Consistency is key! After they realize that they are not allowed to stay in your room. They will stop. Don’t give in!

2. You’re at a toy store buying a present for your niece when your 4 year old begs for a toy on the shelf. You tell her it’s too expensive and her whining escalates.

WHAT DO YOU DO?• A– Don’t give in but buy

her a less expensive toy while your in the checkout line.

• B– Point out that she already has an alpine-size mountain of stuffed animals in her room so you won’t buy it.

• C– Tell her no, state your reasons, and then refuse to engage in any more talk about it.

• Show that when you make a decision, you intend to stand firm. If your child senses even the slightest hesitation, she’ll press the issue so keep your response as brief as possible. If she starts to get louder, give her the option of either calming down or leaving the store.

3. You’re chatting with other moms at the playground when your child swats another youngster as they fight

over a toy. WHAT DO YOU DO? • A– Have her say

she’s sorry. • B– Remove her

immediately so she understands hitting is wrong.

• C– Take away her toy and tell her not to hit.

• Although it’s a good idea to have your child apologize to her playmate and then remover her from the playground if she gets more upset, the first thing you should do is take her hand, make eye contact and tell her “No hitting!” If she calms down and plays nicely from then on, be sure to offer her words of praise.

4. It’s time to leave the park, but your preschooler’s happily playing in the sandbox. He really doesn’t want

to go and asks for more time. WHAT DO YOU DO? • A– It’s time to put

your shoes on because we’re leaving.

• B– Will you please put your shoes on and go to the car?

• C– If you don’t get into the car right now, I’m leaving!

• When you ask your child a question, you’re giving him control. Instead say specifically what you want. If possible, give him a five minute warning and stick to it.

Michael is not yet three years old and seems to be negative about everything. No matter what is said or asked of him, he answers with a defiant “NO!” Probably the best explanation for this behavior is that he is

• A. developing an antisocial personality.

• B. discovering and trying out his individuality.

• C. expressing some deep-seated hostility.

• D. frustrated by unreasonable limitations on his behavior.

• Children will test you to see what they can get away with. You don’t want the behavior to continue, so you must do something about it!

They need to learn the

right way to deal with

their feelings.

The best way to encourage cooperation in children is to

• A. instruct them to be cooperative.

• B. provide them with good models for cooperative behavior.

• C. punish them for not cooperating.

• D. reward them with a cookie.

• They learn from others and modeling is a very effective way to get a desired behavior!

Of the following ways of dealing with a child’s aggressive behavior, the method that seems to work best is

• A. ignoring the child.

• B. isolating the child for a short period of time. (Time-out)

• C. spanking the child.

• D. yelling at the child.

• This is an easy one!