TODDLER DISCIPLINE
Toddler Behavior
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Toddler discipline
Discipline is important ....it is not about smacking, but about giving very clear boundaries.
Toddlers go through a stage where they will seem to be continually pushing the boundaries you have set into place.
This is a normal part of growing up and realising that they are independent human beings.
The secret to prevent bad toddler behavior is to know your toddler well and be able to pre-empt their actions.
If your toddler is at that stage where they are into everything then ensure you toddler proof your home.
Lift fragile objects out of reach, put locks on doors and ensure your toddler cannot get hold of poisonous cleaning substances.
Baby safety gates will help in preventing your toddler constantly trying to climb the stairs or go into a room such as the kitchen whilst you are cooking.
Doing this will ensure that you are not saying "no" constantly, and keeping toddler discipline for the important things.
You will need to be sure you and any other adult carers of your toddler are all on the same page with how you disciple and what you have decided is bad behavior.
For instance it is not good if you say no to going into a particular cupboard but dad lets her.
Being consistent is the key.
For the moment, don't have any grey areas where behavior is concerned. A "no" must mean "no" today, tomorrow and next week.
Very clear boundaries allow your toddler the freedom to be a child and explore safely whilst knowing the limitations.
You must stick to any limits you set, your toddler will become confused if you don't and will push the boundaries even further.
toddler discipline
Distraction
Some toddlers can still be distracted from bad toddler behavior behavior, if this technique works then use it.. you really want to avoid having to say "no" all the time.
We discovered that saying "no" all the time didn't work and can actually escalate toddlers into a toddler temper tantrum.
Using distraction techniques can seem like hard work at the time, but it does lead to a calmer, more peaceful home.
So if your toddler is trying to do something naughty distract them to another activity, such as the dusting
(our toddlers really enjoyed "helping" us do the cleaning for some reason)
Toddler discipline differs from disciplining older children in that you must discipline at the time of the misbehavior.
With older children delaying the consequence to misbehavior is an effective disciple method.
Toddlers however, will not remember a misbehavior from earlier in the day and will be very confused if punished hours later.
Time Out
This can work although you will need to remain with your child for the short time your toddler spends in time out.
If your toddler misbehaves say "no", place them on a chair or the bottom step for one or two minutes.
Do not enter into discussion but remain silent and calm for the time your toddler is in time out. If your toddler moves, place them back.
Once the time is up give your toddler a hug, quickly and simply say I put you here because you...... then engage your toddler in a positive activity.
toddler discipline
Consequences
Start to introduce consequences for bad behavior as your toddler grows.
This allows toddlers to learn from their mistakes by making the punishment a direct consequence of the bad behavior.
This always needs to be carried through straight away with a young child. They will not understand nor link behavior to consequence, if there is a long period between the two.
Consequences could be: "if you don't put your coat on we won't go to the park".
This could be made positive by turning it round to put your coat on then we will go to the park
The TV gets turned off in order to clear up a mess that has been made.
Positive Reinforcement
Perhaps the most important thing you can do toward toddler discipline is reinforcing good behaviors.
This is an incentive to behave properly.
Notice the good behaviors and comment, tell them well done, spend quality time to reinforce this.
It is often better to ignore bad behavior if you can do so safely. Often temper tantrums can be to gain attention.
If a child is lacking in attention even negative attention is better than none.
Toddler Discipline can be tricky, because in some ways toddlers are still more like babies than a big kids. Reinforcing good behaviors and enforcing consequences for bad ones in a way they can understand will allow your toddlers to learn naturally from their mistakes.
And lessons learned that way are remembered the best.
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