Toddler Discipline Strategies that works

Toddler discipline can prove to be a challenge for most parents. Toddlers go through a stage where they test for boundaries. During this time it is the parent’s responsibility to clearly define their boundaries. There must also be consistency in dealing with behavior that crosses the boundaries. Disciplining the child requires that you first know your child well and develop a healthy relationship with him. Once the child places his trust in you, he will also begin to trust the limits you set for him. Here are some toddler discipline strategies that work.

Time out is a commonly used strategy for toddler discipline. This involves placing the child in a corner for about a minute per year of the age. The child will not usually remain in the corner and so you need to stand over them. It is preferable that you face away so that they cannot read your facial language. This is because the slightest change in your expression will cause them to plead and if you give in they will learn that they can change the rules by pleading or throwing tantrums. Once the time out is up, you can tell them that if the behavior is repeated they will be placed in the corner again. It is important that disciplinary steps be taken immediately after the problem behavior. If your child misbehaves in public, take him to a corner or an area that is not crowded and punish him. This is because being punished in public can hurt the child’s self-esteem. However, do not avoid punishing him altogether as this will teach him that he can misbehave in public without any repercussions. Distract and divert is another disciplinary strategy that involves distracting the child from problem behavior and then redirecting or diverting them to a better alternative such as helping with chores. Temper tantrums are common among toddlers and the best step here is to ignore the tantrum and make it known to the child that you will not entertain them until they put an end to the toddler tantrum. This establishes your control over the situation.

Cooperation must also be encouraged as the child is more likely to listen to you when you request them to do or not to certain things, rather than demand or order. Toddlers are at an adventurous stage in their lives and they require that limits be set for them. Besides disciplining them, it also gives them a sense of security and comfort. Positive reinforcement is known to work to a greater extent than punishment. This involves rewarding the child for positive behavior with a lot of affection and love. Toddlers become used to hearing a “No” from the parents and start tuning it out after some time. Hence hearing and receiving positive feedback is a welcome change for them and they are likely to engage in the rewarded behavior more frequently.