Discipline Methods for Toddlers

Disciplining toddlers is no easy task. Toddlers are constantly exploring their world and testing their limits as they are beginning to learn what is considered appropriate behavior. While no technique can possibly work for every child and parent every single time, there are options for you to choose from, says Melanie Haikon, author of "The Discipline Tool Kit: Successful Strategies for Every Age." Set rules and be consistent as this will give your toddler the safety and security she needs to develop in a healthy manner.

  1. Respect

    • Communicate and teach respect to your toddler by modeling what you expect of her through a polite, "adult-in-charge" approach, according to Ask Dr. Sears, a parenting and healthcare website. Your toddler learns through play and you'll find it helpful to step back when you see her making a "mess." Instead, take note of the enjoyment she's likely experiencing in that moment while she's engrossed in her play. While safety is always a top priority, waiting a few minutes until she moves from playing and splashing water in the bathroom sink may prevent the tantrum that will likely result if you abruptly remove her, says Ask Dr. Sears. Another option is to give her a special place to play with water, such as a bowl of water on the deck or extra time to splash at the end of bathtime. Your toddler may come to see that as "extra special fun time."

    Distract and Redirect

    • At this age, toddlers have short attention spans. When you see your little one heading for trouble, distract him and redirect his attention to something that will sustain his interest until you are able to remove the source of mischief, according to the Ask Dr. Sears website. Finding words your toddler associates with a particular action or activity and saying the word to redirect his attention at the moment he is heading towards mischief is another suggestion this website recommends. For example, if your son associates the word swing with going outside, you can say, "swing" as he is about to pull the dog's tail. He will likely run to the door to head outside, forgetting all about the dog, at least for the moment.

    Limits

    • Before you can set limits for your toddler, know your own limits, what you are able to tolerate and what rules are important to your family. Frustration will happen when your toddler is stopped by your firm limit. She may throw a tantrum, cry, scream or try again. Model the appropriate reaction to her frustration and your own frustration so your toddler can experience a healthy coping mechanism, according to Ask Dr. Sears. The limits and rules you choose for your family may be different from those of your best friend. Boundaries and rules help your toddler feel safe and secure so she is able to explore her environment without hesitation, according to the Ask Dr. Sears site.

    Natural Consequences

    • Use natural consequences when appropriate to help your child understand what happens when he behaves in a certain manner, according to the Family Education.com article, "Disciplinary Techniques That Work For Toddlers and Preschoolers." For example, after your son throws sand at his friend while playing at the park, his friend runs to his mother and wants to go home. You can gently point out to your toddler, "Tommy is crying because you threw sand and it hurt him. He doesn't want to play anymore today."

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