How to Discipline My 18 Month Old

Discipline doesn't have to be a headache or a hassle with your 18-month-old child. When disciplining your toddler, keep his developmental stage in mind and have patience. Toddlers are learning about the world and need to explore and make mistakes to do so. You need to set limits to keep him safe, but you also need to stay positive and support his budding independence.

Things You'll Need

  • Small chair
  • Stickers
  • Picture behavior chart

Instructions

    • 1

      Understand your child's limitations regarding discipline. An 18-month-old child is naturally curious, and certain behaviors may occur out of curiosity and a desire to learn, not to misbehave. Some developmental expectations at this age include being impatient and egocentric, testing limits, dealing with separation anxiety and resistance to rules or routines. This can be an extremely trying time for both toddlers and parents.

    • 2

      Choose a few important rules to work on at one time, minus the obvious safety concerns. For example, you might work on changing how she throws her toys, spoons and other objects, along with helping her to understand how to properly use and put things away. You always want to replace a negative behavior with a positive alternative.

    • 3

      Explain to him what he is supposed to do. Many parents make the mistake of using "no" too much and telling a child what he should not do. This is not an effective discipline technique and will result in frustration for you and your toddler. An example of an effective explanation is, "You do not throw your toys. We are going to learn to put these toys in your toy box."

    • 4

      Create a picture behavior chart to place stickers on and hang it in your toddler's play or bedroom. Children enjoy seeing progress as much as parents, and you can offer small rewards if she meets her goal several times. For the toy example, you could either draw or take a picture of her toys and the toy box. Help her place a sticker on the chart every time she picks up her toys or does not throw them while playing.

    • 5

      Choose a discipline method. Time out or removal of privileges are two popular choices among parents. Place a chair in a corner of the play or living room where your child will sit if he acts negatively. The timeout allows your child to calm down and think for a minute or two. You can also remove the toy your toddler has thrown or end the activity as a discipline method also.

    • 6

      Discipline consistently. This is important for toddlers who learn by repetition and example. Disciplining her for throwing toys one day but not the next will confuse her about the expectation. Use your chosen discipline method every time a negative behavior occurs. Follow up with a brief discussion of why it was wrong and help her to correct the behavior.

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