Be Consistent
When it comes to discipline, it’s important to be consistent. Parents who don’t stick to the rules and consequences they set up don’t have kids who do either. For example, if you tell your toddler that a time-out is the consequence for negative behavior, be sure to enforce it. Only issue warnings for things that you can follow through on. Empty threats undermine your authority.
And don’t forget that kids learn by watching adults, particularly their parents. So make sure your own behavior is role-model material. When asking your child to pick up toys, you’ll make a much stronger impression if you’ve put away your own things rather than leaving your stuff all around the room.
Eliminate Temptation
By now, you’ve figured out that your toddler wants to explore and investigate the world. Toddlers are naturally curious, so try to eliminate temptations whenever possible. That means keeping things like TVs, phones, and electronics out of reach. Also beware of choking hazards like jewelry, buttons, and small items that kids can put in their mouths.
And always keep cleaning supplies and medicines stored safely away where kids can’t get to them.
Use Distraction or Redirection
If your toddler does head toward an unacceptable or dangerous object, calmly say “No” and either remove your child from the area or the dangerous item from reach, or distract them with another activity. This is called “redirection” and can be a wonderful tool in your parenting tool kit.
It’s important to not spank, hit, or slap your child. At this age, kids are unlikely to make a connection between the behavior and physical punishment. The message you send when you spank is that it’s OK to hit someone when you’re angry. Experts say that spanking is no more effective than other forms of discipline, such as time-outs.
Practice Time-Out
If you need to take a harder line with your child, time-outs can be an effective form of discipline. Time-out is effective because it is “time out” from your positive attention. A 2- or 3-year-old who has been hitting, biting, or throwing food, for example, should be told in a calm, neutral voice why the behavior is unacceptable and taken to a designated time-out area — a kitchen chair or bottom stair — for a minute or two to calm down.
As a general rule, about 1 minute per year of age is a good guide for time-outs, and 3–5 minutes is plenty. Longer time-outs have no added benefit. And they could undermine your efforts if your child gets up (and refuses to return) before you signal that the time-out has ended. If your child gets up before the time-out ends, calmly (without talking or other attention) take your child back to the time-out chair or area.
Be sure that the time-out area is away from distractions such as toys or TV, and that you do not provide your child with any attention (talking, eye contact, looking upset) while they’re sitting in time-out. Ignore any screaming, crying, or pleading. Remember, time-out is a break from your positive attention. It is best to end the time-out when your child is sitting quietly. Just 5 seconds of quiet is enough to end the time-out after the designated time.
How to Avoid Temper Tantrums
Even the most well-behaved toddler can have a tantrum from time to time. Tantrums are common during toddlerhood because kids can understand more than they can express and this often leads to frustration.
