It seemed as if I couldn’t make him happy for more than a few minutes at a time. When he is feeling normal, he will often play by himself for a few minutes or even watch TV. But today was far from a normal day, he started throwing temper tantrums instead of playing with his toys.
When he throws a temper tantrum, we normally send him to time out for a few minutes until he stops crying or throwing his fit. Most of the time sending him to time out gets his attention and he will stop throwing his fit. Using time out is a great way to modify your child’s behavior and allow them to think about what they are doing wrong. However, it is important that you don’t make them sit in time out way too long. I have always used what experts believe is a considerable amount of time for a young child to sit in time out.
Ways To Make Time Out Effective Tool for Discipline
Time out is an effective tool that parents can use to modify their child’s unwanted behaviors. It is important that you make a designated spot for time out so that you can make it uncomfortable for them in order to deter them from getting sent to timeout for their unwanted behaviors. Time out can be frustrating to parents, especially, when you are first implementing its use. Some children will get up or slide out of their chair several times before they decide to sit still. If your child gets out of time out, make sure that you put them back immediately.
Tips to Make Time Out An Effective Way to Modify Your Child’s Behavior
- Time out should be in a chair or a certain spot in your house so that when you tell your child to go to time out, they will automatically know where to go.
- The amount of time a child should spend in time out should be equal or less than their age. Spending too much time in time out can have negative consequences.
- After their time is up, get down on their level and remind them that the behavior that they were doing is unacceptable. Have them apologize if necessary.
- A child doesn’t have to remain quiet during the entire time that they are in time out but you want them to be quiet and to quit throwing their fit before their time is up.
- Use time out to target unwanted behaviors.
- Do offer positive reinforcement for good behavior.
- Your child’s time out location should be in a place that has limited distractions so that they can remain seated and able to still for their allocated amount of time.
- If they do get up, place them back into time out without making any eye contact. Also, reset their time.
- Consistency is key for time out to become an effective tool.
- Time out is an effective way to discipline a toddler or young child.
- To get weekly updates to Uplifting Families, please subscribe to my newsletter or join in the conversation with me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and G+.
Do You Use Time Out to Modify Your Child’s Unwanted Behaviors?