Discipline tips??

[jazmic]

Hello everyone!

Just wondering if anyone has any ideas on how to discipline a 15 month old? Or do you even try?

[Play and Learn]

I have a 1, 2, 3 and you're in time out. It seems to work with my toddlers. You just say:

1 J, please pick up the toys. 2 J, do you need help with picking up the toys? 3. Ok, let's pick up the toys, and then you go in time out.

If you nip it in the bud right away, they'll get the point.

For example if they hit or bit a child, I would attend to the 'victim', and then be stern and put the child that bit/hit in time out. Not long, but long enough to get the point. Give them a stern, disappointed look (that usually kills them!). Once they're 'done' in time-out, explain to the child what they did wrong, and what to do the next time.

Hopefully that helps!

[playfelt]

For things like biting, hitting, throwing toys or tantrums they are put immediately in the playpen at the end of the playroom (set up just for this purpose) with a stern we do not XXXXXX. I then attend to the others wronged in the confrontation. When all seems to be better for them I return to the offender and pick them up so they are right at my face level and sternly remind them again that we do not XXXX our friends. Then put them down to go play.

For play infractions like not sharing, grabbing, pushing because of a toy etc. I just intervene, repeat the expected behaviour and either redirect both away from the particular toy, move one to another area or back to the area they were in or whatever just seems right given the situation. It is quick but stern and over as in not a long drawn out explanation or event. The older they get the more is done verbally and involving both in helping to solve the situation but not at 15 months. Lack of language causes so much of the trauma at this age that I do my best to minimize situations even arising for those that can't support themselves verbally and might resort to other methods to get their point across.

[mom-in-alberta]

Yup, I do EXACTLY what playfelt described!

[jazmic]

Thanks you guys. My son is the one that's driving me crazy! DCK are all sweet and listen very well but my little guy... it's the constantly getting into things that's bugging me. His latest obsession is pulling up the vent covers from the floor. I scold him but as soon as I turn around he's going for it again!!! He may be only 15 months, but I KNOW he understand me when I say no. I like the idea of sticking him in a bare playpen with no toys. Thank playfelt!

[playfelt]

The floor grates was a big one here. The three year old boys still lay on their tummies and stare down them hoping to see the spider we saw crawl in there several months ago and has never been seen again.

Sad to say but the only reason my 18 month old stopped doing this was that she got her finger stuck in the grate and cut it - just a nik like a paper cut so it I'm sure it hurt a lot. She was not inmpressed. After that my verbal warnings had her thinking twice most of the time and while she would go and look down she rarely poked into them after that.

Putting one of the highchairs over it to make it less accessible helped a bit in the sense that it wasn't easy to get in there to play.

IF it was my own they would be getting a tap on the hands along with the stern we don't do that and especially after hours. If you find it is only being done during daycare then it is being done for your attention so you may have to keep him closer if you are going to be busy doing something.

[jazmic]

He does it all the time. And I wish there was only the one vent cos I could cover it up like you suggested. But it's all the vents all over the house. Fun times. Not! But thanks for the tips. I'm certainly going to use them. Play and Learn, I also like your tip about the 1,2,3 thing. My 2.5yr old will not pick up toys and I'm constantly repeating myself. I'm going to use that instead!

[clep]

I would shadow him and spend my time interacting with him so he does not have the opportunity to do such things.

Also I do not believe in children sharing until they get to be about 4. Sharing requires skills in the areas of boundaries that need to be developed over a period of a couple of years starting at about 2 in my opinion. Many adults cannot share successfully, how can one expect a small child to. We take turns in my home and a timer is used quite often.

I only use "baby jail" if required for safety purposes. I do not use it any other time for any other reason. I also do not count. Children are taught that they are not required to listen until just before the last number leaves an adults lips. It is never a pleasant day when the child catches on and says "2" right after the adult says "1". I have seen that many times.

[jazmic]

Hi Clep, shadowing him is nice in theory. But with 4 kids under the age of 4 year, no way can I do that! LOL.

[Dreamalittledream]

I have a 1, 2, 3 and you're in time out

. Me too! Magic 1,2,3 it's called...still use it with my 7 year old...and sometimes my husband (lol!). I've found that with my 2 year old I have to put him in a booster seat & 'lock him in' with the tray, then I set the timer. Otherwise he just will not stay on time out....it becomes a game of him getting up, me placing him back down.