English author Quentin Crisp said, "The young always have the same problem---how to rebel and conform at the same time. They have now solved this by defying their parents and copying one another." It is a child's job to feel out their boundaries, and a parent's job to show them what they are. Employing the right discipline strategy can teach your child what their limits are while encouraging healthy exploration and self-esteem.
Divert and Redirect
Babies are busy exploring the world around them, particularly once they become mobile. Parents should do what they can to keep their baby's surroundings safe and free from objects that may be harmful to the baby. Since parents cannot completely empty their home, it is inevitable that the baby will eventually come across things that he should not be touching. When this happens, the best tactic is for the parents to give the baby a firm "No," and then redirect his attention to an appropriate activity or remove him from the area.
Deal with temper tantrums in the same manner in younger children. When you see your child start to get himself worked up, try to divert his attention to more positive activities. Avoid rewarding his behavior with attention, even negative attention, and simply ignore him if you cannot distract or redirect his energy.
Time Out
Time outs are an especially effective form of discipline for toddlers and children up to roughly 3 years old, according to Connecticut's Department of Children and Families. In order for this discipline strategy to work, a parent must use the right time-out technique and be impeccable with consistency and follow-through. When a toddler misbehaves, the adult should get down to the child's eye level and tell the child in a firm tone the behavior that was unacceptable.
Place the child in a designated time-out zone, like a bottom stair, kitchen chair or mat placed on the floor. Leave the child there for one minute per year of age and no longer. If the child leaves the time-out zone, bring them back until they have completed the stated time.
Loss of Privileges and Penalties
As children get beyond the toddler stage, it is important that they learn that the choices that they make come with consequences. Depending on the infraction, parents may choose to impose a penalty or temporary loss of some privileges on the child. These consequences may include grounding, temporary loss of privileges or penalties. Consistency and follow through are key with this form of discipline and will have the most impact on the success or failure of the lesson you are trying to teach the child.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services cautions that the consequences should be logical, natural and not too harsh for the infraction. A child who continues to ride his bike without a safety helmet despite your warnings may lose bike privileges for a short time. If he plays with his brother's toys despite a warning and breaks one of them, it is appropriate that he does chores to earn the money to replace the toy. A teenager that breaks curfew should find herself grounded the following weekend.
