How Do You Teach Discipline To Toddlers?
Parents often interchange the words “discipline” and “punishment,” when in reality, the concepts are very different. Discipline is teaching your child the boundaries within which he needs to live safely and respectfully, while punishment is an immediate negative reaction to inappropriate behavior. Discipline should begin early and the toddler years are the most formative yet difficult stage to implement it successfully. There are ways however to make your job easier. Lead by example. This age is not too early to begin open dialog with your toddler and explaining what’s expected of him helps you to set limits. Model the behavior you wish your child to exhibit and clarify why certain behaviors are unacceptable. Stand firm. The toddler years, sometimes called the “terrible twos,” are notorious for temper tantrums that can start as early as 18 months. The key here is to never give in to a temper tantrum, as that will only reinforce in your child’s mind that this is the way to get what she
