Toddler: Discipline and Guidelines
Discipline does not need to have a negative connotation. It should not be a word
that is interchanged with punishment. Discipline for your baby and toddler is all
about setting clear, positive guidelines for them to live by and teaching them about
which behaviour is acceptable and behaviour that is not. It is not considered a
good practice to use physical punishment as a method of disciplining a toddler.
Effective communication is a much better strategy and will help to develop the self
esteem of your toddler.
Here are a couple of key points to remember:
- Make sure that you and your partner have discussed your method. It’s important
to show a unified front.
- Your child will need to learn what their boundaries are. Give them a chance to
find them and don’t expect too much of them for their age.
- Explain what you expect of them and be prepared to remind them. For example, when
you arrive at playgroup each week, remind your toddler that “we don’t push or hit
our friends at play group”.
- Be prepared to compromise at suitable times to show that you have a respect for
your toddlers point of view.
- Pick your battles – this means choose the things in life that are really important
to you and make your stand on those.
- Once you say you are going to do something as a form of discipline then you must
follow through. For example, if your toddler has behaved inappropriately at the
park and you have told them that you will take them home if they do it again, you
must be prepared to leave the park just as you have said.
- Be consistent with the rules. A toddler needs to know where they stand to make
sense of a situation.
- Even from a young age you can involve your toddler in learning about the consequences
of their actions. For example, if they tip their blocks on the floor then they must
help to pack them away.
- Most importantly, positive reinforcement for ‘good’ behaviour is a much better
learning tool than negative words. So pour on the praise, it has an incredible affect.
If you feel you are struggling with setting clear boundaries for your toddler, talk
to your local health nurse for some support and guidance.
|
