At what age is discipline appropriate?

Question

I always thought that children under 2 wouldn't understand discipline, therefore shouldn't be disciplined. What do you think?
(Discipline= training that develops self-control, character or orderliness/efficiency)

Someone-no names- thinks I need to begin "disciplining" when my (now 12 week old) is 6 months old. I think they...I'm a Christian and can't say what I think of her...

but at 6 mo? what can a baby do? When they're begining to be mobile, it's my job to keep the place safe for them, not for them to stay away from harm, so I still don't understand how/when do discipline....

Answer 1

Children under 2 can understand "no" or even a change of facial expression or voice. That is not to say that they will obey or that they have the ability to remember from one minute to the next what is allowed and what isn't.

The best way to discipline for a baby/toddler is prevention, like you mentioned, and distraction. In other words, give them a simple "no, that's dangerous" or something similar, then get them involved in something else. Prevent what you can up front. Disciplining a child just means you are helping them understand the expectations of the world around them and what is safe and what is not. Teaching them.

Good luck it sounds like you are already a great mom. Don't let others' opinions wear on you, and depend on your own instincts in the end.

Answer 2

It's all discipline: redirecting a crawling infant is appropriate for that age. My four children, ages 11-2 yrs, were helping to pick up toys, etc. by 14 months. It wasn't made a chore but rather a game with fun clean up songs, etc. My youngest turned 2 in June and we are now using more discipline with her in terms of behavior: going into her crib during tantrums, a tap on the bottom and stern word when she gets into something she shouldn't be into, not allowing her to say "NO" when we ask her to do or stop doing something. She's expected to apologize when she does wrong by a friend or sibling, whether it's biting or taking away a toy. We guide her through these things so that over time they'll become habits for her. My three older children (5,7 and 11) have more standard discipline like restriction of privileges and possessions. I guess, we started more around age 3 or 4 with those types of discipline.

Answer 3

Discipline is good at any age. Even 40, 50 ...etc. Children under two cant really be spanked. If they do something wrong with their hands, slap them lightly and say no sternly. If they do something wrong with their mouth( such as bitting or backtalking), dab your finger in apple cider vinegar and put it on their tongue. It does not hurt them. It just tastes bad and they dont like it. Infants can be disciplined in a different way. When a baby need to go to sleephave a sign so they know its comming. Place a cold pacifier in their mouth right before bed. This way they know that cold paci means sleep. Some people look at discipline and they imediatly think a whoppen. But discipline just like you said is more about character development. Remember when you raise a child you are raising a parent for you grandchildren.

Answer 4

First, realize that discipline comes from the root word that means 'to teach'. Researchers have proved that babies can be taught while still in the womb. Don't underestimate your little miracle!! Also, don't confuse punishment with discipline. Sometimes discipline takes the form of punishment, but they are not the same.

Daily you are teaching your child something. A lot of times, all it takes is a tone of voice that stresses disapproval when they are really young and do something wrong. Distraction also works. However, remember that being a parent takes a lot of work! So expect having to use lots of repetition. They have a short memory span so you are going to have to say things over and over. I have three sons, 14,8, and almost 2. I am always complimented on how well behaved my children are. Being consistent is the a huge key. Say what you mean and mean what you say.

Answer 5

Children need to be disciplined when they do something wrong. My son who will be 1 year next month has been disciplined since he was 6 months old. If he pulled my hair I told him no and removed his hand. My son knows what the word no means because I introduced it at an early age.

Answer 6

What do you describe as discipline?
If discipline means to have a routine, then yes, you should start with a routine from now.

Now depends on the age the routine will change. A routine for a 12 week baby will be, wake up, feed him, change his diaper, play with him, and then after 2 hours or if he is hungry before, then fedd him, change his diaper and go to sleep. and so on.

Now SPANKING is not a good thing for any person no matter the age.

Answer 7

I have a 15 mo old baby and I think we should definitely try to establish some kind of discipline...I think the younger they are the better they learn and they should be taught this from the day they start gaining consciousness - to differentiate what is wrong and what is right...with simple words like yes and no, or encouraging words like hooray when they do something right for ex...

Answer 8

I am a nanny and have worked for the same family for over 2 years. I believe that positive reinforcement is good under age 2. I think once a child is old enough to understand what is acceptable and not acceptable behavior they are old enough to be disciplined and/or punished.

Answer 9

They understand discipline. For example (repeating from parent's stories), when I was 2 area, I discovered that the countertops usually had food on them. I found I could reach up onto the counter tops and get food. So I started doing this, not being able to see what was up there because of being a short little 2 year old. To stop me from it, my parents turned on the oven burner real low, just enough to feel heat. I did the countertop search like I always did, until I got to the oven. I cried because it hurt, but no real damage done, and I stopped reaching on to the counter.

Answer 10

Discipline shopuld be instilled starting from the moment the child begins misbehaving, whether the child realized it or not.
If they do something that could lead to them being injured, you grab them, give them a stern "no" and move them.
They are not going to get it for a while; however, they will begin the process, and they will begin to understand that what you say is the absolute way it has to be.
The older they get, and the more they begin to understand, they will begin to test... that is when the more active disciplpine begins.