How can I get my toddler to understand a timeout?

Question

My 2 year old gets into everything as a normal 2 year old does. He knows when hes doing something hes not supposed to but doesn't understand when we try to make him have a timeout like sitting on his bed for a few minutes. He thinks its a game and we definitely do not try to make it one. I know he's little but he also has a bit of early ADHD and we were told to start correcting him early or else he may never understand or he will get too out of control. How can we accomplish this?

Answer 1

Find a quiet spot, make him sit until the time is up and definitely go over what the reason was for the time out and what could have been done differently. Be consistent and watch for cues to distract before the behavior becomes a problem. As for the ADHD have patience, you will be doing that for a lot until he gets the concept of rules and earned playtime.

Answer 2

Never spank. All children need consistency and a positive approach. I retrieved this off of the Supernanny site.
The Naughty mat is also ideal for younger children, from about eighteen months, who would not be safe or comfortable on the steps or a chair. You might also like the idea of being able to move the naughty spot around your home, so you can keep an eye on your child wherever you are.

How it works
When your child misbehaves explain what she’s done wrong, tell her that her behaviour is unacceptable, and warn her that if she behaves in the same way again, she’ll be put on the Naughty Mat. Make sure your voice remains calm, not angry, and use a low, authoritative tone. Are you somewhere which is particularly triggering the situation? If your child is always difficult in the supermarket or the cafe, try to get her involved more in what you're doing, and make sure you keep communicating. Or is your child tired or hungry? See if you can help resolve her frustration and move her on to another activity or use the Involvement Technique to diffuse the situation. If she misbehaves again, find a suitably quiet corner and immediately put her on the Naughty Mat. Explain clearly why she is there and how long she must stay there (one minute per year of her age). Don't feel shy if people stare - much better to calmly use the Mat than to lose your temper with her! If she comes off the Naughty Mat, put her back on using gentle but firm movements and keep putting her back onto the step until she realises that you’re committed to keeping her there for the agreed set time. Once your child has completed the agreed set time on the Naughty Mat, crouch down so you’re on the same level, use a low and authoritative tone of voice, and explain why you put her there. Ask her to apologise, and when she does, praise her warmly with a kiss and a cuddle. Say ‘thank you’, go back to what you were doing and forget about the incident. If your child refuses to apologise (or does something like shouts ‘sorry’ in a way which makes you think she probably doesn’t mean it!), continue this technique until she realises that you need a proper apology. But don’t forget the kiss and cuddle at the end!

Answer 3

The idea is that you want to stop his doing what he's currently doing and put him someplace else, preferably someplace quiet. If you tell him, you must sit on this chair for 5 minutes cause you are in timeout and keep calmly putting him back if he tries to make it into a game, he will get the idea. You need to be serious with him and dispassionate. "No, I'm sorry dear you can't get up yet - you're in timeout." Other than putting him back on the chair, you should not engage with him at all during the timeout. I found with my two that the fact that mommy was disengaged for a few minute was probably the thing that drove it home more than any other. Good luck - it will work.

Answer 4

I actually stay with my son and talk to him in my "non-nonsense" voice and explain why he's in time out. I pretty much say the same thing over and over, but you can see the wheels turning in his head. When he goes to get up, I firmly sit him back down and say something like, "No sir, you're in time out until mommy says." When he starts smiling at me and turning on the charm, I keep my poker face and he'll cut it out(which is sooo hard not to smile sometimes when he's just so darn cute!). I would also find a more boring place instead of his bed-he's comfortable there. Just put a chair in a corner somewhere and do it there. Be consistent too, he knows he's in trouble, but he's trying to charm his way out of it or make you think he's not bothered so, "don't even bother mom, I'm just going to have fun anyway!" HA! Your kiddo sounds pretty smart...you need to out-smart him! Good luck!

Answer 5

hmm.. I think you have to make it somewhat unpleasent for it to have any kind of message. Try find a quite and emptyish part of the house (Like a hallway or something) and put a chair there. Explain to him before hand that this is the "Naughty chair" and when he acts up again make him sit there. Be really serious, and walk away where he cant see you but where you are still watching. For everytime he gets up add an extra 2 mins, but stay calm the whole time. Act kind of serious and he will soon get the message.

Answer 6

Instead of the bed have him sit or stand in the corner facing the corner for 2 minutes. Timouts should only be given 1 minute per age increments. You may need to stay there with him so to help him settle down and so that he understands that this is the consequence of his actions.

Answer 7

I think you need to give him a warning first, say No don't do that and if you do you Will have a time out, the time out should be a minute per age so at 2 it would be 2 minutes.
although I am not sure if at the age two there brains are developed enough to understand consequences

I found this link I hope it helps
http://parentcenter.babycenter.com/refcap/preschooler/pbehavior/63909.html?binky=MSNFAM:EDI:ART&refid=msnfam

Answer 8

First don't put him in bed, buy a timeout chair or make him stand in a corner. When he does something wrong tell him he is going to have a timeout if he doesn't listen and start behaving.

Answer 9

i think of he's sufficiently old. no longer for a generic outing nevertheless. U cant anticipate a sixteen month old to stay able for a minute yet like quite a few different answer mentioned in case you place them in a playpen or some thing to that variety devoid of stimulation then he will study he is going in there while he's naughty

Answer 10

Try a more boring time out area. If his room is like my son's he probably likes being in time out. Pick a place that is not visually stimulating and away from any activity in the room. Good luck.