10 Effective Ways for Disciplining a Toddler

Disciplining a toddler can be tricky. It can be particularly demanding as kids at this age start exploring their independence and try to find their identity. However, they have limited ability to reason and communicate at this age. Therefore, parents are required to teach toddlers about appropriate behaviour. Disciplining a child at the right age can shape your little one’s character.

Video: How to Discipline a Toddler – 10 Easy Ways

But disciplining a toddler doesn’t mean restricting him/her to a set of rules and resorting to punishments. Parents need to realise that children are adventurous by nature and hence you should not stop them from experimenting and exploring. Discipline should be a way of instructing and training a toddler to implement good behaviour. To discipline a child, parents should try positive reinforcement when the toddler resorts to inappropriate behaviour.

For most parents, disciplining their kids is not an easy job. Of course, raising and disciplining a child is never easy, but with some efforts, you surely can succeed.

How to Discipline a Toddler – Useful Tips for Parents

Most parents keep wondering about the ways to discipline their toddlers. There is no ‘one‘ fool-proof method of disciplining a toddler as all children are different. It is desirable to try diverse disciplines tools and watch your toddler’s reaction to determine which particular method may suit your kid the best. Your toddler tantrums can get annoying if you do not handle them in time. So, here are some useful strategies to discipline your naughty little one:

1. Be consistent

As a parent, you need to be unfailing in your approach while trying to discipline your child. If your responses to a circumstance keep altering, you may end up confusing your toddler with mixed signals. Toddlers may need constant reminders and checks to break their patterns of bad behaviour and adopt improved ways of behaving. Setting a routine for your toddler will provide him/her with the necessary security to behave in a calm and proper manner. This means following a consistent schedule for mealtimes, playtime, naps, and bedtimes. Do prepare him/her in advance for any changes in routine to prevent any likely scenes or tantrums later on.

2. Identify the Triggers

Recognising the common causes or behavioural patterns of your toddler may go a long way in effectively dealing with him/her. If a toddler is hungry or sleepy, he/she will be agitated. With careful planning in advance, try to avoid all such potential triggers. For example, do not plan a trip to the market if your toddler is sleepy. One good way to discipline a child is to not provoke him/her when he/she is not in a good mood.

3. Develop a Sense of Self

Try involving your toddler in activities that you can do together like putting away his/her toys, cooking his/her meal, taking a bath, or getting dressed. This may build up a sense of importance in him/her as he/she is bound to enjoy your attention. Instead of giving your toddler directions give responsibilities. For example, ask him/her to decide whether he/she wants to wear a black or a red outfit for the birthday party. Giving choices to your toddler may convey the message that you respect his/her feelings and he/she has a say in a particular situation.

4. Consider Your Toddler’s Perspective

Kids may have difficulty expressing their displeasure in an appropriate manner. They may resort to tantrums to display their disagreement in a particular situation. For example, if you take away his/her ball saying playtime is over but he/she wants to play more and you still refuse, then he/she may show his annoyance by crying loudly. Looking at things from your toddler’s point of view may help you prevent a budding meltdown. In such a situation, understand his/her point of view and find ways in which you can keep his/her point and yours as well.

5. Try Distraction

Toddlers usually have short attention spans. You can use your toddler’s short attention span to distract him/her with some interesting activity when he/she throws tantrums. Redirecting your toddler to some productive activity may help him/her forget the tantrum.

6. Positive Reinforcement

Make it a point to appreciate the good behaviour of your toddler which may encourage him/her to repeat it. For example, praise his/her good conduct at the table or the way he/she tidied up the room. When you appreciate, he/she will be happy and understand that he/she did a good deed. This will strive him/her to do even better and improve.

7. Use Proper Language

When disapproving of your toddler’s unacceptable behaviour, do keep in mind your language and tone. Losing control and shouting at your toddler may not be a good idea. This will only aggravate his/her bad behaviour. Of course, you might be angry but take some time to calm yourself before talking to your child. The best approach can be to use a firm tone to condemn the action but not the child. If you want to discipline your child, you must keep your tone in check.

8. Express Affection

A parent’s touch meets a child needs for physical affection and stimulation and makes him/her feel secure. A nurturing touch may help fulfil your toddler’s need for physical affection and security. Parents who opt for a nurturing approach while interacting with their toddler encourage healthy attachment and good behaviour. Freely express your love by cuddling, hugging, kissing or simply holding your toddler in your arms. A nurturing touch may also promote the overall healthy physical growth and intellectual development of your toddler.

9. Ignore

Sometimes simply ignoring your toddler’s improper behaviour may help diffuse a stressful situation. Try to be patient and allow his/her bad mood to pass. He/She may eventually feel tired of yelling upon realising that he/she is not getting the attention sought. Later, he/she will realise his/her mistake and apologize to you. Sometimes, staying quiet also disciplines a child.

10. Modelling of Behaviour

Toddlers commonly copy their adults. They learn their responses to situations after seeing their parents’ reactions. For example, the way you treat other people, how you manage stress, how you cope with your negative feelings, your toddler is silently observing you and will behave the same. Be mindful of your behaviour and try and set up the right examples for your kid to copy. Becoming a constructive role model for your toddler can be the best way to discipline your child and inculcate good behaviour in him/her.

It is normal to feel stressed while trying to discipline your toddler. The initial years of a child are of extreme importance, this is the time when a child’s personality and a behavioural pattern develops. So, instil good behaviour in your little one through affirmative reinforcement and observational learning.

Also Read: Toddler Behaviour Problems and Solutions