10Month Old Don't Know the Word NO

I use "You may not with everything or I give them a direction that they can follow. For example if she is running I would say You need to walk. This gives them more concrete direction and they stop doing what they were doing. I only use NO for serious stuff when it is really dangerous and I don't have enough time to talk and just need them to get away from the danger. Also redirecting as you are doing is a huge thing to continue to do at this age. It is a lot of hands on. I have found that not until they a lot older can you just say something and they listen.

At 10 months, you have only seen a tiny glimmer of how a child will test you! She is more mobile than ever, she is starting to explore her surroundings, and she's not being defiant or trying to cause trouble. This is very healthy. However, you are right about telling her "no" too many times. After saying it too many times, it will lose its meaning. At her age, it's best to tell her what you want her to do in place of doing what you want her to stop. When you tell her what you want her to do, physically take her to do it. ("Let's play with your doll!") Keep it positive and the attention on what you want her to do...not what you want her to stop doing. She's really young right now! Save the "no" (said with a very serious face) for the really serious stuff. Distraction and redirection are your most important tools right now.

I would look at how much your home is baby proofed. You need to make her environment safe and reduce how much non-toy things she can get into. If she is getting into something move her back to her toys without saying a word. Words are not always needed to redirect a child, especially one that young. No, should be used for serious and dangerous situations. At this age redirection works best. I am also not sure how much a 10 month old can test you. She is really just exploring her environment to learn. Make sure it is an environment that she can do that in without always getting in "trouble." She also doesn't see the action as being "bad." Keep plenty of age appropriate toys around and also let her explore some real items such as the Tupperware cabinet, kids love that. So for example if she tries to get into the dogs bowl redirect her to the Tupperware cabinet where she can play safely. Or if she tries to mess with the books on the shelf redirect her to her blocks. Just some examples...good luck!!!

make her environment as toddler friendly as possible. Put up gates as needed to keep her out of places she shouldn't and move things that shouldn't be touched by her. I rarely have to say no to my daycare kids cause the environment is tailored to make it safe for them.

N.

I agree that "no" too often loses its meaning. We also would give the direction we want instead of "no" as poster EF noted. Whenever possible we would also redirect and physically assist while using short phrases. (If standing on the couch "Sit. We sit on the couch")

We also used alternatives to no. Growing up and to this day my dad's favorite sing-song line for minor issues - "leave it aloooooone"

"NO" was reserved for the major concerns where we needed an immediate action/stop. Touching the stove = NO. Taking her brother's toy, "leave it alooooone!"

I highly doubt she is trying to test you, nor do I believe that a 10 month old understands the word no. With our 3 year old we have found using positive redirection and enforcement to do much better. If we say no it is only, "no no that would hurt my baby" type things. Anything she can't have shouldn't be in her reach, she doesn't know better, she is infact an infant still.

Yes, you will have to physically remove your daughter sometimes if she is in an unsafe situation. She will not start to understand reasoning until she's about four. Keep redirecting and offering alternatives instead of the easier "no".