Hello! My oldest son just turned 2 about 2 weeks ago. I am wondering when is a good time to start time outs? I have a special "time out stool" and have attempted to use it a couple of times. My son does not seem to care or have any idea as to what is happening or why... is it too early to start? And if so, then how will I know when is the right time? What worked or didn't work for you? If any of you have any experience with this, I would appreciate any advice that would be beneficial to my specific situation. Thank you so much for your time! :)
Thank you for all of your advice - it was definitely appreciated! Time outs were not working - they had absolutely no effect on my son... until just recently, he is now about 27 months old and we have been using it consistantly for the past two weeks or so. He is more affected by it now because it interrupts whatever he wants to be doing at the time. We do not however use the "time out stool" because all he did was play with it during his time outs. We now just have him sit on the floor (in the same spot every time) which I believe will be beneficial should we ever need to use a time out when we are not at home. We give him two minutes on a timer (per his age) and we don't talk to or look at him so as not to make it a time of "getting attention." Every time he gets up, we sit him right back down. He seems to have caught on pretty quickly because most of the time if we warn him with a time out, that stops him right in his tracks! Yeah!
My daughter works in a Day Care and I watch her son and we were having same issues with him. She suggested that we put with a timer by him. Were he can see it and than he realizes that his time out well end soon. You have to reset it if he continues to act out which he sees that his behavior is the reason for the longer time out. It all beginings with quality behavior on the childs part. Reinforcement is the key.
Good Luck
L. L
Hi K.,
I would start using time outs now. You may have to keep putting him back on the stool at first. I do their age as a time. Two minutes since he is two. At two he understands when he is doing something wrong and he will understand the consequences although it may take a couple of time-outs. Keep at it and it will work.
Chris
If he doesn't understand it's probalby not going to work.
Try redirecting the misbehavior. Take him to another room get him interested in doing something else. That way you are engaging him in play and helping him learn about his world...rewarding his curiosity instead of punishing it.
I use timeouts with my 19 month old and it works, I started it with her when she was about 16-17 months old. It took a couple of times for her to figure out what it was all about, but she understands now. You need to explain to him why he is in time out and leave him there for 2 min. If he gets up before you get him, put him back and the time starts all over again. Eventually he will understand the concept.
a 2 years old understand more than you imagine, just keep putting him back at the stool. First couple times if he gets out put him back and say "Time out for two minutes". After that, if he still gets out, put him back without saying anything. You can also use a timer, and the timer starts when he stays at the stool for two minutes.Make sure you are consistent.
Time out for a two year old is fine. My daughter's daycare begins using time outs for children when they move into the Toddler Room at 18 months. I didn't want to start my child too early on time outs and once I just asked her (when she was misbehaving) "Do you want a time out?" and she immediately straightened up (it didn't stay that way for long though, but it works sometimes). I didn't even know that she knew what one was at that point. I always talk to her after the time out and explain the correct thing to do and let her know that mommy and daddy still love her even though she got in trouble. Just begin when you feel it's the right time ~ hopefully things will work themselves out! God bless.
I started time out with my son when he turned two as well. It takes a few times for them to understand it, but they learn quickly. My son is now 2 and a half and tries to give his father "two minutes" when he does something he is not supposed to do. The usual rule is to give them one minute for every year of age. When you start out with the new rules you want to give them a warning. "If you touch the computer one more time you are going in time out" And then ALWAYS follow through. When you sit him down for time out, always say, " you have two minutes time out for ......" And make them stay there and set the timer. If he gets up, you set him right back down. If he tries to talk or cry, you ignore him, and don't let others go near him or talk to him when in time out. When the timer goes off, ask if he knows why he was in time out, and explain in simple terms. Ask for an apology, if necessary and follow up with a hug and "now go play" or whatever he was doing before the incident. This works like a charm and you will notice a difference soon. The trick is to always follow through so he knows you mean what you say, and to explain, so he knows what he did is unexceptable. I hope this helps! H.
my daughter is 2 1/2 and when she throws tantrums I just put her in her room for 2 min. I also explain to her that this is her time out and she will stay in there for two minutes and when she comes out I talk to her so she dosen't feel upset or embarrassed like little girls can but knows that her behavior was inappropriate and will not be tolerated. it seems to work great because when I have to actually do it she comes out a different kid! so if no luck with the stool then that's always an alternative option. good luck !
Hi K.! I started my son w/time outs at two. What I found that works best, is 1) having a designating spot (your stool is perfect) and 2) set a timer. Experts will tell you that the # of minutes should be their age, so your two yr old will sit for 2 minutes. Eventually, I up-ed the time to 3 minutes, that seemed more effective. I highly suggest the timer, b/c that way the child knows they aren't sitting there "forever" and when it beeps, he can get up. Good luck!
I also started my daughter at about 16 months. It took a little bit to get her to stay there and she still tries to get out of it on occasion. When I see behavior I don't approve of, I go to my daughter, get on her level and say "Don't take toys from your friends (for example) that's not nice." Then I redirect her attention. If she does it again, ( and she will very soon) I walk over pick her up (without saying much) take her to a wall, and sit her down with her back to a wall and tell her in short sentences what she did wrong and that she is now in time out". I know that I am being detailed but I jsut spent a week-end with people you would yell at their kids across the room and then not pay attention until someone was screaming. Please don't do this and don't threaten. Just do what needs done and the kids will respond so well you will be amazed. I don't have a specific place for time out. Which is great for me because I can go to playgroup or the park and any wall will work and even just put her in the middle of a grassy area the other day, and it worked great. Good luck.
I started time out for my son at about 20 months and it seems to work great! I also do one min per year of age.(so two min for two years old) Keep reinforcing the time out and he will begin to realize there are consequences for his actions. Also there is a book called 1-2-3 that I found to be helpful. Good Luck!
