4 Alternative Ways to Discipline Your Toddler or Young Child

If you don’t like using time out to discipline your toddler or young child, there are other forms of discipline that may work better for you and your family or you can use a combination of discipline methods.  Remember that each child responds differently to discipline methods.  One child may respond to a variety of discipline methods, while another child in your family might only respond to one or two methods.  You have to figure out what works and what doesn’t work for each of your children.  It is important that you remain consistent with the discipline method that you choose to use on your child.

Keep in mind that you can use more than one form of discipline on your child.  In fact, the more resources and options you have, the better your chances of finding a discipline method that works for your child.  Consistent discipline will help deter your child’s unwanted behaviors.  Many parents tend to stick with one method of discipline only and it becomes very frustrating when the technique is no longer working on their child.  Do remain flexible and improve your chances of  finding a method that works for you, your child, and your family.

Disclosure: These tips are based on my own personal experience.  They may or may not work for your family.  Please consult your child’s doctor, a child psychologist, or behavioral expert for additional help.

Redirection Turns A Negative Situation into Something Positive

If your child is doing something that you don’t like, you can redirect their attention to something else.  This works great when your toddler is getting into something that he or she isn’t supposed to be getting into.  This method works by taking the negative behavior and turning it into something positive.  For example, if your child is throwing a book.  Take the book away from your child and offer them a ball instead.  The ball can be thrown (of course if you don’t allow throwing in the house then you might need to be a bit more creative) so it allows your child the opportunity to continue doing what they want to do without tearing up the books.

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