|
Time-out procedures change slightly as grandchildren age. The most important thing is that all caregivers follow the same timeout procedures in order for the time-out technique to be consistent.
|
Grandchildren's Age Is a Factor. Time-outs work very well with grandchildren beginning at about age two. However, they are done slightly different for toddlers than for preschoolers, and differently still for school-age children. Time-out procedures should be followed by all caretakers. That adds consistency to the discipline procedure. There is probably nothing more important than consistency when expecting a discipline technique to work for your grandchild. Toddlers For toddlers, explaining briefly and distracting them to other activities can be your first discipline approach. However, temper tantrums and angry crying to get one's way can be timed out in a crib, bed or gated room. Continued time-out (one minute per age of grandchild) after the child has quieted down is usually enough to teach the grandchild that her/his unacceptable behaviors will not be accepted. Sometimes toddlers fall asleep when they've been timed out. Let them nap. Their unacceptable behavior may have been caused by exhaustion. Pre-School Grandchildren Start with a time-out warning. If the disruptive behavior does not stop, ask
the grandchild to go to his/her timeout spot unescorted. |
|
