Toddler Discipline: An Overview

Toddler discipline isn't about punishment or reprimands but is knowing how to react to your toddler's less desirable behaviours, or apparent mischievousness! The world "discipline" comes from the Latin word meaning "to teach" and when you're feeling frustrated with the latest mishap then this nugget might help you see things in a more positive light!

For lots practical ideas to make dealing with challenging toddler behaviour and toddler discipline more manageable see:

One way to start to handle toddler discipline differently is to simply change the way you think about it. Change the wording to toddler teaching and toddler learning. Immediately the tone of what you can do changes from being negative to being positive and encouraging -this may take some getting used to but start today. Is your toddler doing something you don't want him to do? Then it's time for you to show him an alternative.

One basic key to toddler discipline is to spend more positive time with your toddler. So that's playing with them more and praising your toddler at every opportunity. Play is very powerful as it establishes a close bond with the child and parent, is a way of teaching and understanding sharing, develops your toddler's imagination and cognitive development and encourages them to develop as an individual.

Sometimes it's difficult for "grown-ups" to play, perhaps you feel a bit silly, but try it, do it and let yourself go and have fun with your toddler. If you're not sure about how you could play then have a look at Toddler Activities for some ideas.

It might be helpful to remember that toddlers don't tend to be "naughty" for the sake of it. Toddlers are usually exploring their world and testing out boundaries as well as sometimes using their behaviour to gain attention. Toddlers are also in the vulnerable position of wanting to explore on their own but also wanting the safety of their parents. Disciplining a toddler is about showing your toddler about what is acceptable. This takes a fair degree of patience and perseverance on the parents part!

Why teaching toddlers about behaviour is important

It may be a case of teaching your toddler what is dangerous, such as turning the knobs on a cooker, or turning the electrics on and off. Or it could be about teaching your toddler about how other people feel and to know what is acceptable in the social circumstances around them. An unruly toddler growing into an unruly child will have difficulities with their peers and schooling. Teaching your toddler gently and over time about acceptable behaviour will help him to grow into a confident individual who can get along with other people.

Toddlers have a short memory and you will need to repeat the same reasonings and warnings to your toddler. They will not always understand what is safe and what is not and therefore it is up to you as a parent to keep them safe.

Toddlers Explore

Toddlers love to explore and experiment with cause and effect e.g. what happens when I drop this? What happens when I turn my cup upside down? What will happen if I......? Parenting a toddler is easier if you accept that your toddler exploring things is part of his development.

Empathise with your toddler

Empathy will help you deal with each situation. When your toddler takes all the books out of the bookcase they're exploring because they can because they are mobile and have new found freedom! Yippee! they must be thinking! To help you in your parenting and to keep your toddler safe, remove any breakables or valuables and put them out of reach.

Acknowledge difficulties

Teaching toddlers can be challenging for a number of reasons. For example:

• Time: you have plenty to do in your day already what with the laundry, the house, shopping, work. You do, it's true and it's helpful to acknowledge this. At the same time think about the time invested in your toddler and how it will reap rewards for your toddler, you and the whole family. Always seek help when you need to and reallocate chores where you can.
• Overload: you've taught your toddler the same thing over and over again and he's' still doing something he's not allowed to do. Stay positive. Go out, do something new to refresh yourself and your toddler. Schedule in some me-time in the diary that remains a priority and doesn't get changed!
• Less Adult Time: when babies develop into toddler you lose some adult time. So try to corner off some adult time to have adult conversations, adult relationships and time to be yourself without having to parent at the same time. Having adult time will help you balance your life and help you keep on top of things.

No parent is Superparent however hard we try and dealing with toddler discipline can be very challenging at times. Stay positive, stay calm and hopefully you'll be able to take away some hints from our pages. And if you have more hints to give we'd love to hear them so that we can share them with parents worldwide!