by Janeen Elite

Created on: May 21, 2009

How to Use the Time Out Method Effectively When Disciplining Your Child.

Using The Time Out Method when your child misbehaves can work wonderfully if you are consistent with how and when you use it.

Designate a consistent spot for that purpose.

Make sure it is a spot where you can keep your eye on your child, but also where they will be unable to watch television or entertain themselves in any way. This can be a chair in a corner that faces out, or maybe the bottom step of a staircase. You can use a child's bed in their bedroom as long as you are sure that they don't have anything to do in there while they are being punished.

The point of time out is to remove the child from the situation for a long enough period for them to calm down and give them a chance to reflect on what they did and why is was wrong.

Give them only one warning before placing them in Time Out.

Tell them that if they do not stop what they are doing, that they are going to go in the Time Out chair. It is important that you only give the warning once before taking action. This way, in the future, they will know that you mean business. Otherwise you will find yourself threatening them 4 or 5 times and they will pay little or no heed.

If they repeat the bad behavior after the warning, direct them to their Time Out place.

Tell them (without yelling) exactly why you are putting them in Time Out. For example I told you that if you hit your sister again, you will be going in the Time Out chair and you did not listen and you hit her again. So now you have to sit in the Time Out chair for ___ minutes and wait until I come and get you.

Keep them in the chair for one minute per year of age.

This might vary slightly however if your child is very young. Two minutes for a two year old is a very long time, so you might want to cut down their time to a minute. Each child and situation varies so use your own discretion. Whichever way you decide to do it however, you need to remain consistent.

Set a timer.

Set a timer for as many minutes as their punishment will be, but do not let them up until you have had a chance to talk to them again. In other words, tell them no popping up and running from the chair the second the timer goes off. Tell them they must wait for you to come and get them. (Be sure you do not leave the room and forget about them for even as long as 20 seconds however.) You must remain consistent in all matters when it comes to

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