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| Two years do misbehave. The first step in addressing this is to you the technique you are currently using - make sure there is a lot of positive attention happening. For some kids, this will be all that's necessary. However, others will need discipline for some of their misbehaviors. The problem is that two year olds respond very inconsistently to discipline. Sometimes they just laugh at the a adult. Sometimes they are upset, but the upset in no way changes their behavior for the future. Sometimes they get it. Because results are so inconsistent with this age group, I do caution people to try all other techniques first. However, in this situation, other kids are being hurt. You can set up a situation for the use of the CLeaR Method: when he pushes someone, take him back to "the scene of the crime" and tell him that we don't push other people when we're mad at them. We just say "I'm mad." Tell him to say this. When he does, use the CLeaR Method (see the book Raise Your Kids without Raising Your Voice for details or listen to the download on this site). Do this every time he does something wrong - get him to correct it and then use the CLeaR Method. However, if after 2 weeks, you don't notice improvement, then experiment with punishment. Make the punishment very intense - he hits someone, you remove him from the group and call Mom to come get him, for example. Try these interventions and see what happens! Sarah Chana
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