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TOO CUTE TO DISCIPLINE
Warning!
Toddlers are a very cute bunch! They have big eyes, soft hair, pink cheeks - they\'re just adorable! Because they are so cute, parents can have a very hard time disciplining them. A toddler may be wild, rude, destructive - but oh so cute at the same time - that Mom or Dad just burts into laughter at the youngster\'s antics instead of doing what they need to do. Parents can accidentally encourage terrible behavior in their small children by actually smiling or laughing at unacceptable behavior. Because the child is so small, they don\'t want to take the behavior seriously. Unfortunately, this can lead to serious difficulties in the future. The child\'s neural pathways are being programmed now by his own actions. When he repeats a behavior over and over, it becomes \"part of him.\" If you see a behavior that won\'t be cute in a few more years DO NOT REINFORCE IT by giving it positive attention! For instance, while a toddler may be hysterical when he\'s kicking a grown man in the shin, this will be very un-funny when the child is 5 or older. Don\'t let him get away with it now, at age 2 or 3, just because it is harmless. It is inappropriate and shouldn\'t be \"practiced\" over and over.
Be Firm
Resist the urge to laugh or otherwise give positive attention to negative behavior! Instead, lower your voice, avoid eye contact and use 5 words or less to quickly and quietly correct unacceptable behavior. Then quickly re-direct the toddler to an appropriate activity and give lots of loud, warm, positive attention to the new behavior. Be firm and consistent when a toddler behaves inappropriately. Soon he or she will understand what is wanted and learn to cooperate. Then your toddler will be really cute - because there\'s nothing cuter than an adorable toddler who is well-behaved!
Toddlers are a very cute bunch! They have big eyes, soft hair, pink cheeks - they\'re just adorable! Because they are so cute, parents can have a very hard time disciplining them. A toddler may be wild, rude, destructive - but oh so cute at the same time - that Mom or Dad just burts into laughter at the youngster\'s antics instead of doing what they need to do. Parents can accidentally encourage terrible behavior in their small children by actually smiling or laughing at unacceptable behavior. Because the child is so small, they don\'t want to take the behavior seriously. Unfortunately, this can lead to serious difficulties in the future. The child\'s neural pathways are being programmed now by his own actions. When he repeats a behavior over and over, it becomes \"part of him.\" If you see a behavior that won\'t be cute in a few more years DO NOT REINFORCE IT by giving it positive attention! For instance, while a toddler may be hysterical when he\'s kicking a grown man in the shin, this will be very un-funny when the child is 5 or older. Don\'t let him get away with it now, at age 2 or 3, just because it is harmless. It is inappropriate and shouldn\'t be \"practiced\" over and over.
Be Firm
Resist the urge to laugh or otherwise give positive attention to negative behavior! Instead, lower your voice, avoid eye contact and use 5 words or less to quickly and quietly correct unacceptable behavior. Then quickly re-direct the toddler to an appropriate activity and give lots of loud, warm, positive attention to the new behavior. Be firm and consistent when a toddler behaves inappropriately. Soon he or she will understand what is wanted and learn to cooperate. Then your toddler will be really cute - because there\'s nothing cuter than an adorable toddler who is well-behaved!