http://umibrahim.tripod.com/id13.htmlThere’s a new show on ABC Channel 5 that comes on Monday nights at 10PM for ½ hour. I have seen 2 episodes so far and this is what I have learned: 1. Discipline When your child does something unacceptable:· Go down to their level· Make eye contact· Tell them they did something unacceptable· Warn them that if they do that again they will go to the Naughty Chair· If the bad behavior is repeated, take the child and sit him in the Naughty Chair· Explain why they are sitting there and to stay there until you come and get him· The length of the time-out is determined by their age: 1 minute X their age. A timer would be useful here and a visual indication for the child to watch the time go by.· At the end of the time-out, the child must apologize.· For an older child, they can go to a “Naughty Room” that is not their bedroom and does not have a TV or other activities; it has to be a boring place.· For a younger child, the time-out should take place in a “Naughty Chair” that is placed close-by the main play area, but again not in a bedroom or eating place. The first step of the stairs, if you have stairs, is a good place for a toddler.· Either way, you cannot associate a time-out with a place where they sleep or eat or play, or else they will refuse to sleep, eat, or play there.2. Meal time· If a child is still sitting in a high chair away from the table, he should be moved to the main table so he can feel he is a part of the family, he can be seen easily by all – instead of mom having to turn to see the child. This will minimize the bad-behavior at the table. A booster seat placed on a chair is good. Or just push the highchair up to the table, removing the tray, and then the child can use the table to eat off of like the rest.3. Nap time· Nap time should be scheduled at a certain time each day and must end by 3pm so that the child will be able to sleep at bedtime.· Kids resist nap time because they want to keep playing. A nap time routine will help transition the child from play time to nap time.4. Clingy/Whiny Child The clingy or whiny child uses clinginess, whining, and other bad behaviors to get attention and get what they want. To break this cycle, you have to teach them that these things will not get them what they want.· Go down to their level· Make eye contact· Keep a small distance· Explain to them that you will listen to them when they stop clinging/whining/crying/screaming· When they calm down, give them a hug and then ask them what they want and do it for them. If it’s something you don’t approve of, distract them with something else.· Remove them from the situation and use distraction5. Bed time· Make a set time for bed time· Develop a bedtime routine: bath, brush teeth, read a book.· Place in their bed, kiss goodnight· Phase I:o Sit on the floor next to their bed.o If they get out of bed, place them back in bedo Do not talk at any time, keep silent at all timeso No eye contact at any time· Phase II:o Sit in a nearby roomo If they get out of bed, place them back in bed and go back out without talking or looking at himWarning: As I saw in the episodes, the first few times you use these strategies it may take 30 min to an hour for it to work, during which you have to repeat the steps many many times. You may need someone to be with you to support you so it may be best to start on a weekend. Disclaimer: I do not endorse all these methods, but i wanted to just let you know about them, so you know what's out there. I do endorse the Naughty Chair method - it is just a smarter way to do Time-outs. I tried it and it works so i would recommend this to you.
