Those loud cries & stubbornness to get the teddy hung up right there which will be the 10th one in the toys group at home- are all scary for parents. Indeed, thinking twice before taking out the growing little one who’s just entered the toddler stage is the same for all mommas & daddies. Definitely, “Stop”, “Careful”, “Don’t eat this”, “Take your hands out”, etc. are some phrases that are there on your tongue. Touching the 1-year milestone brings a lot of work altogether for parents & then as a care provider you must’ve become even more watchful for your little chick.
A 1-year-old starts taking up efforts of cautiousness to the nerves of parents. Walking with support, putting anything in the mouth, etc. are some things that are keeping up with development. Certainly, as their guardian, you always try to control their actions to keep a check on their safety. But at times these care concerns might turn into forced/dominating parenting. So, not to unknowingly become hard parents- there are ways to discipline your tiny explorer. Hence, to transform into a better version of being good parents- here are some useful tips to look at.
What’s discipline for a one-year-old or a growing toddler?-
Every child is a whole dynamite in himself & defining restraints generically isn’t appropriate. Moreover, the parenting approach is also different from one parent to another, so the ways to discipline a toddler also vary. However, the standardized method is to not perceive your child as a city to rule but rather work together with them on things you wish in them to be refined.
- Certainly, pushing them authorization with words like “You” if shifted to the friendship of “We” is one of the significant beginning steps towards disciplining a toddler.
- Also, making them understand through their language & words is another task to accomplish for disciplining your baby. Also, doing so at an early age instills self-restraint for long, which is indeed a major bridge to discipline.
- Gentle communication is another crucial sphere to coping & not being offensive towards their actions brings out a positive attitude for teaching your toddler.
Most parents wonder when I should start teaching their child discipline. Well! The answer to this is when your baby is about to touch the 1-year-old milestone or turns about 8 to 9 months old. But what are actually the instances that contribute to the commencement of teaching discipline to kids who don’t listen?
When to start teaching discipline to a toddler?-
“Say Papa to Keep Quiet”- aww how cute! You as a parent would have also adored these little things your child does but can be a serious concern once they grow up. Indeed, those light slaps or taking away something from your hand seem to be actions to love in their series of development. But, your child isn’t a trained kid from the womb about what’s right & what’s incorrect. So, teaching them about right & wrong since the start of these growth years is necessary for making them stand apart from the crowd.
5 Effective ways to discipline a one-year-old-
- Set limitations
Setting up boundaries for their actions is the crucial step to their discipline setup. However, this doesn’t mean binding them with rules but laying out positive reinforcements to ensure they know to what extent they are supposed to perform certain actions. Certainly, the age of 8+ months fills them with exploration & curiosity which is why limiting their minds is equal to stopping them to discover new things. But, limiting them with what’s the consequences of their actions is one thing to do. For example, if they are trying to walk through support- then don’t stop them to explore the big world. Rather, make them aware about being careful, what if they fall, not losing hold of the support, etc.
2. Teaching right & wrong
They aren’t born experts! Remember what they see, hear, and observe stairs up highlights for them to grow. So, another thing in how to teach discipline to a one-year-old kid is to tell them the difference between right & wrong. For example, if they have started weaning on finger foods & are developing a habit of putting anything in their mouth- then directing them the right way is essential. Say, allow them to explore tits-bits of food you give them but knowing that everything spilled on the ground isn’t meant to be swallowed.
3. Be attentive enough to them
The biggest strain that imparts indiscipline & anger issues in kids and even in babies comes through ignoring action. We’ve seen parents say that he/she is stubborn or short-tempered like their father was as a kid. No! Habits can be changed & if they are bad they have to be. Your actions to counteract them become either gentle or aggressive. As a parent, it is your unsaid responsibility to pay attention & listen to them, even if there’s anything insignificant.
4. Giving them gentle orders
One of the necessary verticals of disciplining toddlers is communicating the habit of obedience in them. But, there’s a hairline difference in making rules & gentle orders for little ones. Indeed, your words such as “Stop”, “No”, etc. shouldn’t end the work in stubbornness. Rather, in respect, they should discontinue doing whatever they have been up to & obey you. However, it is a toddler’s fact to not limit their curious heads.
5. Impose Fines on them
How will the little life pay 100 bucks for each mistake he/she makes? – Well! We aren’t saying to actually impose fines on them. Despite, your continuous reminders for something or limitations of consequences, if they still have been repeating things- then it’s time for penalties. For example, if your toddler has a habit of putting their thumb in the mouth & regardless of all your tries- he/she is still doing it, then it’s time. Say, you can put a bandage & tell them that they’ve got their thumb an injury, or put a little black pepper, etc. But remember, punishing them often will make them stubborn so gentle charges are necessary.
Take Home A Message-
Imparting discipline in a toddler of one to two years is a task & needs lots of patience. Being kind with your words & actions is the top-priority teaching movement. Also, teaching discipline to a toddler should be gentle & it really doesn’t mean yelling, shouting, or raising a hand. In addition, charging fine in play to correct or redefine their actions might at times turn aggressive for them. So, take charge with gentleness & soft words. Always see them as the tiny version of you & remember being calm to yourself.
Happy & Mindful Nurturing!
