Things You'll Need:
- A crib or a playpen
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Step 1
Give two calm but stern warnings before using the time-out. Make sure you tell your child "no" in a firm voice while making eye contact and say, "no more or time-out."
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Step 2
Pick up your child (gently) and place him or her in a crib or playpen after the two warnings have been ignored or challenged.
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Step 3
Say, "Mommy/Daddy said no," using a firm but calm tone of voice. It's important to repeat "time-out" several times so they begin to associate the warnings with the punishment.
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Step 4
Leave your child alone for a few minutes. At first, you probably don't need to stay away for more than a minute or two, but the older your child is or the more frequent the time-outs, the longer the duration should be.
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Step 5
Go back in the room, repeat the rule the child broke and say, "OK?" For example: "Mommy/daddy said no touch the outlets, OK?" Once you sense the child understands, you can pick him or her up and end the time-out.
