How to Give a Child a Timeout
Time out is a very effective discipline technique, if done in the right way. Just follow these simple steps to do it properly.
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Instructions
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How to Give a Child a Timeout
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When a child has done something that you feel warrants a timeout, you first need to bend down to their level and make contact with them. Then explain to them why you are putting them in timeout by saying, "Because you did __________ you are now going to sit here for ___ minutes."
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Give them 1 minute of time for each year of their age. So a 4-year old would receive four minutes of timeout time.
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Do not start the time for your child until they he is sitting quietly in the spot that you have picked for him. Make sure that you have chosen a place that is safe for your children. If your child gets frustrated and kicks or bangs his head, you will want to make sure that his timeout location is safe so he cannot get hurt.
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If your child keeps getting out of your timeout spot ,then you need to put him back without saying anything to him, other than reminding him that his time does not start until he is being quiet.
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Make sure that there is a digital timer or even an hourglass timer that measures the correct amount of time for their age. This will help children know how much time they have remaining in their punishment. It will also keep you from accidentally getting sidetracked and making them serve more time than what they are due.
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When the timer goes off, go over to the child and again get down to their level and make eye contact. Ask the child if he understands why he was in timeout. If he can understand that what he did was wrong and make the appropriate apologies, than you should let him do so and get up. The most important thing though is to hug your child following a timeout and remind him that you love him very much--you do not like the bad behavior but you do love your child.
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