50+ Discipline Tips For 18-24 Month Toddlers
Ah, toddlers—those adorable little beings that can go from angelic to anarchic in less than five seconds flat.
If you’re the proud parent of an 18 to 24-month-old, you’re well aware that your sweet baby’s developing personality comes with… let’s call them “quirks.”
Yes, that’s a diplomatic way to refer to the food-throwing, tantrum-having, boundary-testing phases. So, how do we navigate toddler behavior management without losing our minds (or sense of humor)?
This post may contain affiliate links. Full privacy policy and disclosure here.
50+ Discipline Strategies For Toddlers
- Positive Reinforcement: Praise good behavior more often than you discipline bad behavior.
- Redirection: Gently divert your child’s attention to a different, more appropriate activity.
- Time-In: Instead of time-out, spend quality time together to calm down.
- Consistency: Maintain consistent rules and routines.
- Choice Giving: Offer two acceptable choices to give a sense of control.
- Natural Consequences: Let your child experience the natural results of their actions.
- Model Behavior: Demonstrate the behavior you want to see.
- Simple Language: Use clear and simple words to explain rules.
- Avoid Overstimulation: Keep environments calm and not too busy.
- Routine Establishment: Stick to a regular schedule.
- Emotion Labeling: Help your child understand and label their feelings.
- Ignore Minor Misbehavior: Sometimes, ignoring small issues is more effective.
- Physical Exercise: Ensure they get plenty of physical activity.
- Quiet Corner: Have a peaceful area for them to calm down, not as a punishment.
- One Warning: Give a clear, gentle warning before any consequence.
- Empathy: Show understanding of their feelings.
- Distraction: Change the focus to something else.
- Picking Battles: Don’t make a big issue out of minor things.
- Visual Schedules: Use pictures to show daily routines.
- Encourage Independence: Let them try tasks on their own.
- Limit Choices: Too many options can be overwhelming.
- Clear Expectations: Set understandable limits.
- Respectful Communication: Talk to your child respectfully.
- Patience: Give them time to follow instructions.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Help them think of solutions.
- Visual Cues: Use simple signs or symbols to remind them of rules.
- Praise Effort: Acknowledge the effort, not just success.
- Cool-Down Time: Allow space and time to de-escalate emotions.
- Structured Play: Organize activities that have rules.
- Encourage Sharing: Promote taking turns and sharing.
- Validate Feelings: Acknowledge their feelings, even if you don’t agree.
- Routine Reminders: Gently remind them of what’s next.
- Consistent Bedtime: Ensure they get enough sleep.
- Use Humor: Lighten the mood with a bit of fun.
- Guided Choices: Steer them towards better choices.
- Stay Calm: Your calmness can help diffuse situations.
- Listening: Take time to listen to what they’re trying to say.
- Independence within Limits: Allow freedom within safe boundaries.
- Consequence Reminder: Gently remind them of the consequences of actions.
- Non-Verbal Cues: Use body language and facial expressions.
- Teach Apologies: Show them how to say sorry.
- Flexible Rules: Adjust rules as they grow and learn.
- Positive Attention: Give lots of hugs, kisses, and attention.
- Timeout Alternatives: Use other methods besides timeouts.
- Teach By Example: Show how to handle frustration.
- Minimize Power Struggles: Choose not to engage in every battle.
- Encourage Expression: Let them express feelings in appropriate ways.
- Personal Space: Give them their own space.
- Follow Through: If you set a rule, stick to it.
- Sensory Activities: Provide activities that engage their senses.
- Age-Appropriate Expectations: Understand what they can and can’t do.
- Minimize Temptations: Keep off-limits items out of sight.
- Family Time: Spend quality time together to build a positive relationship.
Disciplining your 18 to 24-month-old is a mix of strategy, patience, and a good sense of humor. Whether it’s through age-appropriate discipline techniques or understanding the nuances of your child’s development, remember that this phase is as fleeting as their attention span. So embrace the chaos, stock up on chocolate (for you, not them), and know that you’re not alone in the toddler taming trenches.
Keep these tips in hand, a smile on your face, and maybe a few extra spoons in the kitchen. Before you know it, you’ll be past the toddler stage and into… oh, let’s not think about that yet.
References
- A study examining positive reinforcement training (PRT) techniques highlighted their potential for reducing stress in the behavioral management of nonhuman primates, suggesting parallels in managing toddler behavior through positive reinforcement. The research demonstrated that PRT techniques could significantly affect physiological measures correlated with stress responses, indicating the effectiveness of positive approaches in behavior management (Lambeth et al., 2006).
- An investigation into the effectiveness of a positive parental practices training program for Chilean preschoolers’ families in a randomized controlled trial provided evidence supporting the use of positive parental training to promote positive parental practices and prevent child behavior problems. This study highlighted the benefits of such programs in reducing physical punishment and children’s behavioral problems, making it a promising strategy for prevention purposes (Rincón et al., 2018).
- Research on parent training of toddlers in daycare settings in low-income urban communities showed that direct parent training led to higher self-efficacy, less coercive discipline, and more positive behaviors among parents. This suggests the importance of involving parents directly in training programs to enhance toddler behavior management strategies (Gross et al., 2003).