Time Out - A Guideline

Lost Concept
The original concept of time out may have been lost and parents and care givers tend to overuse it, especially on younger children. Originally a time out simply meant not responding to a child's negative behavior. Now it usually involves having a child sit alone in his room or on a designated children's time out chair for a certain length of time.

Use Sparingly

However if used sparingly and in the right situations, giving a child a time out can be an effective technique. Remember that toddlers are most likely to act out when they're tired, hungry or sick, so reserve the time out chair for specific situations--not because its nap time and you decided to grocery shop!

For Preschoolers
Once your child is around three years old, the time out chair becomes more effective. Preschoolers are better able to understand when they've done something wrong and that time outs are a form of punishment. Here is a guideline for handling time outs for preschool age kids:

• Use a time out chair when your child is intentionally doing something you've forbidden.
• Give your child one warning that if he or she continues the behavior, he or she will sit in the time out chair.
• Choose a specific time out chair or area, ideally a place where there are no distractions.
• When your child starts the forbidden behavior again, send him or her immediately to the designated time out chair for a specific time; usually one or two minutes.
• Place a timer or clock near the time out chair so you both can watch the time.
• If he or she screams or cries, reset the timer.
• Be consistent in enforcing the time out chair for specific behaviors.

Remember using a time out chair simply means that you're removing your child from a situation that is either dangerous or frustrating for a few minutes. A brief isolation in a time out chair where your child doesn't have access to toys or attention can help him or her regroup.