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To make a behavior stop immediately, you may use the time-out method, where the
children are first told what kind of behaviors (such as tantrums, violence, or
running out on roads alone) can result in a time-out. Here are some tips to make
time-out effective corrective action and a real punishment for the child and yet
not traumatize the child (for surely this is not what we are aiming at):
* Be calm and do not look angry or you may have to face power-struggles later.
* Be sure to be nearby during the time-out period, within the hearing range of
the child and where the child can see you but don’t talk to him and keep
ignoring him until the time-out period gets over.
* Children can be made to sit on a chair in a corner with no interesting views
or in the playpen during the time-out.
* Children should clearly understand that if they repeat any of the forbidden
behaviors, then they have to go to time-out in a place, which is not frightening
for them but is quite uninteresting and boring for them.
* If the child leaves the time-out period without your permission, you may
consider resetting the timer.
* Make sure that time-outs are not too extended and 1 minute for each year of
age is usually the appropriate time in the beginning, which may start
immediately after reaching the time-out place or after the child calms down.
* Toys, TV, phone, computers, videogames, storybooks and talking to others are
not allowed during the ‘time-out’ and everyone has to just ignore the child
during the pre-set time.
* When you are outdoors, give and warning first and then you may use the car as
a time-out place for the unacceptable behavior.
* You may set the timer to let the child know when the time-out is over.
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