Tips for time-outs that work

Time-outs are a commonly used discipline tool, but many parents are confused about how to correctly use them. Pediatrician Tanya Remer Altmann, MD, talks about guidelines for the most effective time-outs.

Transcript

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Hi, I'm Dr. Altman. The timeout is an effective

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way to discipline children, it gives both the child and the parent a chance to decompress from a stressful event.

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Choose your timeouts wisely or they won't work, it's best to arrange your house in routine so you don't need too many timeouts.

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For example don't use the timeout when your child picks up the remote control, simply keep the remote control out of reach

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and choose one behavior at a time to work on such as hitting a sibling, that deserves a timeout.

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The perfect timeout works like this, teach your child that if she does something that you tell her not to you'll give her a warning and s slow count to three.

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Counting gives her a chance to stop what she's doing and correct her behavior, you can give a warning at one and another

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at two, at three the timeout starts. Have a designated timeout spot,

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make it a place with no distractions, it should be a boring place where your child won't want to be. Keep her there for a minute for each year of her age.

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A four-year old gets four minutes and so on. After your child serves her time explain why what she

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did was unacceptable and ask if she understands but don't make it a lecture, just state the facts.

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If you make time out, to habits that you child doesn't like she'll change the habit that got her there in the first place and don't forget to

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praise good behavior often and be a role model of good behavior yourself. I'm Dr. Altmann for more

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ways to raise happy healthy kids, check out all our smart tips right here. [MUSIC]