| As your toddler grows and explores newer activities, | | | | motivate him or her to follow your commands. |
| you will find it necessary to teach your toddler to | | | | • Be committed: Stick by your words no matter |
| accept your authority when you communicate it to him. | | | | what. If you are not consistent and or give in too easily, |
| Let your toddler know you are the boss. The trick to | | | | chances are your toddler will not take you seriously. |
| disciplining your toddler is to be firm, yet gentle. | | | | • Practice what you preach: You should do this as |
| Remember, you are doing it for your toddler’s | | | | often as it is possible. If your toddler observes you |
| good. | | | | doing something that you defined as being incorrect, |
| Here are some tips to help you discipline your toddler in | | | | your toddler will not understand why there are |
| a positive way without being harsh or cruel: | | | | different rules for you. For example, try to use |
| • Give clear directives: Leave no room for | | | | “please” and “thank you” yourself while |
| miscommunication while giving instructions to your | | | | teaching your child. You may even give your toddler |
| toddler. | | | | the chance to correct you if you aren’t following |
| • Be practical: Have naturalistic expectations from | | | | the rules you’ve agreed on. |
| your toddler. Find out what is normal behavior for a | | | | • Understand the mental level of your toddler: You |
| toddler and set expectations that your toddler can | | | | need to explain to your toddler the consequences of |
| achieve with disciplined behavior. | | | | undisciplined behavior in a manner comprehensible to |
| • Find out what clicks for your toddler: If you know | | | | your toddler. |
| what is precious to your toddler, you can easily | | | | |