In the past, parental scolding did not lead to distancing between the parents and children. In a joint family, if one family member scolded the child, then another member would often step in to offer comfort and guidance. But, now that times have changed, with the decline of joint families and increasing parental busyness, children are suffering the most. They often lack quality time with their parents. In such a situation, if the parents scold or beat them for small mistakes, then it feels devastating. The time-out technique is becoming a valuable tool for parents to discipline their children.
What Is the Time-out Technique?
Time-out means the time when children get a chance to think and introspect alone. In parenting, it is like a kind of extra time in which if children make a mistake, then instead of scolding them or fighting with them, it is better to give them a chance to sit quietly and think for some time in a secluded place. This should be a fixed place where there are neither toys nor any family members for distraction.
Benefits of the Technique
Research by the Child Mind Institute has found that this technique is not meant for emotional confrontation with the child, but rather it gives both parties a chance to calm themselves down, control their behaviour and regulate their emotions. Due to this children start learning to control their behaviour without getting frustrated and that too without anger or panic.
Time-out rules
Inform the child beforehand that bad behaviour is intolerable. Avoid doing this as much as possible.
Before following the time-out technique, explain to the child that this is not being done to punish but to teach.
You can tell the child, “No fighting or quarrelling, go and spend the time for a time-out. First, calm down, then we will talk further.”
When the time out is over, first cuddle the child lovingly and try to improve the environment. Tell them that we can do everything in a calm and better way.
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