At what age is timeout appropriate?
Vergie Murray
2025-07-21 13:14:48
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Time-outs can be a useful way to remove children from a situation in which they aren’t able to control their actions. These are generally recommended from about 18 months old and up, when toddlers start to understand there can be consequences for their actions. Time-outs should last no longer than 1 minute per year of age. An 18-month-old, therefore, needs no more than a minute and a half of time-out. Designate a brief time-out period, usually a minute per year of age. Time-outs should be used for calming down, rather than as punishment.
Charles McKenzie
2025-07-21 12:17:34
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Time out works for children over 3 years old. Time out doesn't work for children under 3 years old as they are not developmentally ready. For toddlers, it is best to try distraction and redirection instead. One minute for each year of your child's age is enough. It should be a maximum of five minutes. Time out works best when your child knows what to expect. Time out works best when you use it with lots of praise for good behaviour. Time out should be used sparingly for behaviours that can’t be ignored.
Jadyn Stoltenberg
2025-07-21 12:15:17
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Time-out can be used to help correct misbehaviors. Time-out usually lasts between two and five minutes for toddlers and preschoolers. A good rule is to give one minute of time-out for every year of the child's age. This means that a 2-year-old would sit in time-out for two minutes, and a 3-year-old would have a three-minute time-out. Time-out may be hard at first, and you may need to practice before you feel comfortable. Remember it is helpful to practice what will happen in a time-out with your child before you need to use it. Getting children to sit in time-out is sometimes easier said than done. If your child gets out of the time-out space, put them back and do not talk to your child. When you first use time-out, you may have to return your child to time-out several times.