Discipline for a 3 year old?

I am an experienced, qualified nanny, and the mum of a 3 year old boy and 2 younger girls, and I still struggle sometimes with managing behaviour! I don't think spanking harms children in any way, but I think it should be used as a last resort. In my experience, trying to reason with children of that age doesn't work. Because boys need so much stimulation, distraction can be quite a good technique for stopping mildly annoying/bad behaviour - get his attention onto something else and ask questions about it to encourage him to think and explore. If he only plays up when others are around, you could try maybe giving him a warning about his behaviour and then removing him from the room. Only allow him back in when he agrees to change his behaviour. Is he getting lots of exercise? I find with my boy, being so active, he plays up more when he is cooped up inside due to bad weather or something. Another idea to try is a star chart - encourage good behaviour by letting him earn stars, and after earning between 5 - 10 stars, he gets a reward. Another thought, which could be way off track.... when he plays up when others are around, is it because he is used to getting lots of attention and maybe isn't getting as much? Or possibly he's bored as your attention is directed elsewhere? If so, maybe try involving him a bit more somehow.... whatever you do, good luck! Parenting is a huge challenge at times!

Hey there I also use the 1 minute per year of life rule. It is a tough thing, but every time he gets up from a time out just take him back with out saying a word, eventually he will get it! Alot of it is the age and he will grow out of it, that I promise. But another suggestion for you is to maybe take him out to play groups, or even Mc Donalds with a play area, when you cna spend a morning or afternoon so he can interact with other kids and people. It may well be that he just is feeling overwhemed by other people in his routine. He may feel over stimulated when others are around because he is used to it being the two of you. Play/Pre schools are also a wonderful thing, and they can go as early as 3 years of age. This might be something for you to consider as well. It will give him a peer interaction and it will give you about 4 hours a week to have some time to yourself. Home this helps. God Bless!

My granddaughter is 2 1/2. I have a technique that I use with her, I like it but her father disagrees with me. He can't deny the results, though. My granddaughter gets a lot of attention and she doesn't always behave well when she is not on center stage. But, she is a fiend for chocolate pudding. So, before we have company or go out, I make a deal with her. If she behaves nicely, she can have pudding and watch Blue's Clues. If not, she has to rinse the pudding down the sink and then stand in the corner for 5 minutes. Also, I mention the "lesson" several more times and encourage her to respond. So far, she has only rinsed the pudding 2 or 3 times. Boy, does that make her mad! I have to remind her sometimes while we are out about the "pudding deal" and it's funny to see her straighten up her act. My son says that I am teaching her to be manipulative. I say that I am teaching her that every action has a reaction. If you want something positive, give something positive. All I know is, my system works and his system of scolding, doesn't. I don't want her to be a scheming manipulator but I do want her to understand that good behavior brings good results and bad behavior means no pudding. It's difficult with a child that young. You want to establish communication, honesty and discipline. I think a lot of her behavior is attributed to the fact that whomever's home she is visiting, she is the only toddler. Mine, her parents or her other grandparents. We have decided to send her to a preschool 2 mornings out of the week, just so she can learn to socialize and share the spotlight with others. She is an irresistable delight and I know that I spoil her rotten but I also know that ugly behavior, tantrums and the like will only hurt her in the long run. I recommend talking with him, explaining what your expectations are and establishing a reward/punishment system that he can understand and relate to. Also, you have to be firm and consistent. Above all, please, please, do not spank. He is the center of your life and it's not his fault that he doesn't understand that he is not the Lord of the Universe. Patience, mum.

me too i'm a young mother my son is turning 4 yrs old this june. we do a lots of thing like coloring teaching him how to read write.. i let him play with another kids..but my son acts much more hyper when stanger people around..maybe for them everytime they see people they tought they where another playmate... i think its natural for a 3 yrs old boy to act like that..

i think spanking is a bit too early for a 3 year old.i think u can go about it gradually.

Many children act up especially when we are in the company of others. They get jealous even though we lavish them with our attention. My children used to do this too. I used to tell them before hand what they should not do in front of others but when they are small they have very short memory. They are absolutely sure about us. They know we don't like to be insulted in front of others. So they try to blackmail us. So it is your turn to grow thick skin. Ignore him and tell him to play with himself. You should be firm enough. Also I feel children should be taught to be themselves. They should not need our company always or tv always.

actually its not fair to teach discipline at a young age as old as three...there must be a certain age to teach kids the right thing and bring them up in a flawless way....may be 5 is the perfect age to teach discipline to a kid where in the kidd starts going to school and tries to imply the things that he learnt at school at home and vice-versa......he/she may be a naughty kid but active kids are always healthy and intelligent................