In the second year of life, children become little explorers, discovering both the environment and the limits of your patience, touching and playing with everything they have at hand. One-year-olds are difficult to educate because they don't understand cause / effect, but disciplinary measures must be taken at this level. Read on to learn more.
NOTE: this guide is aimed at both fathers and mothers and is valid for children of both genders. For convenience, however, we will always turn to the masculine.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Establishing the Rules
Step 1. Get to know your baby
Most one-year-olds share the same characteristics, but each child is unique. To educate your child well, you need to understand their behavior and learn to predict their reactions. Notice what they like and don't like.
Step 2. Establish simple rules
One-year-olds are unable to obey complicated rules, so establish a set of simple safety-related rules. Have reasonable expectations - your baby is still very young.
Step 3. Introduce consequences
It's hard to explain cause / effect to a one-year-old, but now is the time to start trying. Explain the positive consequences, and reward good behaviors. Plus, explain the negative consequences, and punish (in an age-appropriate way) bad behavior.
Step 4. Be consistent
Your one-year-old won't learn the rules if they change from day to day. Apply them consistently.
Both parents must apply the rules if the child is to learn them. Make sure you and your partner agree on this
Part 2 of 3: Educating the Child
Step 1. Work on teaching rather than punishment
A one-year-old child does not understand the concept of punishment because he has not yet grasped the concept of cause / effect. With a lot of repetition, however, he can begin to understand the rules and learn the lessons.
Step 2. Teach the child to interact with other people
Children can begin to learn, at this level, that their behavior affects other people. For example, a one-year-old may learn through repetition that throwing food makes you angry. Explain these dynamics to him as often as possible, in a calm way.
Step 3. Insist on safety
Since a one-year-old cannot be expected to follow so many rules, focus on those related to safety. Explain dangerous situations when they arise, and set the rules. The child may begin to learn that safety rules are non-negotiable.
Step 4. Encourage positive behaviors
Children often learn more from rewards than from punishment. Compliment the baby every time he behaves well. One-year-olds can learn to repeat the behaviors that make their parents happy.
Step 5. Listen to your baby
Whether or not he can use words, he still communicates with you. Pay attention to their moods and behaviors, and change your approach if necessary.
To better communicate with a one-year-old, look him in the eye and pay attention to his signals. Try using simple sign language as well
Step 6. Create a suitable environment for him
Remove the objects it shouldn't touch. It would be a losing battle to expect a one-year-old to not touch dozens of prohibited items within reach.
Step 7. Offer alternatives
If the child touches something that goes against the rules, don't punish him right away. Instead, offer them an alternative: children are easily distracted by other more interesting and safer games. Punish him only if the negative behavior persists.
Step 8. Explain the reasons for the rules
A one-year-old may not be able to fully understand you, but you still need to explain the reasons why a certain thing shouldn't be done. Repeat these explanations frequently.
Step 9. Stay calm
No matter how frustrating it is, take a deep breath and stay calm. Children are more ready to listen if you are calm and rational.
Step 10. Choose your battles
Discipline is important, but a one-year-old can only follow a certain number of rules. Be consistent with those related to safety, but know that you can't always "win" over other things. A little food on her clothes or on the floor isn't a big deal, and neither is a cookie or a piece of cake every now and then.
Part 3 of 3: Avoiding the Most Common Traps
Step 1. Try to anticipate and meet the baby's needs
It is difficult to get good behavior from a one-year-old, but it becomes almost impossible if he is very tired, hungry, thirsty or nervous. Anticipate his needs, and you'll have a better chance of seeing him perform well.
Step 2. Try to relieve situations that make the child uncomfortable
If you notice, you will notice how certain situations make him uncomfortable and make him more likely to misbehave. Avoid these situations whenever possible, and if that's not possible, try to help him by bringing his favorite game with you or keeping him busy with a song or snack.
Step 3. Avoid yelling
One-year-olds don't understand cause and effect well, and screaming scares them and makes them uncomfortable. This way he will only learn to be afraid of you but not necessarily how to behave.
Step 4. Don't tell your baby "bad"
Emphasize positive behaviors, and when you need to call his attention to negative ones, make sure you don't tell him he's "bad." One-year-olds are learning how the world works. They are not "bad" - they just don't know how else to do it.
Step 5. Use "no" in moderation
For the word "no" to have maximum impact, save it for when it is really needed - for example, if the child does something dangerous. Otherwise, articulate the sentence in a positive sense: you can say "color on the paper!" instead of “No! Don't paint on the wall!”.
Step 6. Spend a lot of time and attention on the baby when he behaves well
If you only pay attention to him when he does something wrong or dangerous, he will learn that this is the way to get involved. Spend time learning, playing, and exploring with him when he is doing well.
Advice
- One-year-olds can be maddening. If you are worried about losing your temper, try to take a break. Breathe deeply and relax. Yelling at the baby only makes the situation worse.
- Remember that these first years will pass! Preschoolers are much more capable of following the rules.
Sources and Citations (in English)
- https://www.kidspot.com.au/Toddler-Behaviour-Discipline-1---3-years+95+27+article.htm
- https://life.familyeducation.com/baby/discipline/44249.html#ixzz300mm38l9
- https://life.familyeducation.com/baby/discipline/44249.html#ixzz300n176VF
- https://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/956627/disciplining-kids
- https://drjamesdobson.org/Solid-Answers/Answers?a=b11a7d5f-12de-43df-8aa0-5f2a814b33aa
- https://www.webmd.com/parenting/guide/7-secrets-of-toddler-discipline?page=3
