Behavior training for babies

Chatty - posted on 04/18/2010

Thanks Laura, that's a really good point!

Laura - posted on 04/18/2010

While children are acquiring language, it is interesting to note that they have a more difficult time understanding and processing negative things. It is easier for everyone, but particularly children to process positive statement. So, instead of "Don't touch the TV" try saying "only look" or "Touch the cabinet with 2 fingers" or saying "This is yours" while redirecting to an appropriate thing to touch.

Saying "don't touch the TV" to a 3 year old is like saying "Touch the TV" as they do not yet have the capacity to process the "don't". They aren't being defiant. It's hard to change your commands, but it works. Stating things in the positive really helps! Obviously there are safety issues where NO will still be important, it doesn't replace all NOs.

Chatty - posted on 04/18/2010

Sorry, I guess I should have read the other comments first.....LOL!

Amy brought up a good point and it's exactly what I was trying to say at the end of my first post! Babies, toddlers etc. are explorers.....that's how they learn! You want to let them explore as much as possible and that's what I meant about not abusing the " NO'S! ".......only use it when they're doing something ur absolutely adament they don't do OR they're in harms way! If you're constantly telling them " NO! " for every lil' thing it won't be affective anymore after a while!

Chatty - posted on 04/18/2010

Sounds to me like you're doing everything right! That's exactly what I did and now at 19 months all I have to do is say " NO! " firmly and 95% of the time Roxanne listens to me......if she doesn't listen to the first warning then I do 1...2....and before I get to 3 she's stopped whatever it was that she was doing or about to do! You're right by starting at a young age and the only advise I can think of is to keep it up and be consistent......eventually, as ur son grows he'll understand more and learn what things are acceptable and what aren't and at the very least he'll be used to hearing, " NO! " followed by other instructions......don't forget to keep it simple and don't abuse the " NO'S! ".....LOL! If you say it too often it won't be affective......only use it when absolutely necessary so he knows you mean business! ie. when he's around a hot stove etc.......

good luck!

Amie - posted on 04/18/2010

We put the kids living room toy bin in front of the entertainment center. So even if they do go for it, they get distracted by their toys before they touch it.

Once they were older it was easier to teach them to not touch since they could understand a bit more of what we were saying.

Amy - posted on 04/17/2010

Distraction is your best friend with infants and toddlers. They are natural explorers and will not understand why they cannot touch something. If something is unsafe for you baby, move it. You cannot really train a baby to not touch things. It is naturally how they learn, by touching, seeing, smelling and of course, mouthing. Have plenty of things for your baby to do and play with. If they have areas that they can freely explore, it will save you a lot of headache! Anything in low cupboards, or shelves should be safe for your baby. Also think about introducing new items often. Even household things, such as plastic bowls and spoons for banging. Let him explore low drawers by keeping your dish towels or even fun surprises for baby in it. Babies also like to dump things out. Have baskets and buckets available that hold different types of things for baby to explore. He will love to dump and fill! Have fun.

Pooja - posted on 04/13/2010

We faced this issue when my kid was learning to walk, somehow our TV cabinet was his favorite.. Initially I use to tell him No, but sooner he realized that its a nice trick to pull mommies attention. He is scared of touching hot things, once he touched his dad's coffee mug and now if we tell him that something is hot, he doesn't touch it. We did the same for TV cabinet as well. Now he keeps away from it

Meghan - posted on 04/12/2010

I started telling my son ouch and hot really early. LOL, poor kid, whenever he goes near a dvd player he says hot.. my mom redid the kitchen and didnt want to put locks on her new doors and drawers so we just went and bought a babygate. Some things are just not worth the battle, and I cant wait until he is 2 or 3 and just outgrows it-had to clean up waaay too many piles of flour and noodles. I dont think there is a real way of keeping curious hands away from everything. Just be firm and consistant and it will get better.

Cori - posted on 04/10/2010

He is starting to stop touching it without having to be moved away. Of course he likes to voice his discontent to do so. I usually get a little yell and then he'll sit down and play with something else.

Nikki - posted on 04/10/2010

Haven't reached this fine age with my daughter as of yet, I remember everytime I would go to use the old VCR as a teenager my toddler twin brothers had managed to shove half of their morning toast inside!

At that age, babies learn through repetition, so as frustrating as it can be and although you may sound like a broken record, it is just a matter of consistently responding to the behaviour each time, or redirecting the child to something else. If it was me, I tend to like the "Stop" approach with a hand signal, in a moderately stern tone, then move him to something else.

Jessica - posted on 04/09/2010

That's pretty much what we're doing with our 10 month old too. Tell him no with a serious tone of voice, move him away, give him something else. Seems to be working so far, or maybe he just hasn't been pushing the issue much yet, lol.