Time Outs

[littlemisssunshine]

Dp you use them? And what do you consider one? Corner ?

[Truly Scrumptious]

I use "time away"....it's not in any certain place...it may be on the couch with some books....sitting quietly alone at the art table with art materials...etc. I use it when I have a child that is having a hard time with a certain behavior that day or when I have a child that's being rowdy and needs a chance to calm down. happyface

I also have a "cozy box"...I use it for children who are upset and/or throwing a tantrum ....they go into the cozy box and can return to the group when they are quiet and no longer upset.

[Kiki]

I also have a "cozy box"...I use it for children who are upset and/or throwing a tantrum ....they go into the cozy box and can return to the group when they are quiet and no longer upset.

Does it have a lid!? :: ::

We have a red chair here that is our time away chair, I just tell whoever needs to use it that they need to get the red chair and take a break for a minute. They usually just put it by the stairs where they can still see the action but take a breath at the same time.

[Truly Scrumptious]

Does it have a lid!? :: ::

We have a red chair here that is our time away chair, I just tell whoever needs to use it that they need to get the red chair and take a break for a minute. They usually just put it by the stairs where they can still see the action but take a breath at the same time.

That's a good one!!:: Sometimes I wish it did have a lid!!

[Heidi]

I finally settled on the bottom step, because I have one both inside and outside. It's just a chill-spot. Whether it's a temper tantrum, yelling at me, hitting someone, fighting, or whatever, I just take their hand gently, and say "I'd like you sit here a few minutes and calm down, When you are ready to be kind (or whatever applies), you can come back and play with your friends"

Then I walk away, and they usually sit there less than a minute. No attention...no fun.

I don't call it a "time-out" or determine the length of time. Our state licensing says we can't use time-outs for children under 3. Might as well forget it then-it's too late to introduce that "technique".

This is working very well for the group I have now. DCB was mad about something he couldn't have earlier, and I sat him down, but let him keep the bunny he was holding. I try to keep in non-confrontational and matter-of-fact, not being punitive. Occasionally, one of the kids even goes there by themselves!

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Our state licensing allows time outs. 1 minute per year.

I used to never use time outs. Then I got some children that wouldn't respond to anything else.

It is a spot on the floor by the Lakeshore bookcase. They pick a book and sit. Sometimes, when they recognize that they're about to react out of anger they'll take themselves there and get a book just to calm down. It's a very relaxing, calm spot.

[Sunchimes]

I started with a Crying Quilt (thank you to the person who gave me that idea) when they were very small. At almost 2, I have expanded it to a place to go when they need a moment. If they hit, or take away a toy over and over and over, or have a little tantrum, I just tell them to go sit on the quilt. Sometimes, when they know they've messed up they will droop their little shoulders and stalk over there on their own. ::

They know they can get up at any time, but sometimes I'll realize they have been there a couple of minutes, so I'll go sit with them to have a talk.

Funny thing is that a lot of time, the comforter (quilt) isn't even in it's place and is being used as a play house or drug into the reading corner. They still go to the same spot to cry.

[Truly Scrumptious]

I started with a Crying Quilt (thank you to the person who gave me that idea) when they were very small. At almost 2, I have expanded it to a place to go when they need a moment. If they hit, or take away a toy over and over and over, or have a little tantrum, I just tell them to go sit on the quilt. Sometimes, when they know they've messed up they will droop their little shoulders and stalk over there on their own. ::

They know they can get up at any time, but sometimes I'll realize they have been there a couple of minutes, so I'll go sit with them to have a talk.

Funny thing is that a lot of time, the comforter (quilt) isn't even in it's place and is being used as a play house or drug into the reading corner. They still go to the same spot to cry.

A few years ago I attended a training taught by Madeline Swift (she wrote a wonderful book on discipline called "Getting It Right with Children") anyway, she told us about a provider that took an old pair of overalls and a shirt, stuffed them, put them together and propped them in a corner of her daycare....she called it "Grandpa's Lap"...anytime her children are sad or upset, she tells them to go sit with "Grandpa" until they feel better. I always meant to make me a Grandpa, just never got around to it...but I thought it was cute!

[mac60]

Time outs are not for kids, they are for the adult in charge to get the misbehaving child out of the mix for a bit.

[Sunchimes]

Time outs are not for kids, they are for the adult in charge to get the misbehaving child out of the mix for a bit.

::::::

Edited because I just realized I mis-read this. I thought it said they were for the adult to get out of the mix a bit. Which certainly works for me!

[Blackcat31]

I don't think I have ever used a time out. We use a "why don't you go find something else to do since you are _______" kind of a method instead.

We are a play-based child care so although our day is very routine, it isn't strict or structured. My DCK's all play in groups of 2 or 3 while I interact/facilitate/supervise them. We also do several large group acitivites that involve everyone at the same time. If anyone is exhibiting a negative or bad behavior, they are asked to go find something else to do.

So far (20 years) it seems to work great for me. I very rarely have repeat offenders (at least they don't repeat the same "negative behaviors") and generally I have been fortunate enough to have some pretty great kids and very involved/supportive families.

[Truly Scrumptious]

I don't think I have ever used a time out. We use a "why don't you go find something else to do since you are _______" kind of a method instead.

We are a play-based child care so although our day is very routine, it isn't strict or structured. My DCK's all play in groups of 2 or 3 while I interact/facilitate/supervise them. We also do several large group acitivites that involve everyone at the same time. If anyone is exhibiting a negative or bad behavior, they are asked to go find something else to do.

So far (20 years) it seems to work great for me. I very rarely have repeat offenders (at least they don't repeat the same "negative behaviors") and generally I have been fortunate enough to have some pretty great kids and very involved/supportive families.

I used time out years ago when I first got licensed, because I didn't know any other way. But, after many years of training and realizing there is a better and easier way, I changed that. The method I use now sounds very simular to the one you've described. The kids do respond to it well. Of course I do have those horrible days that the cozy box comes in handy.

[Unregistered]

I have a cozy box as well.. I've had kids get upset before and I'll ask them if they think they need to go to the cozy box for awhile until they calm down. What so cool is when they answer yes , go get in it and just chill until their ready to come and play again.. Love It !