We all want children to learn limits and understand that certain behaviors are not acceptable, and we also want children to learn to regulate their emotions and ‘calm down.’
Unfortunately, time-outs don’t often accomplish those objectives long-term. Instead, children learn to stuff impulses and emotions deep inside in order to fit into a rigid set of rules.
Instead of leaving your child alone with their very big and hard-to-control emotions, you sit with them and scaffold self-regulation, while at the same time reinforcing limits.
1. The power of the pause.2. The strategy to reflect on their actions and try again.3. How to seek comfort and/or space when they have big feelings.4. The importance of repairing and empathizing with others.