Time-outs for children are a common form of punishment parents use when their children are acting out. But how effective is it? This is an interesting article on the implementation of time-outs and the common mistakes parents make when implementing them.
Here is an excerpt of the article:
“Time-out is based on removing positive reinforcement such as social attention and access to physical objects. Evidence shows it is effective in reducing behaviors such as aggression and noncompliance. It also is the most widely used disciplinary method among parents and is commonly recommended by primary care providers.
The authors of this study, however, noted that many parents report the procedure does not work. Therefore, they set out to determine how parents use time-outs.
Parents who visited a primary care clinic were recruited to complete a survey that asked about their discipline practices, how difficult it was to manage their child’s behavior, perception of time-out and how they implemented the procedure.”
If your children receive time-outs for misbehaving, you may want to consider reading the linked article (above) for more understanding on the punishment so it can be as effective as possible. At Beach Kids Pediatrics, we love to see all children succeed.
