no
  • 6012 W. William Cannon Dr., STE B-103 & 248 Addie Roy Rd, STE B-105
  • (512) 891-1500
image
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
    • Neuropsychological & Psychological Assessments
    • Austin Therapy
    • Educational Support
    • Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE)
    • Consultation
    • Psychology Presentations
  • Specializations
    • Emotional Well-Being
      • About Emotional Well-Being
      • Models of Therapy
      • Emotional Well-Being Assessments
      • Emotional Well-Being FAQ
      • Emotional Well-Being Book Recommendations
      • Emotional Well-Being Online & Community Resources
    • ADD/ADHD
      • About ADD/ADHD
      • ADD/ADHD Assessments
      • ADD/ADHD FAQ
      • ADD/ADHD Coaching
      • ADD/ADHD & School
      • ADD/ADHD Book Recommendations
      • ADD/ADHD Online & Community Resources
    • Dyslexia & Learning Disabilities
      • About Dyslexia & Learning Disabilities
      • Dyslexia & Learning Disabilities Assessments
      • Dyslexia FAQ
      • Dyslexia Book Recommendations
      • Dyslexia Online & Community Resources
    • Autism Spectrum Disorder
      • About Autism Spectrum Disorders
      • Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessments
      • Autism Spectrum Disorders FAQ
      • Autism Book Recommendations
      • Autism Online & Community Resources
    • Parenting
      • Parenting FAQ
      • Parenting Book Recommendations
      • Parenting Online & Community Resources
  • Psychologists
    • Dr. Mike Brooks
    • Dr. Lindsay Evans
    • Dr. Laura Frame
    • Dr. Jen Wehan
    • Dr. Melissa Case-Vincent
    • Dr. Kristen Ridley Beers
    • Dr. Lauren Gentry
    • Dr. Lindsay Heath
    • Dr. Korey Watkins
    • Dr. Stacey Bates
    • Christina Sabisch, LCSW
    • Dr. Bianca Watkins
  • Fees
  • Blog
  • FAQ
  • News
    • Employment
    • Post-Doctoral Resident Position
    • Practicum Student Opportunities
    • Training Opportunities
  • Contact

Preparation for Time-Out

October 29, 2014 by admin Leave a Comment

As I discussed in my last blog, decades of research have shown that, when used correctly, time-out is an effective discipline strategy for the majority of children. However, in order for it to be effective, parents need to be comfortable with the practice and have a clear understanding of when and how to use it. Below, I’ll walk you through the steps for using a time out effectively (specifically, with positive interactions and learning opportunities before and after). Proper preparation is essential for the effective use of a time-out.

With regard to the use of time-outs, it is important to embed them within a behavioral approach that establishes clear and consistent rules, offer numerous opportunities for praise and reward, and use them sparingly. Time-out does not work by itself, but must be preceded and followed by positive interactions between parent and child that allow for continued learning and development of new self-control skills. For a great blog on the importance of balancing positive/negative interactions with your child, see Dr. Brooks’s recent post on the “magic ratio” in parenting.

Preparation for Time-Out

Establish What Behaviors Warrant Time-Out:
For minor misbehavior, ignoring and re-direction are often effective methods. However, a time-out may be a good response for more serious behavior, such as:

  • Dangerous behavior (like running away from you in a store)
  • Aggressive behavior (such as biting or hitting another child)
  • Breaking a family rule or not following a parent’s directions after a warning

Picture Time Out IDevelop Family Rules:
Prior to using a time-out, it is important to first work with your child to develop clear, age-appropriate house/family rules. Family rules are for behaviors that are never OK. For younger children, it is often helpful to make the rules concrete and to limit the list to 3-4 family rules (e.g., be gentle and safe –no hitting or hurting someone else; use nice words – no name-calling or yelling; follow parents’ directions). The entire family can work together to create this list, and children might enjoy decorating a visual chart to post in the house.

Explain and Demonstrate Consequences:
After your child has a clear understanding of the rules, it is important to explain the consequences of breaking a rule. Explain to your child that consequences may include losing a privilege or reward or having to go to time-out. It is also a good idea to have a spot in mind, such as a chair, for time-out. Here are some tips for choosing an effective time-out spot.

Once you are familiar with the steps of time-out (which we’ll discuss in-depth in our next blog), introduce time-out to your child by explaining when it will happen and role-playing the process with a stuffed animal. Walk through each of the steps of time-out using “Mr. Bear” as the child. Allow the child to practice a few times on their own, reminding him why Mr. Bear is being praised and/or given a warning and time-out. Walking through the process will ensure that your child has a clear understanding of time-out before it is ever used.

Next up, we’ll discuss carrying-out an effective time out and provide some video examples.

Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: child, children, discipline, effective, family rules, time out

« Time-Out! Are Parents Hurting Children With Them?
Steps for an Effective Time-Out »

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get Started

Contact us to request more information or schedule an appointment.

Recent Posts

  • Mourning the Loss of Senior YearMay 18, 2020
  • How to Talk to Your Child About FriendsMay 12, 2020
  • Do You Need a Parent Time Out?May 04, 2020

Contact Information

  • Office #: (512) 891-1500
  • Fax: (512) 857-7679
  • Email: info@apacenter.com.

APACenter, Southwest Austin

  • Address: 6012 W.William Cannon Dr. Ste. B-103
  • Location : Austin,78749
  • Phone: 512-891-1500
  • Email: info@apacenter.com.

APACenter, Westlake

  • Address: 248 Addie Roy Rd, Ste B-105
  • Location : Austin, TX 78746
  • Phone: 512-891-1500
  • Email: info@apacenter.com

Latest Tweets

  • Error: Could not authenticate you.

Avatars by Sterling Adventures

Our Location

Contact Information

  • 6012 W William Cannon Dr B-103, Austin, TX 78749
  • +1 512-891-1500
  • www.apacenter.com

Opening hours

  • Mon - Fri   8:30 am to 7pm
  • Sat   8:30 am to 2pm
  • Sunday   Closed

Copyright © 2013-2025 APACenter

  • Community Resources
  • Privacy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
    • Neuropsychological & Psychological Assessments
    • Austin Therapy
    • Educational Support
    • Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE)
    • Consultation
    • Psychology Presentations
  • Specializations
    • Emotional Well-Being
      • About Emotional Well-Being
      • Models of Therapy
      • Emotional Well-Being Assessments
      • Emotional Well-Being FAQ
      • Emotional Well-Being Book Recommendations
      • Emotional Well-Being Online & Community Resources
    • ADD/ADHD
      • About ADD/ADHD
      • ADD/ADHD Assessments
      • ADD/ADHD FAQ
      • ADD/ADHD Coaching
      • ADD/ADHD & School
      • ADD/ADHD Book Recommendations
      • ADD/ADHD Online & Community Resources
    • Dyslexia & Learning Disabilities
      • About Dyslexia & Learning Disabilities
      • Dyslexia & Learning Disabilities Assessments
      • Dyslexia FAQ
      • Dyslexia Book Recommendations
      • Dyslexia Online & Community Resources
    • Autism Spectrum Disorder
      • About Autism Spectrum Disorders
      • Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessments
      • Autism Spectrum Disorders FAQ
      • Autism Book Recommendations
      • Autism Online & Community Resources
    • Parenting
      • Parenting FAQ
      • Parenting Book Recommendations
      • Parenting Online & Community Resources
  • Psychologists
    • Dr. Mike Brooks
    • Dr. Lindsay Evans
    • Dr. Laura Frame
    • Dr. Jen Wehan
    • Dr. Melissa Case-Vincent
    • Dr. Kristen Ridley Beers
    • Dr. Lauren Gentry
    • Dr. Lindsay Heath
    • Dr. Korey Watkins
    • Dr. Stacey Bates
    • Christina Sabisch, LCSW
    • Dr. Bianca Watkins
  • Fees
  • Blog
  • FAQ
  • News
    • Employment
    • Post-Doctoral Resident Position
    • Practicum Student Opportunities
    • Training Opportunities
  • Contact