EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY CENTER
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Are Time Outs Harmful to Children?​

Most parents have used time outs when their kid acts out. But some people think time outs are punishments that leave kids to deal with hard emotions by themselves. Instead, they like “time ins.”
​This is when the parent or caregiver shows love for the child and makes them feel understood as they calm down.
Both of these can be useful for parents at different times. The idea behind time outs is that when kids stop getting attention for bad behavior, they will be less likely to do it again. By taking away the attention, the child learns that throwing a tantrum isn’t going to get them what they want. Experts say that time outs are not harmful.

For time outs to be a success, they should be as short as possible. One guideline is 1 minute per year of the child’s age. Some experts say the maximum should be just 3 minutes. They’re most helpful for kids ages 2 to 8. The child needs to know exactly what led to the time out, and it should happen every time that behavior happens. A time out should end with a hug from a parent.
Trying to have a conversation or “time in” with the child in the moment when the child is acting out can lead to arguing. It’s usually more helpful to discuss what happened and other ways to handle strong feelings later, when the child is calm. And heaping on the praise when your child behaves well is even more important.

​Finally, it’s important for parents to know that changes in behavior don’t happen overnight. It takes time and there will probably be setbacks along the way. That’s stressful for parents, but if you stick to the plan, things will get better.
This information and more can be found on the following website.
​Are Time Outs Harmful? | Pros and Cons of Time Outs (childmind.org)
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  • Home
  • About EFC
    • Meet the Staff
    • Meet the Board Members
    • Meet the Volunteers
  • Early Start
    • Early Start Resource Staff
    • Exceptional Family Events
    • Early Start (Intervención temprana)
  • Services
    • Community Navigator Program
    • Annual Conference
    • Clubs
    • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • EFC Events
  • Event Photos
  • Story Time With EFC
  • Monthly Newsletters
    • Newsletter-Español
  • Topics A‑Z
    • Autism: What are the symptoms?
    • Anxiety log to find out why your child gets anxious
    • Angry Kids: Dealing With Explosive Behavior
    • Are Time Outs Harmful to Children?
    • 8 Ways to Build a Strong, Loving Bond With Your Autistic Child
    • Homemade bedtime schedule for kids can be a powerful visual reminder
    • Managing problem behavior at home
    • Social Challenges of Kids With Learning Problems
    • Quick Facts on Selective Mutism
    • 5 Tips for Talking to Patients with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
    • Overcoming obstacles while traveling with people who have ASD
    • Did you know the signals of depression on kids/teenagers?
    • How to Make the Most of Your IEP meeting
    • Helping Kids Dare to Share/Ayude a los niños a atreverse a hablar
    • Advice for kids​/Consejos para niños ​
  • Contact Us
  • Referral Services