Behavior Tips

Use a toy, story, or song to distract child’s attention.

EXAMPLE: Sara, 2, cries when her mother leaves. The Safe Sitter® picks up Sara’s stuffed bear and sings while she makes the bear dance. Sara is entertained; she doesn’t notice that her mother left.

Offer the child acceptable choices while still insisting on what needs to be done.

EXAMPLE: Denzel, 4, takes a ball from his brother. The Safe Sitter® says, “You need to give the ball back to your brother. Do you want me to hand it to him or would you like to?”

Turn something that needs to be done into a game.

EXAMPLE: Jacob, 3, doesn’t want to pick up his toys. The Safe Sitter® says, “You pick up the toys on one side of the room, and I’ll pick up the toys on the other side and we’ll see who gets done first.”

Promise something the child wants to do after the child does something they do not want to do.

EXAMPLE: Ella, 6, doesn’t want to get ready for bed. The Safe Sitter® says, “When you put on your pajamas, then we’ll read your favorite book.”

Take a Break/Start Over is a way to help stop problem behavior and help a child get back in control. Taking a break allows time for the child to think about their behavior. Break time should be short—1 minute for each year of the child’s age. Break time can be time sitting in a chair, time without a toy, or time without television. It helps to separate the child from other children. Never put the child in the dark. Also, this tip should not be used for a child under 2. When break time has ended, help the child return to play by saying, “Okay, let’s start over.”

EXAMPLE: Carlos, 3, is playing rough with a toy car. The Safe Sitter® warns him to stop but he doesn’t. The Safe Sitter® says, “Stop or I’ll put the car away.” He still doesn’t stop. The Safe Sitter® tells Carlos he needs to take a break from playing with the car and puts the car out of his reach for three minutes. After three minutes, the Safe Sitter® gives Carlos his car and says, “Okay, let’s start over.”