When is a good age to start teaching discipline, like NO don't play with that ETC.?

Question

My son is 7 1/2 months old. He is crawling and getting into everything. I will tell him NO you can't play with the computer cords and put him next to his toys and distract him and he goes right back to it. Or tapping his hand every time he reaches for something. I don't know if he is old enough to understand that or the emotion or if its too early to expect it???? This is my first child. He is really smart. He already says Mama and Daddy. Among other gibberish. He knows what he is saying, he looks right at us when he is saying it.

boystownhotline · Answer

Your son is young, but he can still learn and understand discipline. He most likely will not understand the words at this point in his life, but he will understand your tone of voice. By saying "no" firmly and strongly, he will pick up that what he is doing is not acceptable. You are doing everything right--telling him no strongly, and moving him/distracting him with other toys. Good job!! He is still curious and will most likely keep going back to touch the cords, touch thing he shouldn't, etc. Just keep distracting him with other toys or moving him to a different location. He will slowly begin to understand. Good luck!!

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LadyLuck_J.D. · Answer

"When is a good age to start teaching discipline, like NO don't play with that ETC.?"
As soon as they start reaching for things they shouldn't have.
At his age he's not anywhere near old enough for punishments or discipline but he is old enough for a good stern NO! and good stern NO! parent face.  Start using one specific word for when he gets hurt (Owies or BooBoo or the like) and equate that word to when he's reaching for something that may possibly hurt him.  If he bumps his head and cries say OWIE and when he reaches for something like power cords pull him away with a stern NO!, point to the power cord (just using that since you did LOL) and say OWIE!.  
Really so much of it is about repetition.  It's the over and over act that helps them know wrong from  right and safe from not safe.  Also when he's not going for the forbidden items just ignore them.  The more you focus on it the more he will.  Act like it's not even there until he goes for it. 
He's young but he'll pick up eventually.

? · Answer

It's never too early to say no, even if they don't get it or don't remember.  Babies have one track minds.  He likes the cords is there any way you can bind them up put a cover over them?

Mom of 3 · Answer

I think you're doing the right thing by redirecting him when he touches things he shouldn't. It's too early to expect him to be compliant though. Here's some info on child discipline that may be helpful:
 http://www.parenting-advice-in-action.com/child-discipline.html

? · Answer

At 7.5 months, your tone of voice will be more understandable to him than the words you speak. Try saying NO with a firm voice with a negative nod of your head. Hope he gets the picture. :)

Anonymous · Answer

It's not really ever too young to teach a baby not to do something. People do fine with training puppies and kittens, do they not?

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When is a good age to start teaching discipline, like NO don't play with that ETC.?

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